| Serial Number Range | Approximate Ship Date | Caliber | Notable Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | V 1 – V 10,000 | April – June 1942 | .38 S&W | First contract; checkered walnut grips; “U.S. PROPERTY” on top strap | | V 10,001 – V 200,000 | July 1942 – Feb 1943 | .38 S&W | Smooth walnut grips; parkerized finish begins | | V 200,001 – V 450,000 | March 1943 – Jan 1944 | .38 S&W | “V” prefix only; lanyard ring standard | | V 450,001 – V 700,000 | Feb 1944 – Sept 1944 | .38 S&W | High polish beneath parkerizing; British proofs possible | | V 700,001 – V 769,000 | Oct 1944 – May 1945 | .38 S&W | Last of the .38/200 British contract | | SV 1 – SV 75,000 | June – Dec 1945 | .38 Special | “S” indicates hammer block safety; extremely rare & high value |
Most “extra quality” listings on auction sites are actually “good” condition. Do not pay $1,500 for a gun with mismatched grips and a cloudy bore. Part 8: The Final Word – Why You Need This Lookup Skill The S&W .38 Victory Model is a cornerstone of military revolver collecting. But for every authentic example, there are three cobbled-together fakes. By mastering the serial number lookup and the extra quality checklist above, you transform from a casual buyer into an informed curator. s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality
Between 1942 and 1945, Smith & Wesson produced over 800,000 units of the revolver, officially designated the “Victory Model.” These were finished with a dull sandblast or parkerized finish (not the shiny blue of civilian guns) to reduce glare in the Pacific theater. | Serial Number Range | Approximate Ship Date
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. A proper S&W .38 Victory Model serial number lookup requires you to locate the original stamping. Do not rely on the number on the butt alone—forgers often re-stamp that. For extra quality verification, you must check five locations : Part 8: The Final Word – Why You