For an official factory record, owners can request a History Letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation , which verifies the exact shipping date and recipient. 3. Evaluating "Extra Quality" and Collector Value
Look for "U.S. Property" on top or British proof marks on the frame. s w 38 victory model serial number lookup extra quality
Serial numbers SV769,001 to SV811,119. Following a fatal shipboard accident where a dropped revolver discharged, S&W integrated a new hammer block safety. The serial number prefix changed to "SV" . For an official factory record, owners can request
The reply came not as a page load, but as a private message within sixty seconds. Property" on top or British proof marks on the frame
Some older "V" prefix guns were sent back to the factory to be upgraded. These often have an "S" added as a prefix or suffix to their original serial number on the butt. U.S. Militaria Forum Lookups: What Your Serial Reveals V Prefix (Approx. V1 to V769,000): Standard WWII production (1942–1945). SV Prefix (Starting ~Jan 1945): Incorporates the improved safety hammer block. Marks of Service: "Property of U.S. Navy" "U.S. Property G.H.D."
: Stamped on the left frame near the hammer. This stands for Guy H. Drewry, the military inspector of ordnance at the time.
The main serial number is located on the butt of the grip. To confirm the gun is original and not a "Franken-gun" assembled from mismatched parts, you should check several other locations. An authentic S&W revolver should have the serial number in at least five of the following places: