. You may also find it on the rear of the cylinder and the bottom of the barrel. "V" Prefix
Never rely on a single number. Cross-check the butt, barrel flat, cylinder, yoke, and grips. When all five align, and the factory letter agrees, you have secured a piece of history with extra quality that will appreciate for decades.
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
Production moved rapidly during the war. Use this general roadmap to locate your revolver's manufacturing window: Serial Number Range Estimated Production Year Primary Recipient / Context Early 1942 Early U.S. Navy & Defense Supplies Corporation (DSC) V 40,000 to V 200,000 Split between U.S. forces and British Lend-Lease V 200,000 to V 550,000 Peak production, heavy Allied distribution V 550,000 to V 769,000 Early to Mid-1944 Final "V" only series before safety modification SV 769,001 to SV 811,119 Late 1944 to Late 1945 Introduction of the new factory safety hammer block s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality
| Condition | Serial Lookup Result | Price Range (USD) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Mismatched numbers; no original finish | $250 – $400 | | Good (Shooter) | Matching serials; 60% finish; minor pitting | $500 – $700 | | Very Fine | 90% original parkerizing; correct grips; matching numbers all 5 locations | $900 – $1,300 | | Extra Quality (Collector Grade) | Factory letter; 95%+ finish; all-correct; never modified; original lanyard; non-import marked | $1,800 – $2,500+ | | SV Series .38 Special | Rare transitional model; matching SV prefix | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Original Victory models have a dull, matte gray/green sandblasted finish (Parkerized or Midnight Black). If your Victory has a high-polished, shiny mirror blue or chrome finish, it has been refinished.
The "S" signifies the installation of this new S afety hammer block. Cross-check the butt, barrel flat, cylinder, yoke, and grips
These often featured a "brushed blue" finish rather than the standard matte finish.
The inspection stamp of Guy H. Drewry, the military inspector of ordnance.
This comprehensive guide will help you accurately identify, date, and value your S&W Victory Model. 1. What Defines a True "Victory" Model? Smith & Wesson introduced this prefix in 1942
The Smith & Wesson Victory Model is more than just a firearm; it is a piece of living history. Produced during World War II to meet the desperate need for sidearms among Allied forces, these revolvers are staples for collectors today. However, determining the exact history, production date, and "extra quality" features of a specific piece requires a deep dive into serial number lookups.
Many sellers claim “extra quality” referring to bore condition or lock-up. But true extra quality begins with serial number authenticity . A legitimate Victory Model serial number will fall between approximately V 1 and V 769,000 (for the .38 S&W caliber), or within the SV 1 – SV 75,000 range (for the late-war .38 Special variant).