Smith And Wesson 38 Special Serial Number Decoder

Posted : admin | On 05-10-2021

The Victory Model Smith and Wesson .38 Caliber Revolver

The revolvers of the U.S. armed forces have always been under appreciated by collectors, the good news is that makes them relatively inexpensive to acquire, but this is changing. At a recent trip to the 2003 Louisville gun show I noticed prices on Victory revolvers had increased noticeably. That being said you might want to consider adding a few Victory models to your USGI collection.

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15 is a six-shot double-action revolver, with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size 'K' frame.It is chambered for the.38 Special cartridge and is fitted with a 4-inch (100 mm) barrel, though additional barrel options have been offered at various times during its production. I just purchased my first revolver from J&G Sales. It is a Smith & Wesson model 64 in.38 special. As it is used I was curious if anyone knew when it was manufactured? I believe you can tell by the serial number if i've heard correctly. The serial number is CEM3832. I bought it for $279 and it's in amazing condition.

While the information I provide below can be helpful please see the list on the bottom of this page for reference material you should have if you are going to collect these historical pieces . The Victory model revolvers participated in various roles from guard duty to riding in a shoulder holster with fighter and bomber pilots. I have talked to many ex-military personnel that carried them as late as the 1980s, as you can see these pistols played a significant part of our history. To this day the Victory model is a very enjoyable shooting collectible, mainly due to its inexpensive cost, light recoil, and good accuracy.
Enjoy and happy collecting, Ty

The Victory model was so named for the 'V' prefix which was placed before the serial number and represented 'Victory' against the Axis powers in World War II.

Serial numbers for the .38 special Victory model began at about V1 in early 1942 and ran until VS811119 with a date of late August of 1945 (end of production). V1 to approximately V39,999 were predominately .38 S&W Caliber (I have observed revolvers in the 1-40000 range in .38 special caliber). Serial numbers are located on Inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of barrel. Crane and crane recess are also serial numbered to each other, but this is a different number then the revolvers serial number as is correct for Victory model revolvers.

The Victory Revolver was produced during World War II, it is a variation of the Military & Police Model of 1905, fourth change and had the following characteristics between 1942 and 1945:

Barrel: 2, 4, 5, or 6 inch. (4 inch common in .38 special, 5 inch common in 38/200 or .38 S&W)
Sights: Fixed
Finish: Early sandblast blue, sandblast mid-night black (appears grayish black). And finally a parkerized finish. Hammer and Trigger are case hardened.
Grips: Checkered walnut with medallion until early 1942, post February of 1942 they are smooth American Walnut with out medallions.

Ordnance acceptance marks:
The acceptance mark varies with the particulars of the order placed. With U.S. Navy orders you will find no acceptance marks on the original two contracts they placed. On later Navy revolvers, ordered through the Army they will be found with the more typical Army G.H.D. acceptance mark. Below you will find some of the common stamps with links to examples.

W.B. - The acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Waldemar Bromberg is located on the butt (to about serial number V145000). Just to the right of the acceptance mark (W.B.) is usually found an ordnance bomb and proof mark. The 'P' proof mark indicates this revolver has passed military proof testing. EXAMPLE – Click Here

G.H.D – From approximately 1942 to about May 1943 the acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Guy H. Drewry is found on the butt. From approximately V300000 to end of production G.H.D is found on the left top strap; EXAMPLE – Click Here

Property marks:
The most common property marks found on the Victory model are the UNITED STATES PROPERTY, US PROPERTY, and the US NAVY markings.

UNITED STATES PROPERTY – Found on left top strap to approximately V300000 and on the M&Ps pre Victory. Applied at the S&W factory. Example - Click Here

U.S. PROPERTY – The property mark was shortened to 'U.S. PROPERTY' at about serial number V300000. At this time the G.H.D acceptance mark was moved from the butt to the left top strap with the property mark. Applied at the S&W factory. EXAMPLE – Click Here

U.S. NAVY – Found on the revolvers left top strap as per the two Navy contracts. The Navy also applied a Property mark on the left side plate on some revolvers; these were filled in with red paint. This is not an S&W applied marking. EXAMPLE – Click Here and Here for the Navy applied mark.

Victory models have also been produced with out property marks, these revolvers were probably delivered by the U.S. Defense Supply Corporation (DSC) to defense contractors and public agencies that required them for guarding war sensitive materials.

Other common markings:
S - Revolvers that have the 'S' marking on the right side plate as well as before the serial number on the butt have the improved hammer block installed. If the 'S' in the serial number on the butt appears to be machine applied this would indicate it was produced with improved hammer block, and that it was not added later or it would have been hand stamped. The improved hammer block was put into production after an accidental discharge killed a sailor during World War II. This improved hammer block is still utilized in today's commercial Smith and Wesson revolvers. EXAMPLE – Click Here

P – Proof marking. This can very depending on the contract. Navy marked pistols usually have none. But C.W. Pates books indicate that some delivered under an Army contract could be found with a P mark. Post the V400,000 serial number range they are located on the underside of the barrel, back of the cylinder and left side plate. The later appear to be Army Supply Program contract revolvers. EXAMPLE – Click Here

Serial Numbers:
Serial numbers are located on the inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of grip. Serial numbers should be matching on all revolvers. Crane and Crane recess are also serial numbered to each other, but this is a different number then the revolvers serial number and is correct for Victory model revolvers.
Grip/StockEXAMPLE – Click Here
Barrel EXAMPLE – Click Here
Cylinder EXAMPLE – Click Here
Extractor Start EXAMPLE – Click Here
Butt EXAMPLE – Click Here

Smith And Wesson 38 Special Serial Number Decoder Lookup

Production:
38/200 British Service Revolver (S&W Caliber) - There were over 571,629 of these models produced between October 1941 and May 1945 for the British Common wealth countries. These countries include the Union of South Africa (21,347), Canada (45,328), and Australia (8,000). The remaining 384,100 shipped between 1941 and the end of World War II were supplied by the U.S. Army Ordnance through the lend lease program to Britain for distribution.

Victory model 38 Special – 352,000 shipped to the Army and Navy. Some of these were shipped to a commission responsible for supplying the civilian industries. They will usually have no property marks. Uses included guarding factories, ports, and federal/local government agencies.

Note: You can find all kinds of variations, with additional war and post war markings. These include rebuild markings, country ownership markings, unit markings, and much more. For a complete listing see the books referenced below.

Recommended reading:
US Handguns of WW II - The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers by Charles W. Pate
Americas Right Arm - The S&W Military and Police Revolver by John Henwood
Smith and Wesson 1857 - 1945 by Robert J. Neal and Roy G. Jinks

I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat hoping for Part 2 of The Quest for the Ideal Carry Revolver. Unfortunately, thanks to nasty winter weather and the past week’s wild ammo market, I haven’t been to the range much lately. So until I get more trigger time with the revolvers I’m trying out, enjoy my best attempt at deciphering Smith & Wesson’s revolver catalog.

We got some good feedback on our reference guide to 1st-3rd Gen S&W Semi-Autos, so for our Wheel Gun Wednesday series I thought I’d put together a similar chart for all of the S&W revolvers. And that’s exactly what I would have done except Smith & Wesson’s revolver model numbers have all been assigned by a mad genius. Sometimes there appears to be a logical numbering system at work, but it’s applied inconsistently, and varies from one product line to the next.

So instead of one big comprehensive chart for every Smith & Wesson revolver ever made, I’m offering this smaller bite-sized chunk: every post-1957 .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolver from S&W that officially entered full-scale production.

Why 1957? That’s the year when S&W switched over to assigning model numbers to each revolver rather than identifying them only by unique names (e.g., “Registered Magnum” or “Combat Masterpiece”). The nicknames still remained in many cases, but they could refer to a family or series of revolvers with similar characteristics.

Smith And Wesson 38 Special Serial Number Decoder Diagram

In the charts below, I’ve grouped the models by frame size and then by series. Where possible, I’ve listed the defining features of each series. For each model, there’s information about its caliber, frame material, sights, finish, and ammo capacity. Here’s a handy key for how to read the chart:

Series Name: Some of these names were used in the actual S&W catalog but others are just nicknames. S&W stopped using some of these names, even when production of the model continued. For example, the “Military & Police” designation was dropped from the K-frame revolvers years ago (and recycled for their polymer semi-autos and AR rifles), but I’ve kept the designation in the chart for all revolvers that fit the original M&P criteria.

Series Features: Each series is identified by some unique features that don’t typically apply to other models of that frame size.

Caliber: For this post, all models are .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Most S&W .38 Special revolvers can handle +P ammo, but the +P designation doesn’t appear on the barrel of some older models so it’s always best to contact S&W customer service and verify that it’s safe.

Frame Material: S&W has used a variety of metals to construct their revolvers over the years but the frames all have been either steel or a lightweight aluminum alloy. Some variants of the alloy guns contain Scandium for an even lighter overall weight. The absolute lightest S&W revolver have also included a Titanium cylinder. I’ve noted the use of Sc or Ti on the chart when the only available version of a given model use those alloys. Other alloy frame guns listed on the charts may have Sc frame or Ti cylinder variants that exist in addition to the standard aluminum or steel versions.

Model Number: The model number assigned to the product without any prefixes or suffixes (with the exception of the “Plus” model L-frames).

Sights: Sights can be fixed or adjustable. The fixed sights are generally a ramp style front sight with a gutter in the top strap to form the rear sight. S&W has used a variety of adjustable rear sights over the years, but most have a removable blade insert. Front sights on models with the adjustable rear can be the traditional ramp style machined into the barrel, but newer front sights are pinned, and can be removed and replaced with aftermarket front sights.

Finish: For the sake of simplicity, I’ve only used the labels “black” or “stainless” on the chart. Black can refer to a matte black finish or a glossy blue finish. Older models with a blue finish were often also available with a shiny nickel plated finish. Stainless can refer to the polished or matte stainless steel revolvers, or alloy revolvers with a silver matte finish that mimics the stainless steel look.

Ammo Capacity: All J-frame .38 Special and .357 magnum revolvers have a five-round capacity. K-frames all have six. L-frames can hold six or seven shots depending on the model. Older N-frame designs have a six-round capacity but the newer ones hold eight.

Other Info: I’ve tried to keep the chart as complete as possible while still being readable. That said, there is still information you won’t be able to find here. The most significant omission is barrel length. Almost every model has been offered in multiple barrel lengths at some point but availability varies. The more common barrel lengths are listed in the summary for each frame size.

I also haven’t listed the variants available for each model. If a model number contains a suffix like “PD” or “Lady Smith”, it might mean that it has features that distinguish it from other models in the same series. Here’s an incomplete list of the more common variants and some other suffixes you might see on model numbers:

  • PD: “Personal Defense”. Usually indicates Scandium alloy frame.
  • Sc: Indicates frame with Scandium Alloy.
  • Ti: Titanium Cylinder. Usually accompanied by Scandium alloy frame.
  • Lady Smith: Name given to a number of variants in different calibers and frame sizes. Usually accompanied by special grips and engraving.
  • Airweight: Indicates an Aluminum alloy frame.
  • Airlite: Indicates a Scandium alloy frame.
  • Night Guard (NG): Series introduced in 2008 with models in various calibers and frame sizes. All have a 2.5-inch barrel, alloy frame, steel cylinder, Tritium front sight, and a removable Cylinder and Slide brand fixed rear sight.

J-Frame

The J-frame S&W revolver has become so ubiquitous that the term is often used as a generic reference to almost any small frame snub nosed revolver. The most common barrel length for a J-frame is 1 ⅞” but 3-inch models are also plentiful along with some other less common sizes.

J-Frame model numbers are determined by frame material, hammer/action type, and finish. Unlike K and L frame revolvers, S&W doesn’t use a separate model number for J-frames with adjustable versus fixed sights.

A few J-frame models started out as being offered in only .38 special, but in the mid-1990s, were beefed up to handle .357 magnum. I’ve included each of these multi-caliber models as two separate entries in the chart.

The three major J-frame model series are as follows:

  • Chief’s special: Standard hammer. Most have fixed sights but a few have been offered with adjustable sights.
  • Bodyguard: The original S&W Bodyguard. They include a hammer shroud with a small protrusion that allows the user to cock the hammer for single action shots.
  • Centennial: This is the name generally given to all “hammerless” S&W revolvers. They aren’t literally hammerless, but the hammer is completely internal, which means these revolvers can only be fired in double action.

K-Frame

The classic S&W K-frame is one of Smith & Wesson’s most enduring designs. Picture a typical 20th century policeman’s “service revolver” and it probably looks a lot like a K-frame with a 4-inch barrel. These mid-size revolvers have also been offered with long 6-inch barrels for target models, and 3-inch, 2.5-inch, and 2-inch snub nose versions for concealment.

Model numbers are based on finish, caliber, and whether the gun has fixed or adjustable sights.

There have been three major series of .38 Special and .357 magnum K-frames along with a couple of unique models:

  • Military & Police: The original K-frame. They have fixed sights and no underlug or shroud around the ejector rod. The .357 magnum versions were added to the catalog along with the Combat Magnum series.
  • Combat Masterpiece: Essentially identical to the M&P line, but with the addition of adjustable sights. The model 68 — a special run for the California Highway Patrol — also includes a shrouded ejector rod.
  • Combat Magnum: These are the .357 versions of the Combat Masterpiece. The Combat Magnums have a shrouded ejector rod as standard.
  • Target Masterpiece: Target guns with adjustable sites and typically offered with a 6-inch barrel, but also available with 4-inch and 8 ⅜-inch barrels. The later models added a full underlug to the barrel.
  • Alloy K-frames: The only non-steel K-frame revolvers have been the 12 and 315. The Model 12 was offered for many years as a lightweight version of the model 10, but was discontinued in 1986. The 315 was offered for a very short time in 2008 as a part of the Night Guard series with a 2.5-inch barrel and upgraded sights. By some estimates, fewer than 1000 were ever produced.

L-Frame

The medium-large L-frame .357 models came along in the early 1980s as a bridge between the hefty N-frames and the smaller K-frames. Common barrel lengths are similar to the K-frames, with the 4-inch models being the most common and 6-inch, 3-inch, and 2.5-inch versions also available.

Also similar to the K-frame revolvers, the L-frame model numbers are determined by sights, finish, and frame material.

S&W has used the L-frame for a lot of its more innovative and experimental models. The 586 and 686 “plus” models were among the first 7-shot medium-frame revolvers on the market, and several lightweight alloy L-frames have been produced at various times.

  • Distinguished Combat Magnum: These are the flagship models of the L-frame line. They feature a full barrel underlug, steel frame, and adjustable sights.
  • Distinguished Service Magnum: Nearly identical to the Combat Magnum, only with fixed sights.
  • 619 & 620: These two were introduced as a replacement for the K-frame .357 models that S&W discontinued in the early 2000s. They are very similar to the 681/686, but have a slimmer barrel profile with a shrouded ejector rod rather than a full underlug.
  • 520: Not to be confused with the short-lived N-frame model 520. This was essentially an alloy framed version of the 620.
  • 386: The model with no name. There have been several versions of the 386, each with its own name and features. The common attributes are an alloy frame with a black finish and adjustable sights. With the exception of the 386 PD, all have had a 7-shot cylinder.
  • 242: The only “Centennial” hammerless Smith & Wesson that’s not a J-frame. Designed for concealed carry, it’s also the only L-frame chambered in .38 Special rather than .357 Magnum.

N-Frame

Smith And Wesson 38 Special Serial Number Decoder Online

The S&W Model 27 N-Frame was the original platform for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The design proved to be durable, but it’s considered large and heavy for a 6-shooter by today’s standards. With modern metals, S&W has managed to cram eight rounds into the newer N-frame .357s.

Special

Available barrel lengths for N-frame revolvers have varied widely over the years, and include 3 1/2-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8 3/8-inch models, among others.

Serial
  • The Original Magnums: The Model 27 was the original .357 and was initially called the “Registered Magnum”. It has a deep blue finish, shrouded ejector, and adjustable sights. The budget model 28 “Highway Patrolman” has all the same features, but with a few minor changes, such as a slightly less polished finish.
  • 8-Shot Magnums: Neither the alloy 327 or the steel 627 have had an official name. Both of these 8-shot N-frames have been offered with various features and barrel lengths.
  • Military & Police: In 1980, the New York State Police ordered a model 27 with fixed sights. The ordered was never delivered, and a few thousand of these ended up in the general market. In 2005, S&W recycled the model number 520 for an alloy L-frame .357.

Work in Progress

38 Special Band

I am by no means an expert on Smith & Wesson revolvers. Most of this information is just stuff I’ve picked up from window shopping for Smith & Wesson revolvers over the years. I’ve tried to verify and flesh out the info using other sources like the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, but there are probably some omissions and errors in there somewhere. If you spot one, be sure to let me know. I’ll be checking on this post periodically and will update it with corrections and additions when I have the chance.