digi-shots Posted April 28, 2013 Share #1 Posted April 28, 2013 I haven't posted much on this forum even though I follow it fairly regularly. I kinda like the Victory models from WWII and thought I'd post one of my favorites. This Victory, holster and wings came together from the estate of a WWII Navy Pilot. The Victory was shipped from the S&W factory on May 16, 1944 to the U.S. Navy, Nofolk, Virginia. The holster is stamped USN BOYT 44 and was most likely rigger modified with the bullet loops on the shoulder strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted April 28, 2013 Share #2 Posted April 28, 2013 Very nice finish on the revolver. Is it marked US Navy on the top strap? I had one several years ago and it still was a nice shooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted April 28, 2013 Share #3 Posted April 28, 2013 Very nice, indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted April 28, 2013 Share #4 Posted April 28, 2013 Very nice, and gorgeous photography by the way. I have a very similar rig in my collection. I love these modified holsters, and my rig with revolver looks identical to yours, although my gun is not quite as nice. Congratulations. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted April 28, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted April 28, 2013 Thanks for the kind words! No, this one is U.S. PROPERTY stamped, not U.S. NAVY. I think the S&W factory stopped stamping them U.S. NAVY in mid 1943 or so and around serial number V269xxx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted April 28, 2013 Share #6 Posted April 28, 2013 Very nice rig! I have seen many pics of rigger modified set-ups like this, must have been popular, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted April 29, 2013 Share #7 Posted April 29, 2013 Wow, very nice looking Victory. I just got a S&W Victory from Robert ( serial # 357XXX) and I would love to find a modified holster like yours !! BTW, The wings are killer also, are the wings marked on the reverse, and is there any info on the pilot ?? Thanks for posting !!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted April 30, 2013 Wow, very nice looking Victory. I just got a S&W Victory from Robert ( serial # 357XXX) and I would love to find a modified holster like yours !! BTW, The wings are killer also, are the wings marked on the reverse, and is there any info on the pilot ?? Thanks for posting !!! Chris Chris, Post some pics of your "new" Victory when you get a chance! You might want to get it lettered, it could very possibly be a US Property stamped, Navy shipped gun. I remember it. The Pilot's wings are stamped AMICO on the back. I posted some pics in the WING section. He was a veteran of the Yorktown... after it was sunk, his squadron transferred to the Enterprise and later was on the Shangri-La. He was a three time awardee of the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and received four Air Medals. I'll bring his "file" with me and show it to you the next time you stop by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shcpirate Posted May 12, 2013 Share #9 Posted May 12, 2013 Very nice! Is that a bulge in the barrel forward of the frame? I really need to get a nice Victory Model. They aren't getting any cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww2relichunter Posted May 12, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 12, 2013 wow great revovler and even better you have the vets name who owned it find that always makes military weapons more speical to me ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted May 12, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted May 12, 2013 I agree, named groupings are always a little special. The barrel is fine.... the inside grooves are sharp with no bulge. I've seen this on other Victory models, some are really noticeable others aren't. I'm not sure what it is... maybe just the tapering of the barrel or indicative of a "war time finish". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdk0911 Posted May 13, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 13, 2013 very nice Navy Victory with holster ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fausto Posted May 13, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 13, 2013 Hello! About the barrel "bulge" I agree with digi-shots. In some Victory this this can be seen, in others not at all. Look at my two babies: that on the top is a pre-Victory (s.n. 973981 no V prefix) and that on the bottom is a U.S. Navy marked (s.n. V 238854), the first one shipped April 1942, the second February 1943. Well, the first one has some "bulge", while the latter has the barrel perfectly tapered. Just very light machining differences. After all, these wartime revolvers were no more like those old M1917 released by S&W during WWI, with that splendid commercial finish and that immaculate machining... Fausto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted May 13, 2013 Fausto, You've got two very nice looking revolvers there! Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted May 13, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 13, 2013 Yes I agree with Linda, great looking pistols !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fausto Posted May 14, 2013 Share #16 Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks Linda and thanks hink ! Yes, they are mint, unfired, absolutely new... But no history behind them...The pre-Victory was sent in April 1942 - as said - to the Southbridge Police Department, Massachusetts and never issued. The other one is a standard U.S. Navy marked, again never issued. I got them nearly 40 years ago, when these pristine pieces were easier to find and at an affordable price. Now I'm old, they are not... By the way, Linda, your revolver looks as mint as mine but with a lot of history behind... Nice, very nice. Here my Navy holster, marked U.S.N. Boyt 43. Again, a mint piece. Beautiful to look at, but never been on the shoulder of a pilot riding a Corsair or a Hellcat... Anyway I love it... Fausto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gap Posted May 16, 2013 Share #17 Posted May 16, 2013 According to a conversation I had some time ago with Roy Jinks, S&W historian, the majority of 4 inch Victory revolvers were shipped to the U.S. Navy whether they are Navy marked or U.S. Property marked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted May 16, 2013 Share #18 Posted May 16, 2013 I just sent a letter to Mr. Jinks regarding my Victory model serial # 357XXX. Will update when I hear from him. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted May 16, 2013 I just sent a letter to Mr. Jinks regarding my Victory model serial # 357XXX. Will update when I hear from him.Chris Chris, if it turns out not to be a Navy, I'll be glad to take it off your hands! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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