Parkerized Pre-Victories?

[Arisaka99]

Hi folks. Based on the refinished (buffed and blued) OSS gun thread from this weekend, and the resulting finish discussions, here is a topic to add to the group. I have two pre-Victory revolvers that have a distinctly different finish than all my others or the ones I have handled. The finish is smoother and several shades lighter than the normal "charcoal" color seen on Victory revolvers. It is a flat, smooth gray phosphate that matches several other WWII era weapons I own, and I believe both to be part of the small parkerized run for the US Maritime Comission. One is lettered (although the 1990s letter shows it as blued which it clearly isn't) and the other I haven't lettered yet although it has all the hallmarks (lack of US Property or military acceptance proofs on top strap, butt, or frame) that show it to be a probable DSC gun. Both have the exact same finish profile with blued small parts (ejector and rod, screws, cylinder release, mainspring). All matching numbers (both sets), no signs of refinish with deep and crisp markings. Opinions and expertise appreciated in advance. SNs are 987617 (lettered) and 997740. I have included a photo of the lettered one with a "black magic" example SN V4302 to show the contrast in the finish.

SN 987617

Shown with V4302





SN 997740

 

[DARE]

I see your guns are close in serial number and at the end of the pre-victory numbers. I think it is acknowledged that there were some guns parkerized. Does anyone know what serial number range for those guns? Think we need ordnanceguy to weigh in.

 

[DWalt]

Some few were Parkerized, but I do not remember seeing specific SNs, other than that they were early wartime pre-Victories. 997740 and 987617 would qualify.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I think it is acknowledged that there were some guns parkerized. Does anyone know what serial number range for those guns? Think we need ordnanceguy to weigh in.

Hello DARE:

Arisaka99 and I have had a number of discussions in the past about his nice pre-Victory revolvers. He has my thoughts on them.

As to your question on the serial number range for the DSC guns that received genuine Parkerized finishes those guns were shipped in the May-June, 1942 time frame. The serials of those guns are scattered in the 980000 to 995000 range. This information was revealed as part of my presentation on the Victory Model at last year's S&WCA Symposium.

HTH.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Arisaka99]

Thanks Charlie!

 

[RM Vivas]

Hello DARE:

Arisaka99 and I have had a number of discussions in the past about his nice pre-Victory revolvers. He has my thoughts on them.

As to your question on the serial number range for the DSC guns that received genuine Parkerized finishes those guns were shipped in the May-June, 1942 time frame. The serials of those guns are scattered in the 980000 to 995000 range. This information was revealed as part of my presentation on the Victory Model at last year's S&WCA Symposium.

HTH.

Regards,
Charlie

Concur.

I went though some shipping invoices in preparation for a rather long and detailed post about this.

The early 1942 guns have handwritten notations as to finish. A few use the term Parkerized but most simply say Park/Parked or something similar.

Many of the early DSC guns were shipped blued.

Later guns are noted as Sand Blast/Sand Blasted/SB to indicate that particular finish.

I find it rather interesting that the effort was expended to make a note of the finish on the shipped guns. Undoubtedly, part of the reason was it was simply S&W's practice to do such things on commercial invoices. I just find it odd that they continued to do so on the Victory revolvers.

I'm working on some papers for school right now but plan to spend a day putting together something on a DSC document project I'm working on, with an emphasis in the post on finishes indicated in the records.

Best,
RM Vivas