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).
Standard "Victory" serial prefix used for both .38 Special (U.S. Navy/Army) and .38 S&W (British Lend-Lease) models. 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. If your gun is stamped V235,000 , it
This triggered a "crash program" at S&W to redesign the hammer block for better drop safety: The "S" Marking: Navy/Army) and
Initial production; primarily for British Commonwealth (.38/200). V40,001 – V769,000 1942 – Late 1944
The Smith & Wesson .38 Victory Model is more than just a tool; it’s a piece of the "Arsenal of Democracy." By performing a serial number lookup, you can trace whether your revolver stayed stateside for plant security or flew over the Pacific in the holster of a Hellcat pilot.