Bavarian Police Victory Model.... .38 SW

yellowsled · Jun 11, 2016

I am not into wheel guns, but I do like me some police issued firearms. The finish is all but gone and there is a nice "patina" no rust. Lockup and action is spot on and has US property marks on the top, but well worn and grips are obviously incorrect. I sold a Garand at the gun show today so I had a few bucks in my pocket and this was pretty inexpensive. From what I read, this is one of 7-8000 that were issued to German police post war. Also came with a black holster.

Any input or comments are appreciated, and if anyone had a lead on inexpensive replacement grips please let me know....

normbal · Jun 11, 2016

Very cool. I managed to acquire a Bavarian Forestry Service marked M1 carbine a few years back. I've often wondered why the US military didn't just allow the herms to keep their issue weapons (I've seen photographs of the piles of weapons turned in by the surrendering forces of the Wehrmacht... it would bring tears to your eyes), bring back all the US guns. But of course those decisions were way before my time and far above my highest pay grade (O3-P). Enjoy.

D'oh, forgot this: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...t-bavaria-municipal-police-victory-model.html

12a10 · Jun 11, 2016

Very nice! What condition is the bore? I have a couple of NOS original barrels--parkerized, still in original grease--if you need one as a replacement.

good guy 176 · Jun 11, 2016

Very nice find. Will fit in with the Bavarian marked Carbines and any other piece from the WWII era. You might find grips on GunBroker or on the free CMP Wanted forum.

Lew--Ranger63

dist1646 · Jun 11, 2016

What are the grips made of??

somd_mustangs · Jun 11, 2016

dist1646 said:
What are the grips made of??

I betcha they say "Franzite" on the back... very popular aftermarket grips in the 40's and 50's (maybe later?).
Made/sold by Sports Inc out of Chicago.

yellowsled · Jun 11, 2016

somd_mustangs said:
I betcha they say "Franzite" on the back... very popular aftermarket grips in the 40's and 50's (maybe later?).
Made/sold by Sports Inc out of Chicago.

I haven't taken them off, but them seem to be some sort of plastic type of material. I already picked up a set of original replacement ones off ebay.

12a10 said:
Very nice! What condition is the bore? I have a couple of NOS original barrels--parkerized, still in original grease--if you need one as a replacement.

The bore seems nice, but if you really want to get rid of one, let me know!

fivepointstar · Jun 11, 2016

Beauty!!!

somd_mustangs · Jun 12, 2016

Being a curious sort, I asked myself "why is the Bavaria Municipal Police marking in English?"

Found this on the Smith & Wesson forum:

A WW2 vet friend of mine, that had served with the occupation troops in the American sector, said that the guns turned over to the Germans by the British were marked in German, by the German units in the British sector with the various dep't stamps where the gun were issued. The guns issued in the American sector by the Americans were marked in English with the unit's designation, so that American MPs, etc. could then tell that a German with one of these guns was probably a legitimate member of the local law enforcement, should he be in plain clothes.

Guess that makes as much sense as anything else.

They also pointed out this link, which is very interesting:
http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/bavaria.html

(check further down the page for the revolvers)

chooks9 · Jun 25, 2016

Nice! I'd love to find a S&W Victory or Webley Mk IV in .38/200.

Melnic · Jun 28, 2016

chooks9 said:
Nice! I'd love to find a S&W Victory or Webley Mk IV in .38/200.

Get in line
Get in line

yellowsled · Jun 28, 2016

Got some period correct grips for it the other day...

yellowsled · Jun 28, 2016

somd_mustangs · Jun 28, 2016

Those wood grips really make a difference!
Nice patina to them, they look perfect on that.

traveller · Jun 28, 2016

Those grips are perfect.

Bavarian Police Victory Model.... .38 SW

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