PT Boat Forum


Moderated by: Dick, Jeff D

The PT Boat Forum ª PT Boats of WWII ª  PT Boats - General

Page: 1 of 1

« Back to Topic Index Page 173 | Replies: 8

 Author  Topic: Navy Victory Model .38 Special
Drew Cook

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Jul 1, 2009 - 4:20am
Yesterday, some of my fellow officers responded to a "shots fired" run in the northeast section of our District, and they recovered three guns along with the three arrests they made.

One of the guns was a Smith & Wesson Victory Model .38 Special revolver, serial # V187331.

I looked the gun over while the boys were tagging it for the property room. It was in a not-too-bad, working condition, had the original wood grips, the classic oval lanyard loop on the butt of the grip, and "NAVY" stamped on the top strap.

As I'm sure you all are aware, this weapon was issued to many U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel during World War II, usually pilots.

The S&W Victory Model .38 was the same type sidearm JFK carried during his days on PT 109, through the survival period after the 109's ramming/sinking, and probably while he was skipper of PT 59 (if it hadn't been rendered unservicable from a week's worth of constant immersion in salt water). He was issued the gun while in transit to the forward area on board the Navy transport U.S.S. Rochambeau.

As far as I know, the gun our guys recovered didn't come back as stolen when it was run on the teletype, so unfortunately, like all firearms recovered by police in the commission/facilitation of a crime, this classic and historic firearm will be "chopped" -- cut up and melted down, if an owner isn't found. What a shame!


Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am | IP Logged

ducati650

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of ducati650   Send Email To ducati650 Posted on: Jul 1, 2009 - 6:43am
Is there any way it might be able to donated to the Nation Firearms Museum at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax VA?


Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am | IP Logged

AlmKord

Full Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of AlmKord  Posted on: Jul 1, 2009 - 8:06am
Can't you just dimill it and sell it as a historical fire arm? Please, if you can email me.


Total Posts: 46 | Joined: Jun 24, 2009 - 8:29am | IP Logged

AlmKord

Full Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of AlmKord  Posted on: Jul 1, 2009 - 8:07am
Oh, did I mention my uncle is an investigator for the state of Florida and a 30 year retired vet of the police force.


Total Posts: 46 | Joined: Jun 24, 2009 - 8:29am | IP Logged

Drew Cook

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Jul 1, 2009 - 12:02pm
ducati650 and AlmKord,

Nope -- not a chance.


Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am | IP Logged

AlmKord

Full Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of AlmKord  Posted on: Jul 2, 2009 - 11:02am
I hate the sob that got caught with this gun. Way to kill history.


Total Posts: 46 | Joined: Jun 24, 2009 - 8:29am | IP Logged

DAN LEWANDOWSKI

New Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of DAN LEWANDOWSKI  Posted on: Jul 2, 2009 - 3:10pm
I wonder how many of these historic pieces have been destroyed in the "GUNS FOR MONEY" programs various cities have. I remember watching the news a few years back, the local police dept. had tables full of guns they collected. Among them was a BAR and a Thompson. Probably stolen from someones collection but off to get melted down they went.

DAN

Total Posts: 25 | Joined: Dec 25, 2008 - 1:31pm | IP Logged

AlmKord

Full Member
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of AlmKord  Posted on: Jul 2, 2009 - 8:35pm
So true. These guns are pieces of history, however ironic it might be that a BAR and Thompson were used in a modern day robbery or whatever, Kinda brings you back to the 1930's. Still I hate the SOB's .


Total Posts: 46 | Joined: Jun 24, 2009 - 8:29am | IP Logged

Drew Cook

TOP BOSS
  

    
Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Jul 3, 2009 - 8:20pm
Well, here's an update on the Navy Victory Model .38 our guys recovered the other day...There just may be a chance that it won't be "chopped." It isn't listed as stolen, and it certainly won't be returned to any of the arrested guys.

The Cincinnati Historical Society has had a long-standing exhibit at the Museum Center -- in our Union Terminal, the domed, art-deco train station that was THE busiest train terminal in the country during WWII (yeah, it was, even more than New York, Chicago or L.A.) -- showcasing Cincinnati's home front during the war.

One of the guys who recovered the gun told me today he's going to ask the judge in the case if the revolver can be donated to this Museum exhibit (which already has several firearms), so...


Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am | IP Logged


Lock Topic

 

Forum Legend

New Member

Reply to topic

More than 25 posts | Full Member

Reply to topic with quoted message

More than 50 posts | Advanced Member

Edit Message

More than 150 posts | MASTER

View profile

More than 300 posts | TOP BOSS

Email member