WW II Marine Aircrew Sidearms

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by alanint

These are BOTH S&W Victory Model .38 Specials. They are the military issue version of the S&W Model 10. They were issued to Navy and USMC pilots and aircrew and marked US Navy along the left side of the top strap. Army issue models are also out there. You used to find these in mint condition, sometimes still in the box cheaply years ago. Nobody wanted them because they were parked and not deeply blued and had smooth, rather than checkered walnut grips. The trigger, hammer and lanyard loop are all nicely case-hardened.
Today examples in nice shape are usually over $500.

Interesting to know that.
I assumed they were only given M 1911 A1