What does "VMF8"stand for?

[Brian P. Kenny]

Hi to all, I picked up a nice S&W M&P number C 123233, 2 inch, .38 spl. with USMC stamped on one grip bottem and VMF8 and a little skull and cross bones hand carved on the other grip bottem.

The finish all most looks like it is some sort of matt or dull black paint like finish , even the triger and hammer looks like it may have been painted also.

Neat old gun, looks like there may be some history behind this old S&W shooter.

Brian Kenny SWCA #908

 

[Brian P. Kenny]

Hi to all, I picked up a nice S&W M&P number C 123233, 2 inch, .38 spl. with USMC stamped on one grip bottem and VMF8 and a little skull and cross bones hand carved on the other grip bottem.

The finish all most looks like it is some sort of matt or dull black paint like finish , even the triger and hammer looks like it may have been painted also.

Neat old gun, looks like there may be some history behind this old S&W shooter.

Brian Kenny SWCA #908

 

[john traveler]

VMF-8 is Navyspeak for Marine Fixed-Wing Fighter Squadron Number Eight.

You bet there is some good history behind that S&W! It's a veteran! Research VMF-8 on the net and you will see!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Brian; That's a real find. Could book back to WW2 Marines but be certain. Fakes abound out there.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

Interesting. Anyone know what the letter "V" indicates?

 

[lcdrdanr]

It could be authentic, could be privately owned but carried by a pilot in a Marine Corps Squadron but I would be a bit skeptical. The V denotes a fixed wing squadron, the M would be for Marines and the F would be Fighters. A final prefix of N would be for Night. Lacking the M would make it a Navy squadron.

First of all, I thought the C prefix on the Serial Number indicated a pre-Model 10 manufactured after 1948 and prior to the Model 10 designation which I think was in 1957.

Secondly, I am not sure that there was ever a VMF 8 although I am surely no expert on USMC Aviation Squadrons. I do remember that all the WWII Guadalcanal squadrons (the Cactus Air Force) were 3 number squadrons (i.e. VMF 121, VMF 214 (the Black Sheep), VMF(N)542 Night Figher Squadron, etc).

So, not to rain on the parade but while you may have a really nice veteran, it may need a bit more authentication. It could have been a bored leatherneck in Korea attached to a VMF 844 (I just made that number up) who never got to finish carving his squadron number.

Dan R

 

[GatorFarmer]

The "V" actually denotes "Heavier than air". It started to be used back when there were still "lighter than air" i.e. blimp squadrons in widespread use. Lighter than air ships continued to be used for ASW duties all during WW2 and actually sank some ships.

Google doesn't turn up anything about a Marine Fighter Squadron Eight, either active or inactive.

 

[Brian P. Kenny]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for the help, I have been googleing "Marine Fighter Squadron=VMF 8", but all Marine Fighter Squadrons have 3 numbers in them. But the shull and cross bones shows up on a few Marine patchs.

This .38 was made in ,1948, but it has the ".38 S&W spl ctg" on the Left side of the barrel and Nothing stamped on the right side of the barrel.

Also, under the VMF 8 is scrashed X O C or GTKX, very hard to read and on the bottem rear of the grips is scrashed X on one grip and O on the other grip where you would see the markings if the gun was in a rack or holder.

Does anyone know if VMF 8 could be the "Jolly Roger" Squdron?? they used a Skull and Crossbones as a symbol that was painted on the aircraft tale.

Thanks for any info. in advanced.

Brian Kenny SWCA # 908

 

[GatorFarmer]

There were several "Jolly Rogers" Squadrons, starting with VF17. The most famously filmed was VF84 flying F14s until disbanded in 1995. They were featured in "The Final Countdown" and other films. That was a Marine unit though.

There was a VMO (observation) 8 active until 1976 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...s_aircraft_squadrons

Edit to add, this link shows VF8 (Navy, not Marines) being disbanded in 1945 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...tates_Navy_Squadrons