WWII Question

[Old Jim]

My Uncle, who was in the Marines and landed on Okinawa, remembers that he was issued a 38 revolver as a "walking around" weapon after the fighting slowed down. He's looking for such a weapon but has no idea what he is looking for. He has been told it might be a S&W Model 10 or a Colt Model 19. He's 83 and I'm trying to help him find whatever it is.
Any ideas?

 

[Old Jim]

My Uncle, who was in the Marines and landed on Okinawa, remembers that he was issued a 38 revolver as a "walking around" weapon after the fighting slowed down. He's looking for such a weapon but has no idea what he is looking for. He has been told it might be a S&W Model 10 or a Colt Model 19. He's 83 and I'm trying to help him find whatever it is.
Any ideas?

 

[opoefc]

Chances are that the gun was a S&W Victory Model. It was a Model 1905, 4th change, .38 Spl. 4 in. barrel. Non-glare finish, smooth walnut wood grips with a lanyard swivel in the butt, made for WW2 uses. It could have also been a Colt with similar specs. Victory Models are fairly common at gun shows & gun stores. Worth about $250 to #375 in average condition A variation of this model in .38 S&W caliber w. 5 in. barrel, was sent to Britain & the Allies, but that's not what your relative wants. Ed.

 

[Old Jim]

Thanks, opoefc.

That's the answer I was looking for.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Prices on nice Victory models, with original finish, have been going up. I haven't seen one for $250 in quite some time, not original anyway.

If he just wants one "like" it, but not necessarily a Victory Model, any Model 10 can have a lanyard attached for little cost by a gunsmith. They can also be parkerized for relatively little cost. This might be more cost effective and will give the benefit of modern metallurgy. I mention this only as, before his death, my grandfather was in the process of finally getting around to getting a .45 "like" the one he'd carried in the Army. He liked the design, but liked the sights and features of commercial models better.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's one of my Victory Models. It was made in 1943, and refurbished, probably for Korea and/or Vietnam use. Ask him if this is what it looked like?

 

[charlie sherrill]

When I first started in LE the chief had about 15 of these in the safe. They were given to the department as surplus. We had to buy our own guns then and he would loan one to a new hire until he get buy his own. I had a Navy marked one until I got my own. When the old man retired the Victory's and a lot of other stuff,including some neat old badges, went with him.

 

[reddogge]

They aren't that scarce so keep scouting around for one. Here is a shoulder holster and a flap holster used with them.