Smith & Wesson Victory Model
Smith & Wesson · Revolver · Discontinued · 1942
Also known as: S&W Victory Model, .38/200 (British variant), Smith & Wesson Military & Police (wartime)
Overview
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.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 964 g (34.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 260 m/s (853 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 290 J (214 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 470 mm (18.50") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .38 Special · primary — also known as .38 Spl, .38 S&W Special, 9x29mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Swing Out Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Rebound Slide, Hammer Block
- Features: Lanyard Ring, Swing Out Cylinder, Fixed Sights, Square Butt, K Frame
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy · adopted 1942
- United States Army · adopted 1942
- Office of Strategic Services
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 352,315 · Production years: 1942-1945
352,315 .38 Special revolvers under U.S. Navy and Ordnance contracts; an additional ~590,000 .38-200 revolvers were produced for British Commonwealth forces.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Smith & Wesson
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
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.
Background
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.