Smith & Wesson · Revolver

Smith & Wesson Victory Model

Name: Smith & Wesson Victory Model
Brand: Smith & Wesson

Double action revolver · .38 Special · introduced 1942

Also known as S&W Victory Model, .38/200 (British variant), Smith & Wesson Military & Police (wartime)

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About the Smith & Wesson Victory Model

The Smith & Wesson Victory Model is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special, built on the K-frame Military & Police platform for United States government service during World War II. Produced from 1942 to 1945 with distinctive 'V'-prefix serial numbers, it featured a Parkerized finish, a butt-mounted lanyard ring, smooth walnut grips, and a four-inch barrel. Issued widely to U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces aircrew, military police, and defense plant guards, it served as a practical sidearm when M1911A1 pistol production could not meet wartime demand.

The Victory Model earned its name from the 'V' prefix stamped before its serial number, a wartime production marker that became a morale symbol. Tens of thousands armed U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces aircrew, who carried them as survival sidearms over the Pacific and European theaters.

Smith & Wesson Victory Model specifications

General

Type: Revolver
Action: Double action revolver
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Double action
Calibres: .38 Special
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Magazine: Revolving cylinder

Dimensions

Barrel length: 102 mm (4.0 in)
Overall length: 254 mm (10.0 in)
Height: 140 mm (5.5 in)
Width: 38 mm (1.5 in)
Weight (empty): 0.96 kg (2.13 lb)

Barrel

Rifling twist: 1:19 in (470 mm)
Rifling: Right hand
Grooves: 5

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Stock: Walnut
Finish: parkerized

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 260 m/s (853 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 290 J (214 ft·lb)
Effective range: 45 m

History

Introduced: 1942
Discontinued: 1945
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Smith & Wesson

Features

Lanyard ring
Swing out cylinder
Fixed sights
Square butt
K frame

Safety

Rebound slide
Hammer block

The .38 Special version was supplied under U.S. Navy and Ordnance contracts; a parallel .38-200 (.38 S&W) variant with 5-inch barrels was produced for British Commonwealth forces under Lend-Lease. The 'V' serial prefix gave the model its 'Victory' nickname. Many examples were rebuilt postwar and the design evolved into the Model 10.