WW II Marine Aircrew Sidearms

[alanint]

Here is a little background. I have owned a number of these and the first one I ever bought in the 1980s was $50!!

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/v...and_wesson.htm

If you do find a nice one, my friend Jim Garcia offers a nice reproduction shoulder holster for them.

http://www.garciaaviation.com/51-nav...l-holster.html

[Olle]

The Victory model can still be had for very reasonable prices, I see them at the shows now and them and the asking prices are usually in the $300-$400 range. I actually bought one for $200 a few months ago, maybe 95% condition and US property stamp on the top strap. I'm just guessing, but I suspect that many of these were issued to staff based in the US. These probably served the whole war in a holster or a desk drawer, and that's why they're usually in good condition.

The USMC issued Victory model is a rare bird though. I don't know how much they go for right now, but I always check for a USMC stamp when I find a Victory model for sale. I'm usually not that lucky, but you never know...

[alanint]

Originally Posted by Olle

The Victory model can still be had for very reasonable prices, I see them at the shows now and them and the asking prices are usually in the $300-$400 range. I actually bought one for $200 a few months ago, maybe 95% condition and US property stamp on the top strap. I'm just guessing, but I suspect that many of these were issued to staff based in the US. These probably served the whole war in a holster or a desk drawer, and that's why they're usually in good condition.

The USMC issued Victory model is a rare bird though. I don't know how much they go for right now, but I always check for a USMC stamp when I find a Victory model for sale. I'm usually not that lucky, but you never know...

I'm glad to hear they are still reasonably priced in your area. Here in South Florida, dealers price every WW2 military firearm as if it belonged to Eisenhower.

As you point out, these were issued en-mass to factory and warehouse guards, civil defense units and any other conscripted service that needed a sidearm. Most never left the US. That is why they are still available in nice shape. It is a nice WW2 firearm and a good investment for the price.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by alanint

I'm glad to hear they are still reasonably priced in your area. Here in South Florida, dealers price every WW2 military firearm as if it belonged to Eisenhower.

As you point out, these were issued en-mass to factory and warehouse guards, civil defense units and any other conscripted service that needed a sidearm. Most never left the US. That is why they are still available in nice shape. It is a nice WW2 firearm and a good investment for the price.

Just about every one I have seen has been in very good condition, so I kind of suspected that they never saw much action. That might be why the prices are reasonable, being carried by someone guarding a warehouse in Bucksnort, TN is not as glamorous as being used on a battlefield.

I'd consider it a sleeper, anything WWII is going through the roof so I suspect that it's just a matter of time before prices go up on these as well.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by alanint

Here is a little background.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/v...and_wesson.htm

Thanks for clearing that up!



I carried a S&W Model 14 [4" bbl, K-frame, adjustable rear sight] in the USAFR from when I enlisted to sometime in the mid-90's [?] when we transitioned to the M9...I was assigned Cargo Carrier duties, and had to purchase a shoulder holster locally as the NSN carried no K-frame revolver holsters that could be hidden...

Our Model 14's were both Parkerized and blued; worn and brand new...The total number for our squadron varied with the manning document, but there was a fairly common shipping of pistols back & forth between our base and the nearest depot [Griffiss AFB NY]. At that time, the air base DOD Police, CATM, and the USAFR used the same weapons, and Base Supply swapped weapons around regularly, so we could never get a good serialized inventory, just a number of individual weapons on-hand.

At one time, I did try to locate a Model 14 like I carried, but all I could find were Model 15's. In the end, I bought a Model 15 and still have it. It's puzzling that S&W would have two model numbers for the same pistol, but my 15 is identical to the 14 I carried...