S W 38 Victory Model Serial Number Lookup Extra Quality Jun 2026

Late-war models (starting around December 1944) used a "VS" prefix to indicate the inclusion of a new improved hammer block safety .

If you want to pin down the exact day your revolver shipped and its original destination, consider ordering an official . Dr. Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, reviews the original factory ledgers to provide a certified document detailing your specific serial number's history.

To preserve your Victory Model's value:

If you are in the market for a Victory Model, follow these steps to avoid costly mistakes: s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality

Before searching the database, you must find the serial number in its primary location. On a true Victory Model, the serial number is located on the .

Before tracking down a specific manufacturing date, it is crucial to understand the baseline factory configurations. Deviations in these attributes can signal aftermarket alterations, impacting the firearm's total value. U.S. Military Issue Variant British / Commonwealth Variant (BSR) .38 S&W Special (Most Common) .38 S&W (.38/200 British) Barrel Lengths 2-inch or 4-inch (Standard) 5-inch (Standard) Factory Finish Sandblasted Parkerized (Dull Gray/Green) Black Oxide / Parkerized Grip Material Smooth, uncheckered walnut Smooth, uncheckered walnut Hardware Lanyard swivel ring attached to butt Lanyard swivel ring attached to butt How to Locate and Identify the Correct Serial Number

The S&W 38 Victory model, produced during World War II, is an iconic revolver that has garnered a reputation for its reliability, accuracy, and durability. Chambered in .38 Special, this six-shot revolver was designed to meet the demands of military and law enforcement agencies. Between 1942 and 1945, S&W manufactured over 378,000 Victory models, making it one of the most widely produced firearms of its kind. Late-war models (starting around December 1944) used a

The Smith & Wesson .38 Victory Model is a wartime variant of the iconic Military & Police (M&P) revolver, produced between . Identifying a high-quality "Victory" involves checking serial number prefixes and specific military-grade markings that distinguish it from standard commercial models. Serial Number Lookup & Dating The serial number is located on the butt of the grip frame .

While there is no official S&W free online registry, the Smith & Wesson Forum's Victory Model Database is an extensive community resource that can often provide approximate ship dates and configuration information. You can post your serial number in the forum's "Hand Ejectors" section with photographs for community assistance. The database maintainers also accept direct contributions to help expand their reference knowledge.

In the 1940s, Smith & Wesson began to use a single letter prefix with some of its revolver models. This helps with identification; Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, reviews the

The defining characteristic of a true Victory Model is the letter prefix. Smith & Wesson introduced this prefix in 1942 after the standard military/commercial serial numbers approached the 1,000,000 mark. Where to Find the Serial Number

Models shipped to Britain, Australia, or Canada typically feature a 5-inch barrel chambered in .38 S&W (known as the .38/200). 2. Original Finish vs. Arsenal Refinish

One forum member documented receiving a factory letter stating that a .38 M&P Model of 1905 4th Change with serial number 994196 was shipped on May 25, 1942, to the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. This level of precision is unmatched by any other resource.

You're looking for information on the S&W Model 38 Victory, a classic firearm produced during World War II. The Model 38, also known as the "Victory" model, was a .38 Special caliber revolver that was produced from 1942 to 1945.