Victory Navy

[DCP]

I have a Victory Navy
SN V548XX

It is very very nice with Checkered walnut with medallion

I almost sold the grips. There are no markings on the grips.

So they could have been replaced by an Armor (or any one)

S&W says it was made in 1942 so the grips may be correct or very close or put they're a 1yr ago or 68 yrs ago.

Should I put the smooth grips I bought for it or leave these on.

Any one know the month?


Took this from a web site

Grips: Checkered walnut with medallion until early 1942, post February of 1942 they are smooth American Walnut with out medallions.

 

[PistolPackinDaDa]

I own a Victory V12116XX with the same grips. I would not sell anything that came with it when you acquired it !! I bot a pair of smooth grips which I can put on if I choose. Where is the Navy marking on your revolver and what does it say. Are there any markings under the grips or on the grips themselves ?? You could phone the S&W Historical society and they will tell you when it was mfg and when/where it shipped. If you want an official letter it will cost about $50. My guess is it was mfg abt Mar of 1942. Mine was mfg summer of 1942 and shipped to Oakland, CA in late Oct of 1942. Pics of top and left side would be helpful...

 

[DCP]

See new photo of Navy Markings.

Nothing on grips front or back

Cant fine a phone#for the S&W Historical society. Can you help

I own a Victory V12116XX with the same grips. I would not sell anything that came with it when you acquired it !! I bot a pair of smooth grips which I can put on if I choose. Where is the Navy marking on your revolver and what does it say. Are there any markings under the grips or on the grips themselves ?? You could phone the S&W Historical society and they will tell you when it was mfg and when/where it shipped. If you want an official letter it will cost about $50. My guess is it was mfg abt Mar of 1942. Mine was mfg summer of 1942 and shipped to Oakland, CA in late Oct of 1942. Pics of top and left side would be helpful...

 

[kikokat]

Can't swear to it, but I don't think those grips are original to the gun. Charlie or one of the far more experienced gents will be able to clarify that.
My Navy marked #57691 shipped 8/4/42 to the Navy at Oakland per the letter I got from S&W.
Very nice looking Victory you have there.

 

[gjamison]

i have Navy victory model V204376 left the factory January 6,1943 with smooth walnut grips. yours is a little earlyer than mine, did you take the grips off to see if there is a number under them. they seem to fit well....

 

[PistolPackinDaDa]

DCP,
I don't have the direct # to the Historian. I believe he is Roy Jinks at the S&W Museum. If you call S&W @ (800)+331-0852 between 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM EST they may be able to direct you. The U.S. NAVY stamp on mine is at the same location on the top strap as yours is.

 

[scha]

According to Charles W. Pate (US Handguns of WWII), the change from checkered stocks to smooth stocks happened over the time frame of November 1941 to February 1942. The "V" serial numbers did not begin until April 1942, so none of the actual Victory models came with checkered grips. These were only provided on the "pre-Victory" revolvers. Also, the finish was bright blue until March 1942, it is doubtful that any of the US NAVY marked Victory Models (which were "Black Magic (parkerized)) came originally with checkered stocks.

A factory letter would verify the type of original stocks.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[kikokat]

Gjamison, if you were referring to my Victory, all numbers, including the grips, are correctly numbered to the gun.

 

[Texas Star]

Nothing is absolute: if the grips fit that frame really well, they were probably fitted to it at the factory. There may still have been some checkered grips to use up. Occasional boxes of them may have been discovered as the war wore on.

But checkered grips are rare on Victory Models.

Any sign that this gun was ever refinished? It may have once been blued. Military armorers tend to refinish in dull gray.
But if the grips are original, the gun never got enough wear to be refinished!

Judging from the photos, that gun was not refinished and has been preserved remarkably well. You are fortunate to have it!