Victory

[cruzans]

Love when I'm able to get a piece of history Hopefully someone here will have more info..
Was in my friends Gunshop when an older gentleman came in - He and his wife were moving into a home and couldn't bring guns so wanted to sell this Victory model (I believe model 1917?). He said his Father brought it back with him from the war. I immediately knew I had to have it and my friend obliged Had never seen "sweetheart grips" on a revolver. And what looks like tin foil beneath them? Not sure if that was "original" or was put under years later. "Trench" type art? Not sure if anyone has anything to share.
Seriel # V 440xxx
Thanks!

 

[jmiles1960]

Very nice find! I believe your Victory is a WWII era piece. Others will likely chime in with details.

I have an original belt holster for a 4 inch Victory model like yours, if you're interested. My Victory is a 5 inch British lend lease and I can't use it.

PM me if you're interested.

 

[VASCAR2]

I can't tell from the photographs but to me Victory models were issued in WW II in 38 Special Cartridge or 38 S&W aka 38/200. The 1917 large frame S&W were generally 5 1/2" barrel 45 ACP or maybe .455 for the UK.

The revolver in the photo looks more like a WW II Victory.

 

[cruzans]

Yes, this is a 38 special. Gentleman called it a 1917 but? Thanks!

 

[JP@AK]

It is a WWII Victory Model (.38 M&P) from 1943. Most of them went to the Navy.

The stocks obviously are not original. Otherwise, it appears to be in pretty good shape.

 

[jpage]

Heartbreaking back-story. Guess we'll all be there one day.....

 

[cruzans]

^^ For sure. I've been in the shop a few times when guys came in to sell family guns and it always upsets me that they would get rid of their dads or Grandfathers guns - etc.. But this time, I totally understood and felt so bad - all the more reason to give the pistol a good home where it will be well taken care of

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... He said his Father brought it back with him from the war. I immediately knew I had to have it and my friend obliged Had never seen "sweetheart grips" on a revolver. And what looks like tin foil beneath them? Not sure if that was "original" or was put under years later.

I have seen a similar set of "Sweetheart Grips" on a 1911. What looks like Tin Foil is the aluminum from the fuselage of a Japanese Zero fighter plane. The plastic is the plexiglass from the cockpit.

Great revolver and I am glad it got a good home at your place.

 

[cruzans]

Funny you mention Japanese zero. I'm looking at the edges of the plexi and what I thought were stress cracks look like Japanese writing? Very faint. I'll have to keep researching. You can kinda see what I'm talking about if you look closely at the left grip in the photo.

 

[RM Vivas]

Somebody (not me) should do an article on 'sweetheart grips".

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[kwill1911]

I agree!

 

[DWalt]

Sweetheart grips usually had a picture of a wife, girlfriend, or mother under them. Also could be a pinup girl like Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable. I have seen them with other images such as horses or dogs. Really, could be pictures of about anything. At one time back in the 1960s and 1970s, they were common sights at gun shows. Allegedly, they were hand-made from Perspex (Lucite, plexiglass) removed from aircraft windows. They are seen on all types of handguns, foreign and domestic. Most commonly on .45 Automatics. Does that Victory have U. S. PROPERTY stamped on the top strap? If so, it is almost certain to be U. S. Navy. It sure looks like aluminum foil to me. The closest Victory SN I have listed is V448290. It shipped in 10/43.

 

[cruzans]

No US Property stamped
I have a WWII 1911 that I picked up a few years ago that came with sweetheart grips. My parents are both gone so I put a picture of my Dad in his MP uniform under one and a Picture of my Mom from the same time frame under the other - lol.

 

[gunbarrel]

Here is a good Forum thread regarding Sweetheart handgun grips. Also attaching better pictures from the US M1917 S&W revolver Brad Pitt's character carries in the movie.

M1917 With Plexiglass "Sweetheart" Grips

 

[DWalt]

If there is no topstrap stamping, it is most likely one made for civilian use such as police, defense plant security guards, etc. Those are commonly referred to as DSC guns (Defense Supplies Corporation). That was a government agency that handled handgun sales to qualified civilian users. There were no legal sales of new firearms to ordinary civilians during WWII.