S&W 38 Special CTG stamped "U.S. NAVY"

[dagger]

Can anybody give me a little history on S&W 38 Special CTG stamped "U.S. NAVY" serial number V1657XX? It has letters and numbers stamped on the frame handle. On the left side it has the letter "T" stamped on the lower right and just a litter higher on the left. Half way up on the front left of the handler frame is the number "8". On the right side of the handle frame is the letter "S", "L" and "T". I am also looking for original replacement grips. I can send pictures if needed

I would appreciate any help understanding the correct finish and grips that came with the pistol.

Thanks in advance,

Don

 

[rcmodel]

CTG is the abbreviation for cartridge.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=472987

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

rc

 

[Walkalong]

whoops wrong caliber. dunno

 

[Glockman17366]

When I was in the Navy, the only ones who carried a .38 were pilots and other aircrew. This was during the Vietnam era.

 

[dagger]

RC,

Thanks, the coolsite was a great article. My gun has all the serial numbers in the right places. Just need to find some grips.

BTW, I'm an NRA Life Member and shoot long range rife.

Thanks again,

Don

 

[dagger]

Glockman,

Thanks,

Don

 

[Old Fuff]

I'm pressed for time, but you will find more information using our search feature (in the green bar at top of page) and the search terms "Victory Model" and "Navy".

During World War Two, Smith & Wesson made a special version of their regular .38 Military & Police revolver. In early 1942 they adopted the name Victory Model" and added the "V" prefix to the serial number on the butt. These revolvers had plain (uncheckered) walnut stocks, 4 " barrels, and a sandblasted & Parkerized finish. The 6-shot cylinder was chambered in .38 Special.

At the beginning of the war the Navy placed two contracts for these revolvers, and they were Navy marked on the topstrap. Later shipments were simply marked U.S. Property or United States Property, and delivered to all branches of the services.

Navy-marked guns are especially desired by collectors, who will pay a premium to get them.

More later.

 

[dagger]

Old Fuff,

Thanks for the history lesson. Very much appreciated. The gun has been refinished and blued. It is also missing the lanyard on the butt but does have the hole for one to be installed. It also as all the serial numbers in the right places so everything is original in that since. The grips are not original either. Would it make since to refinish (parkerize), add the lanyard and put the correct grips on the pistol or leave it as is? What is the going price for such a pistol that is probably in 90 to 95% condition with the acception of being blued, no lanyard and wrong grips.

Thanks,

Don

 

[jaydubya]

On my first flying cruise to Vietnam, prior to each flight I fished a grubby bandolier holster out of a locker in the ready room. It contained an S&W Victory Model .38 sp revolver with a four inch barrel, and a coupla dozen .38sp tracers (uniformly covered in green mold) in loops along the belt across my chest. I'd load five in the revolver and stick it back in the holster. When I returned from the mission, I'd slip the slimy green cartridges back in their loops on the bandolier belt, and toss the array back into that locker. I don't believe anyone did anything to them during the entire cruise. I did find the Victory Model to be impressively accurate out to more than fifty yards, single action, shooting from the flight deck at garbage being dumped over the fantail -- not your standard evaluation.

I considered that handgun useful for just one thing: firing tracers straight up while swallowing seawater by the gallon. That is why I bought a 9mm Browning High Power, plus two spare magazines, and carried them on my next two flying cruises to Vietnam. I also carried a flare rig that was much more impressive than tracers (and most likely now illegal.)

I still shoot that High Power. Ironically, I also shoot two S&W revolvers, a 637 snubby and a 4" 686+. They are grandchildren of the Victory model. My needs are different now.

Cordially, Jack

 

[Old Fuff]

During World War Two, and as previously noted to the Viet Nam era, the Navy issued .38 Special revolvers to pilots and other members of flight crews for the express purpose of shooting tracers to attract attention when they were shot down - especially over water. The revolver was considered simpler, easier to use with one hand, and more often to work after being dunked in an ocean. It was very seldom used as a weapon, and not seriously intended as such.

At the Battle of Midway, one pilot who successfully used his revolver to attract the attention of a PBY flying overhead was a young teenaged Ensign named George Bush (the Father) who later became a President of the United States.

 

[RON in PA]

I believe Pres. Bush SR. was not shot down at Midway but later in the war, in 1944 or perhaps early 1945.

 

[Old Fuff]

George Bush (the Father) who later became a President of the United States.

Oh poo....

Go ahead and nit-pick... It was late and I was in a hurry...

 

[madcratebuilder]

On Sept. 2, 1944, at the age of 20, George Bush Sr. was shot down while trying to bomb the communications towers on Chichi Jima Island in the Pacific (sister island to Iwo Jima).

He was also the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings.

 

[dagger]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

I read the book "Fly Boy" and was the first time that I knew President Bush Sr. was pluck out of the water by a submarine off the island of Chichi Jima Island. He is a very lucky man.

Again, would it make since to refinish (parkerize), add the lanyard and put the correct grips on the pistol or leave it as is? What is the going price for such a pistol that is probably in 90 to 95% condition with the acception of being blued, no lanyard and wrong grips.

Don

 

[Jim K]

There is no way doing what you suggest will make the pistol look as it was; the collector value has been destroyed and any "restoration" will be obvious. I think you would be better to save your money. Just leave the gun as is and shoot it.

Jim