Victory data base

[E.Pastora]

There is a problem with this being the Lt.'s issued gun in WW II. ...... I consider it pretty much impossible that a junior officer would have been able to get his specific gun back after conversion.

Hmm..that would explain a couple things. This same estate had a 'locally made' 1911 holster with mag pouches in a shoulder holster configuration. The holster had his name, rank, unit logo, and signature on it...I wonder if perhaps he flew with a 1911 and then when the war was over and he was reassigned he wound up with the late Victory model and 44-marked Boyt holster.

Thank you for the input.

 

[roughedgekid]

I have a Victory model SN#V92367 in 38 S&W , can anyone tell me the date it was made?

 

[Absalom]

I have a Victory model SN#V92367 in 38 S&W , can anyone tell me the date it was made?

Information on when guns were made is not available, just more or less educated guesses on when they likely shipped from the factory. I'm assuming that your gun has the UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamp on the topstrap, in which case it is a British Service Model that likely shipped to Hartford Ordnance Depot for shipment to Britain or another Commonwealth nation under Lend-lease in approximately July/August 1942, although actual shipping dates can easily differ from such predictions; only a factory letter would tell with certainty.

 

[Muley Gil]

"I don't know whether the Navy and Marine Corps issued the Victory to aviators in the post-war era..."

Considering the Marine Corps went to Korea using tents that were declared surplus by the Army after the War of 1812, yea, I'll bet they were still issued Victory models.

 

[DWalt]

"I don't know whether the Navy and Marine Corps issued the Victory to aviators in the post-war era..."


One thing I do not know is if the Navy actually issued revolvers on a semi-permanent basis to aviators during WWII or later. I have a friend who was a non-flying CPO on a Carrier during Vietnam (and beyond - he retired in the early 1980s), and he told me once that carrier flight crews checked out revolvers before they left on a mission, then checked them back in when they returned. Navy (and likely other service) aviators did indeed carry Victories during the Korean and Vietnam eras. No reason that they would have needed anything better.

 

[Chuck F]

New Victory Model-Info?

I just got a new Victory Model. 4", 38 Special, Black Magic, all matching. All the usual M&P markings. Small "P" above left recoil shield. NO "US Property" or "US Navy" on left topstrap (blank). Butt marked: Sideways "W", "V", Ordnance Bomb, Lanyard Swivel, "509418". Would you know approx dating, and is it worth a letter? The "W" interests me.
Thanks!

 

[Absalom]

One thing I do not know is if the Navy actually issued revolvers on a semi-permanent basis to aviators during WWII or later. I have a friend who was a non-flying CPO on a Carrier during Vietnam (and beyond - he retired in the early 1980s), and he told me once that carrier flight crews checked out revolvers before they left on a mission, then checked them back in when they returned.....

I think one needs to define the term "issue" when talking about personal sidearms and the Navy in WW II. What you describe fits with something I noticed in reading the memoirs of an officer serving with a naval gun crew in the Battle of the Atlantic. While at sea, all sidearms were locked up; there were no personal weapons. The .38 revolvers were handed out to guards when the ship docked in port and collected when it departed. The Navy in general seems to have kept tight control over individual weaponry, and from your description, that appears to have extended to pilots as well, and apparently beyond WW II.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Chuck! According to Pate, the W indicates the gun was sent to Western Electric Company.

 

[Absalom]

I just got a new Victory Model. 4", 38 Special, Black Magic, all matching. All the usual M&P markings. Small "P" above left recoil shield. NO "US Property" or "US Navy" on left topstrap (blank). Butt marked: Sideways "W", "V", Ordnance Bomb, Lanyard Swivel, "509418". Would you know approx dating, and is it worth a letter? The "W" interests me.
Thanks!

The serial number places your Victory likely in early 1944. With a blank topstrap, it was most likely shipped under a Defense Supply Corporation (DSC) contract to a civilian destination, like a defense contracting business, or a police agency in the US. Less likely would be shipment to the US Maritime Commission. A letter would likely tell you, since the factory did ship those directly to the end user. Whether that information is worth it to you is your decision.

 

[Absalom]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Chuck! According to Pate, the W indicates the gun was sent to Western Electric Company.

With respect to my friend from the wiregrass, that's shown to be most likely a false trail. The W has shown up on a gun that went to Western Electric, but then also on guns lettering to the Navy/OSS, the Illinois State Police, and other destinations. As far as I know, it remains unsolved, but I have missed important threads before ...

 

[Muley Gil]

When I was a midshipman in the summer of 1973, I served aboard the USS Semmes, DDG 18. The small arms (M14s, shotguns and 1911s) were secured in a compartment. The only exception was a 1911A1 that was passed to the quarter watch. That one was a rattletrap!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Received my "letter" today

My letter from Roy is dated July 4, 2016. Extra SPECIAL!

I'm not at home so can't scan/photograph the letter, but here are the nuts 'n' bolts:

"United States Navy Contract... serial number V467553 was shipped... December 15, 1943, and delivered to U. S. Navy, Norfolk, VA.... This shipment was for 3000 units... billed at $20.50 each."

(posts 1343, 1344, & 1349 show photos of my Victory)

Mr. Pate, pg 150, shows a Victory, sn V498607, that seems to have shared a similar post-war journey with my gun, but its original destination was Navy Rosslyn. Pate, bottom of pg 152, highlights many different shipments from a contract number that likely included my gun, but he doesn't show any going to Navy Norfolk. Hmmmm.

The research continues....

Bob

 

[Absalom]

....
"United States Navy Contract... serial number V467553 was shipped... December 15, 1943, and delivered to U. S. Navy, Norfolk, VA.... This shipment was for 3000 units... billed at $20.50 each."
....

Interesting when you compare the price to mine from Jan. 1942 (see separate thread) which was billed at $23.79 each. Wonder if the Navy got a volume discount; although, both Navy and DSC were federal government, so that would be a bit odd. Also, I'd expect stuff to get more expensive as the war progressed, raw materials got scarcer and labor supply tighter.

 

[AndyNJ]

Pre V help

Just bought a pre V s/n 831816. Barrel has "38 S&W CTG", right side shows "VEGA SAC C7" which I think is the re-import stamp for Vega Arms in Cali that brought back a lot of Australian guns in the 80s. There is no "PROPERTY OF..." stamp. 5 inches.

Will try and post some piccys. I'm guessing 1941 Lend/Lease to Australia? But I'm a complete novice just stumbling around the internet researching!

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Absalom]

Just bought a pre V s/n 831816. Barrel has "38 S&W CTG", right side shows "VEGA SAC C7" which I think is the re-import stamp for Vega Arms in Cali that brought back a lot of Australian guns in the 80s. There is no "PROPERTY OF..." stamp. 5 inches.

Will try and post some piccys. I'm guessing 1941 Lend/Lease to Australia? But I'm a complete novice just stumbling around the internet researching!

Any help greatly appreciated.

Yes, it is a British Service Revolver from 1941 that ended up in Australian service. The FTR/MA 55 shows that it was refurbished at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in New South Wales in 1955. "Factory Thorough Repair/Munitions Australia 1955" would be the full meaning.

However, given the early serial and the absence of the UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamp which a Lend-lease gun should have, this may still have been shipped on a British Purchasing Commission contract and actually paid for by Britain. The refinish could also have obliterated the stamping, however.

 

[DWalt]

831816 would indicate a likely October 1941 shipment. There would have been no "United States Property" stamp at that time, but it is possible it could have originally been a Lend-Lease revolver.

 

[AndyNJ]

Great thanks!

 

[mdwman]

Hello all.

I have just acquired my first S&W and have joined in order to learn more. My "new" pistol is a Victory model, .38 special S&W. It is stamped "U.S. Property GHD" on the top strap preceeded by the flaming bomb. The serial # on the butt is V301385. Any input as to when this gun was produced?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[Absalom]

Hello all.

I have just acquired my first S&W and have joined in order to learn more. My "new" pistol is a Victory model, .38 special S&W. It is stamped "U.S. Property GHD" on the top strap preceeded by the flaming bomb. The serial # on the butt is V301385. Any input as to when this gun was produced?

Thanks!

Mark

Welcome to the forum!

Your gun appears to be a standard military-shipped US version of the Victory model which most likely (but with no guarantees!) shipped in the summer of 1943, June or July. Statistically, its recipient was most likely the Navy, which received the largest percentage of these.

A history letter, which would set you back $75, would tell you the specific shipping date (manufacturing dates are not available) and where it was shipped initially; on military guns, that generally is a large Navy yard or Army arsenal stateside.

 

[bunkie12]

Victory database addition

I inherited this Victory model #V143663 from my father, who served in Army Ordinance in the Pacific during WWII. No idea whether this revolver is connected to his service, or for that matter, its origins at all. Because it has no service-related markings, I would guess it to be DSC.

All serial numbers match, including on the right stock, cylinder and barrel. Cylinders and barrel are pristine. My father did tend to over-oil safe queens, which might be apparent. Just to be able to say that I have taken 6 shots with it, I can say that it shoots lead like a dream. So much so, that I might have to bring home a shooter Model 10 one of these days.

The photos are taken in artificial light except for the right-side view, which is sunlight. I believe sunlight indicates its true color, at least to my eyes. I have additional photos if helpful.

I have not requested a letter, at least not yet, but would certainly appreciate advice as to whether a letter would be worthwhile and comments on history and value estimate (for insurance only-NFS). Thank you for your help.

Bunkie