WW2 "bring home" gun

[smle-man]

It was written off as Combat Loss by the Navy and is no longer a concern.

[Che762x39]

... The item in question is a parkerized S&W .38spl 4" w/ US Govt. stamped on frame. Is it legal to keep?

Those Victory Models are built like tanks and will last 100+ years.

My grandfather's keeper from WWI was a Colt 1911 and my dad's from WWII was a Remington Rand 1911A1. You got a great family heirloom.

[Che762x39]

It sounds like a S&W Victory which were issued to pilots. Does the serial number (on the heel of the grip) start with a 'V'?

I have one marked US Property. I have quite a few other WW2 issue handguns marked US Property. They are legal to possess.

That is a beauty and thank you for sharing.

[kurac]

Considering the US govt made that revolver obsolete decades ago and got rid of what they had, I am pretty sure they don't want it back.

[ElToro]

Just a side note... some of those victory models were chambered in 38 SW. Aka 38/200 for the brits. Not 38 special. If a 38 special fits in your cylinder, somebody reamed it out.
Edited to add the below post info is correct. US 4 inch model should be 38 spc; 5 inch models were British and a different caliber

[Elgatodeacero]

A U.S. Property marked Smith and Wesson Military Police Victory model should be chambered in .38 Special, not .38 S&W.

Also, this gun is likely not “drop safe” as it was probably/likely made before that change in manufacture.

Finally, it is not built like a tank, and it is only made to fire standard pressure .38 Special. Do not use .38 Special +P ammunition or you will wear this gun out quickly.

Other than that, it is a nice old piece that can be enjoyed at the range with standard pressure .38 Special ammo.

[BayBayFish]

Salute to the heros

[M1NM]

NOT in CA. Even IF dad registered them - no NFA items in CA w/o unobtainable permits.

Plenty of permits in CA. Just start a movie prop house and rent your NFA items to studios.

[SkyHawk]

A U.S. Property marked Smith and Wesson Military Police Victory model should be chambered in .38 Special, not .38 S&W.

That is incorrect. S&W made victory models for allies in 38SW and per the lend lease act they were stamped US Property, because the US Govt wanted them back. They usually have 5” barrels compared to the typical 4” barrel found on 38SPC models intended for US troops and other US security consumers.

You can find a timeline of the M&P during WW2 here http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...-timeline.html

The U. S. "Lend-Lease Act of 1941" required marking of the British .38/200 revolvers by stamping "United States Property" on the topstrap. While the exact date and serial number when this started is unknown, it is certain that the stamping appeared on some pre-Victory revolvers shipped in late 1941 at a SN around 880000. Pate indicates only that property stamping was absent on some revolvers produced from 10/41 to 4/42.

I also have such a specimen, this is original 38/200 aka 38SW manufactured in 1942

[BigPimping]

I'd love to have a real 1911. One from the military.

[93chipper]

My dad was a USN pilot in pacific '43-'45. While stationed on Saipan & Tinian he dug up several pistols & rifles, both US & Jap. He brought several home, sold or traded many, kept a few. Since he's passed I wanted to know if it is legal for me to have recovered US govt firearms, including a pistol that was issued to him.

[sigstroker]

Friend of my dad told me he brought back a "Schmeisser". Never saw it though.