The Kiel Polizei were furnished with Victory revolvers during the period of postwar occupation and perhaps beyond. I can't account for the conversion to .38 Special, other than perhaps it was done sometime after its service with Kiel. Below I've attached a photo of a documented Kiel Polizei Victory. Note the German proofs. Does your friend's Victory display such markings as well?
yes same. What is the approximate date of manufacture please? Did the German police forces have revolvers of both .38 Spec and 38SW calibers during the occupation? I personally own a Victory .38 spec (original) with Berlin police equipment.
V759876 would date to 1945.
My impression has been that generally it was the British Service Revolver pattern that was furnished to the German police in the immediate postwar period, but I wouldn't exclude the possibility that local circumstances might've led to the U.S. version being distributed as well.
Mid-1943. The "flaming bomb" (aka "shell and flame") is the insignia of the Army's Ordnance Corps. It's application to small arms indicates inspection/acceptance for issue. See: History of the US Army Ordnance Corps | US Army Ordnance Corps & School
Yes, 1942. Unfortunately it appears to have been buffed and reblued, so collector value is about nil, but that shouldn't affect its worth to you as a shootable heirloom.
The topic of Victory revolvers procured by or for the OSS seems to be a muddled one. My understanding is that such will letter as having been shipped to the United States Navy at Rosslyn, Virginia. I've read that some of those may have in fact been supplied to the German police postwar. The "W" stamped on the butt has been noted but its significance or meaning so far as I know remains unclear.
