If your gun is stamped V235,000 , it was likely produced in mid-to-late 1942. If your gun is stamped V750,000 , it is a late-war production (1944/45).
: If you have an early "V" prefix serial number, check the right side of the frame near the hammer or the rear face of the cylinder for a stamped "S" . This indicates the gun was sent back to a military arsenal or the S&W factory to be retrofitted with the safety hammer block post-1944. An original, un-retrofitted early Navy model often commands a premium among purists.
The (smith-wessonforum.com) maintains an extensive Victory Model Database maintained by collectors Charlie Flick and LWCmdr45. This community project has been collecting data from Victory Model owners for over a decade. The database tracks:
Many Victory Models were sold as surplus after World War II and imported into the United States by various commercial importers. Common import marks include (Vega Arms of Sacramento, California) and other distributor stamps. These import marks were required under the Gun Control Act of 1968 and, while detracting from collector value, provide a verifiable provenance for the gun's post-war history.
Use the table below to quickly identify your model based on the markings on the : s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality
The Victory Model inherited the architecture of the legendary .38 Military & Police (M&P) line. Production numbers are categorized into chronological ranges spanning early WWII through the war’s end: Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers
The Victory Model was a wartime variant of Smith & Wesson's legendary revolver, which would later be known as the Model 10. When the United States entered WWII, there was an urgent demand for small arms. To meet this demand, S&W simplified its manufacturing process. The high-polish “Carbonia” blue finish was replaced with a more durable and faster-to-apply parkerized (phosphate) finish , and the elegant walnut checkered grips were swapped for smooth walnut stocks.
Len stared at the screen. Then he looked down at the revolver in his hands. The extra quality wasn't a marketing term—it was a code. A secret spec for guns that had to work the first time, every time, in the dark, when the only sound was a wet thump and the faint click of a cylinder turning.
Ensure the cylinder, barrel, and frame numbers all match. Non-matching parts significantly drop the value. If your gun is stamped V235,000 , it
The Victory Model's legacy extends far beyond its wartime service. As the predecessor to the Model 10—one of the most successful handgun designs in history—the Victory Model represents the evolution of a firearm that remains in production well into the 21st century. Each surviving example carries within its serial number the echo of a global conflict, a testament to American industrial might, and a connection to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who carried them into battle.
Standard production; Includes U.S. Navy and British contracts. Jan 1945 – Aug 1945 Safety Upgrade: Introduction of the improved hammer block. S811,833 and higher Post-Aug 1945 Transition to post-war civilian M&P production.
Not all Victory Models are created equal. Collectors look for specific features that elevate a "common" service revolver to an "extra quality" or high-value collectible piece. A. Original Finish (Parkerized vs. Blue)
If your revolver’s serial number does not follow this pattern, you may be looking at a post-war commercial M&P or a cloned fake. This indicates the gun was sent back to
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Serial number dating can only provide approximate ship dates—not exact manufacture dates. For precise information, you must obtain a factory letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. The letter will provide the exact date the revolver left the factory and its original destination.
Collectors prioritize certain variations of the Victory model. Look for these signs of superior, earlier production:
Indicates the revolver was refurbished in a British or Australian arsenal (e.g., "FTR / MA 53" means it was repaired at the Lithgow arsenal in Australia in 1953).
: Numbers visible inside the crane or yoke area when the cylinder is swung open are temporary factory assembly numbers, not the serial number. 2. Decode the Serial Number Prefix
Look at the barrel stampings. If it reads or ".38 S&W CTG" but chambers a .38 Special, it has been altered.