WWII era s&w - looking for info

[Uglyducky]

Howdy guys!
I just recently picked up my grandfathers WWII service revolver. He was a pilot in the Marine corp and this was his issued service revolver. As the story goes he went to turn it in after the war and was told "this weapon has already been surrendered". He was TRULY a man of integrity and honor and stood arguing for 30 min while they insisted they could not receive the revolver from him so he left. It is complete with the US govt holster and honestly looks like it's maybe had a handful or rounds through it.

What I'm curious about is any history, model info, anything interesting you guys could tell me about it. Additionally, I'd be curious about its relative market value (not that it would ever be sold). Thanks!

 

[Muley Gil]

You have a WW II Victory revolver. These are same as the pre WW II Military & Police revolvers, except for the finish. Production started in about 1942 and continued until the end of the war.

Is this one stamped "U.S. Navy"?

Do a search for Victory models and you will have days of reading ahead of you.

 

[DWalt]

Yours likely shipped from the factory in September 1943. Prior to Serial Number (approx.) V267000, these revolvers issued to the Navy and USMC normally had a "U. S. NAVY" property stamping on the topstrap. Being later, yours likely has a "U. S. Property" topstrap stamping.

 

[WaMike]

Apparently your grandpa didn't realize the armorer was doing him a favor. My dad's Victory was "already turned in" as was my uncle's 1911. My uncle said it was a fairly common practice, especially if the soldier was a nice guy.

Alas, I didn't get either of them....other relatives did, the wretches.

Yours is in very good shape, from what I could tell from the photos. You might use an old toothbrush to remove (what looks like) cosmoline from the lanyard ring, but don't do anything else....other than cleaning, of course.

If it were mine, I'd shoot it, at least a few times. Load it with medium to low velocity cartridges and wail away.

And then clean it again.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! With its condition, original holster and history (be sure to document this in writing), I think you could insure it for $1000.

 

[Uglyducky]

Thanks guys. It's a very meaningful piece. I appreciate the info. The old marine and I were very close. He was a good guy and served his country well through TWO wars.

 

[JSR III]

What a great piece of family history. I have 3 guns inherited from my maternal grandfather, 1 from my paternal grandfather and two WWII bring backs that were my Dad's.

There is not enough money in the world to get me to sell any of those guns.

 

[opoefc]

That's a very nice example of a Victory Model and with the pilot type shoulder holster it would bring a $1,000 with it's Marine Corp history. As said above, that Armorer was trying his best to do the pilot a favor and having had to explain things to Marines who go by the regulations, I know it can be hard to do favors like that! You have a really great family heirloom. Ed.

 

[Uglyducky]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna hunt down a picture of him wearing it. I'll post it up if I find it.

 

[gordonrick]

Nice Victory! I'm sorry for your loss; I assume your grandfather has passed on.

I'm sure a lot of the members here would appreciate pictures and any other service history info you have on him. I love a gun with a history like yours. collect up what information you can to pass on through your family. You might even consider getting the factory letter although it won't tell you much you don't already know, it would complete the "package". DWalt's shipping dates for Victories are as close as you can possibly get without a letter.

 

[DWalt]

You didn't say if your grandfather was a Marine pilot. One of the main intended uses of the revolver by Navy and Marine aviation crews was as a distress signaling device, using tracer bullets.

 

[kwill1911]

You didn't say if your grandfather was a Marine pilot. One of the main intended uses of the revolver by Navy and Marine aviation crews was as a distress signaling device, using tracer bullets.

Actually he did in his first post.

Great gun, great story, great condition, great holster. It doesn't get much better when it comes to a Victory.

Regards,
Kevin Williams