Victory data base

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks! And I thank "Two-Bit Cowboy" for the link. Looks like my revolver is all matching except the grips! Revolver is V 370969 & the right grip is # 244211. Wonder if they could have been mixed in an armory while cleaning?? Grips look good and fit great.
Thanks again for the info.
Dan

You're welcome. Absalom is the one who initially got me looking at that link.

There seem to be lots of reasons for grips that don't match the gun. With a gun in as nice shape as yours it's probably not because they were beat up so your guess seems as plausible as any.

 

[Quiet 1]

Perpendicular W in front of V Serial Number

I'm looking at a 4" barrel, 38 Special with no markings on it's left top strap.

It does have a large "lazy" W and a Flaming Bomb ordinance stamp on it's butt in front of the V serial number.

The serial number is in the 400,000 range. (Sorry, that's all I remember)

I have two questions:

1) What does the W signify?

2) Does the flaming bomb ordinance acceptance stamp confirm it went to the military? Or, did the guns that went to the DSC and U.S. Maritime Corp for distribution to domestic civilian police forces and security forces all have that acceptance stamp?

Thanks for any insight anyone can provide.

 

[cmansguns]

Victory revolver with +P ammo question

Hello Forum;

I thought I had asked this question before but it was regarding an older model S & W revolver, and not a Victory Model from WWII.

If you check post # 1444 from caryg, first photo you can see it is loaded up with Winchester 38 Sp +P.

Even though the gun may not be a true collectable, is it safe to run +P modern ammo through any Victory from the WWII era?

Just asking for opinions here....no criticism

 

[Absalom]

.....
I have two questions:

1) What does the W signify?

2) Does the flaming bomb ordinance acceptance stamp confirm it went to the military? Or, did the guns that went to the DSC and U.S. Maritime Corp for distribution to domestic civilian police forces and security forces all have that acceptance stamp?

.....

The serial number puts that one in later 1943.

1. We don't know yet. At one point it was thought Western Electric, because some early specimen with the W lettered as shipped there, but since then lots of guns are documented, shipped to the Navy and other destinations, so that seems to not be it. Unless I missed something, it hasn't been solved.

2. No. The flaming bomb stamp as well as the P proofs on guns from mid-1943 on can be found on DSC and Maritime Commision guns as well. The US NAVY or US PROPERTY on the topstrap marks military-shipped guns, except for early 1942 Navy guns which can have no marks at all.

 

[Absalom]

....
Even though the gun may not be a true collectable, is it safe to run +P modern ammo through any Victory from the WWII era?

Just asking for opinions here....no criticism

Yes, you can. I wouldn't without a compelling need, though. As a common sense approach, with all guns that have been around that long, you don't know what it's been subjected to. So it's perfectly fine to keep +P in it if it's your under-the-pillow gun, but I'd refrain from shooting a lot of hot stuff just for the fun of it.

 

[Quiet 1]

The serial number puts that one in later 1943.

1. We don't know yet. . . . . . . . . . . 2. No. The flaming bomb stamp as well as the P proofs on guns from mid-1943 on can be found on DSC and Maritime Commision guns as well. . . . . . . . . .

Absalom, Great thanks for the excellent informative and speedy reply. I genuinely appreciate your taking the time to share your knowledge. I've decided to pass on that one.

However, I've found another I like. It's quite nice and fairly priced so I've "pulled the trigger" on it. Can you please provide a time frame on this one:

Serial Number V296014 4" Barrel .38 Special U.S. Property GHD All Matching Numbers (grips correct but numbered to a different gun).
.

 

[DWalt]

Absalom, Great thanks for the excellent informative and speedy reply. I genuinely appreciate your taking the time to share your knowledge. I've decided to pass on that one.

However, I've found another I like. It's quite nice and fairly priced so I've "pulled the trigger" on it. Can you please provide a time frame on this one:

Serial Number V296014 4" Barrel .38 Special U.S. Property GHD All Matching Numbers (grips correct but numbered to a different gun).
.

V296014 suggests shipment in mid-1943, probably June.

 

[Quiet 1]

V296014 suggests shipment in mid-1943, probably June.

Thank you, DWalt. You guys are the best. I'll post some photos when it arrives.

 

[Quiet 1]

Question: Marine Corps Pilot Issue???

I'm really enjoying reading this thread. (All 73 pages.) I've got one on the way to join my modest WWII military issue sidearms collection.

No doubt every Victory series revolver has an interesting history and it's stories to tell.

Question: Is there any documented, (photos, bring-back papers, or even anecdotical evidence that Marine Corp pilots were issued or carried a Victory?

Edit: After spending a couple hours with my friend Google I've answered my own question. Here is a link to a great 6 page thread of WWII pilot photos. In the majority of the photos their sidearm is covered by their PDF (May West) and, or Parachute.

In some where a Victory is shown it's unclear if the pilot is a Naval or Marine aviator. However, there are a couple that clearly show a Marine wearing a Victory. Post numbers 66 and 72 for example.

Other Google "hits" on the subject suggest that Marine pilots remained loyally attached to their 1911's however, many apparently made the decision to make the change to the Victory.

Here's the link: ww2 USN, USMC pilot photos - MILITARY AIRCRAFT & AVIATION - U.S. Militaria Forum

If anyone has any photos or additional info. I would still appreciate seeing it.

 

[Absalom]

.....
Question: Is there any documented, (photos, bring-back papers, or even anecdotical evidence that Marine Corp pilots were issued or carried a Victory?

Here you go:

Marine pilot Clyde H. Hill, KIA on Okinawa 1945. The ammo bandolier and the lanyard-loop butt of his shoulder-holstered Victory are clearly visible.

 

[Quiet 1]

Here you go: Marine pilot Clyde H. Hill, KIA on Okinawa 1945. The ammo bandolier and the lanyard-loop butt of his shoulder-holstered Victory are clearly visible.

Hey Absalom, I was editing my post at same time you posted.

In my just completed Google searching (see my just edited post above) I came across that same photo as well as several others. A couple I have posted a link to.

Thanks for the response. If anyone else has any additional photos I'd really appreciate seeing them.

Regards, Lance

 

[Absalom]

.......
Other Google "hits" on the subject suggest that Marine pilots remained loyally attached to their 1911's however, many apparently made the decision to make the change to the Victory.

Here's the link: ww2 USN, USMC pilot photos - MILITARY AIRCRAFT & AVIATION - U.S. Militaria Forum
....

That is a very informative site. The wealth of pictures is amazing. The Victory with shoulder holster does appear to have been the standard issue; it shows up in the majority of photos containing a recognizable handgun. A few flyers "went cowboy" by using the shoulder holster on their belt or in one case using a flap holster, which to my knowledge was not US issue to any combat units at the time. The 1911 is rather less in evidence, like with the officer who carried one in a hand-rigged shoulder holster.

 

[DWalt]

That is a very informative site. The wealth of pictures is amazing. The Victory with shoulder holster does appear to have been the standard issue; it shows up in the majority of photos containing a recognizable handgun.

One of the main purposes for the Victory by aviators was for use as an emergency signalling device for downed flyers using tracer bullets. I am not sure .45 ACP tracer ammo was very commonly used for that purpose, but it was standard in .38 Special for Navy use. During WWII, the only tracer ammo color issued in .38 Special was red, but there was some work on other colors after WWII.

 

[Quiet 1]

. . . . . . The Victory with shoulder holster does appear to have been the standard issue; it shows up in the majority of photos containing a recognizable handgun. . . . . . .

I found several other photos of the Victory being carried by Marine Corps pilots or flight crew members.

Here is my favorite Marine / Victory photo from my Google search. You gotta' love his "survival sword".

Here's another showing a different Naval branch: The United States Naval Women's Reserve, better known as WAVES. (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

Trivia note for the day: Someone commented that the gal on the left was wearing her pistol belt upside down. However, someone else pointed out women's garment buttons and belt buckles are properly on the *left* side as opposed to men's being on the *right* side. So technically she is the only one wearing her belt properly.

 

[Muley Gil]

I wouldn't want to be the young lady second from the right when the ensign on the far right touches off a round. There's a chance her jacket may get scorched.

 

[MAF1]

Victory Question

Hello. So I have a Victory chambered in .38spl. The serial number is V29458-6. The only markings on the pistol are the serial number on the bottom of the grip and the serial number under the barrel. Under Made In U.S.A., there is a very tiny marking, cannot make out what it is. The front sight is a half moon . Any help identifying the year it was shipped out would be much appreciated. Thanks to all who keep the data base running

 

[Absalom]

Hello. So I have a Victory chambered in .38spl. The serial number is V29458-6. The only markings on the pistol are the serial number on the bottom of the grip and the serial number under the barrel. Under Made In U.S.A., there is a very tiny marking, cannot make out what it is. The front sight is a half moon . Any help identifying the year it was shipped out would be much appreciated. Thanks to all who keep the data base running

Your gun is from approx. April 1943. If it has its original finish and no topstrap markings, it is a DSC contract gun shipped to a non-military recipient stateside. Besides the locations you mentioned, you should also find that serial number on the cylinder face between two chambers, on the back of the ejector star, and ideally, if they're original, the back of the right grip panel. I don't know what the little mark below the MADE IN USA could be; usually, we see only some of the British models marked there.

 

[MAF1]

@Absalom, you are absolutely correct, the serial number is located on the cylinder face, and the ejector star, it does not have original grips. I forgot to look on the cylinder face. Would this model have been parkerized or blued? Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated !!

 

[Absalom]

The original finish on this gun would be the dull grey-black utility finish. It's not technically "parkerizing", but similar. The factory's name was "Military Midnight Black", although that was really a misnomer; it was much more grey.

 

[MAF1]

@Absalom, It must have been re-blued at sometime. I have added 2 pictures for you to look at. I think the barrel may have been cut down, but the lack of markings on it are strange. Thanks for all of your input.