Victory Model .38 "Govt. Stamped or not.?

[gerhard]

Hey Guys....I just read a note that the Victory models .without. the Government Stamping are more desireable ....this interests me....as Ive just found two Victory models....one with the Government stamping and one without..sadly the one without is a couple hundred dollars more.....and if you will...please humor me and explain a little more about the desireablity of the Victory Models without the stampings.....I appreciate any and all opinions and help before I commit myself to buying one of the two pistols offered.....Best Regards.....Hans Fischer

 

[scha]

Victory models without any military markings were sold through the DSC (Defense Supplies Corporation) program for issuance to police, factory guards, and other civilian/defense agencies. As for these being more desirable, this is a matter of opinion. I think the US NAVY marked Victory models usually command a higher price than the DSC guns. Individual guns with a known history, however, may have extra value to particular collectors. A factory letter will often identify where a DSC gun was sent. For the military marked Victories, those in 38 Special were typically issued to the Navy even when marked with the common "US Property GHD" marking on the top strap. Only the first 65,000 or so Navy revolvers were marked US NAVY and all military revolvers after that group were purchased on Army contracts even when they were to be issued to the Navy.

Hope this helps.

Steve