S W 38 Victory Model Serial Number Lookup Extra Quality [patched] (2024)

To begin your lookup, you must find the serial number in the correct location. On a genuine Victory Model, the serial number is located on the .

Original finishes are dull, grey-black, and matte. A shiny, bright blue finish or heavy chrome/nickel plating means the gun was refinished. This strips away historical value. 6. How to Get a Certified Factory Letter

Revolvers in the 700,000 to 1,000,000 range without a "V" prefix were produced just before the official Victory series started in April 1942. "Extra Quality" & Authentication Markers Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers

The defining visual characteristic of the Victory Model is the in the serial number. The finish is typically a dull, parkerized gray or blue, and the grips are usually smooth walnut (without the medallions found on commercial guns). s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality

The S&W Victory Model was produced from approximately 1942 to 1945, with over 800,000 units manufactured for U.S. and Allied forces.

To verify your revolver's authenticity, check for the serial number in these key locations:

S&W .38 Victory Model Serial Number Lookup: A Guide to Extra Quality & History To begin your lookup, you must find the

Here is a detailed look at the Victory Model, how to decode its serial numbers, and what makes an example "extra quality."

Before diving into the lookup process, you must understand what the Victory Model is—and isn’t.

Initial production; primarily for British Commonwealth (.38/200). V40,001 – V769,000 1942 – Late 1944 A shiny, bright blue finish or heavy chrome/nickel

"Super Victory" models, often featuring a modification to the hammer block safety mechanism, introduced around 1944.

If your serial number has no “V” or “SV” prefix, it is not a Victory Model. It is a standard M&P from the 1930s or post-1946.

If the numbers are mismatched or missing in any two locations, the revolver is a “parts gun” and loses 60% of its collectible value.

The most defining feature is the serial number located on the butt of the grip frame, which starts with the letter "V".