Quote:
Originally Posted by smittenwesson
New to the forum, so if some of my questions are in other threads, my apologies.
Recent purchase: Pre-War .32 Regulation Police, 3-1/4 inch barrel, walnut stepped grip, 1917 patent date on bottom of grip, SN on forestrap, cylinder, underside of barrel. Seems gently used, obviously carried a bit, bright bore, good finish. Not collector-quality, but possible shooter. Found some I-frame info through searches here, TFL, THR. Called S&W; helpful but couldn't find anything on year of manufacture.
So... may I tap into your expertise on a few questions?
1. SN is 3933XX. (Mid-late '20s, maybe the '30s?)
2. Would this one have rolled out before S&W began heat treating? Does it make any difference?
3. Would it be wise to "load five, skip one" and carry on an empty chamber, or can it be safely carried with six?
5. Ok to use modern standard 88 gr LRN short and 98 grain LRN long? Is there a WC in .32?
6. Have read/heard that the .32 round is very accurate, and supposedly, so are the I-frames in this caliber. ???????
The little revolver appeals. But, the more I get into it, something in the back of my mind says, "Caution, here. This one may be a bit too far on the vintage side."
Thank you. I look forward to learning more about this one.
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Hello Smittenwesson
I have a Regulation Police revolver in Nickel with the 3-1/4" Barrel that shipped in 1926 with serial number # 4599XX. From what I understand the Cylinders started getting heat treated in the Mid to late 1920's and your revolver serial appears to be a little before that, possibly early 1920's to The Mid 1920's range. I and J Frames are hard to tell Birth dates on as I have not found much information on their serial numbers, But MR Jinks told mine shipped on the date shown.
Your revolver will have the Early style Hammer block that was hammer Mounted. These were changed during World War II after a Victory revolver was accidentally dropped on a Flight deck of a Navy ship and discharged Killing the sailor that dropped it. All Guns from 1946 Forward will have the new style hammer block of flat twisted steel. I feel comfortable carrying mine with all 6 chambers loaded as I do not plan to drop it, but also feel the accident discharge was a freak accident that would be hard to duplicate again.
Any commercial ammo made in .32 Short or .32 S&W Long is safe as long as the revolver it is being shot from is deemed safe and Locks up tight. A Gun smith can usually inspect it and determine whether or not it is safe. The .32 S&W Long is a Low Pressure round so any ammo made by Commercial ammo company's should be fine to fire in it.
S&W did make the I-Frame revolver's in .32 W.C.F. Caliber, but the Ones older than the Mid 1920's should not be shot with any ammo made for Rifles as this style ammo is Hotter than the standard Pistol loads of that time span.
I have found any .32 S&W revolver to be super accurate, but like any other small frame revolver's Practice is Key to making hit's in the Ten Ring area Often. The Early I frames like our's have a flat Main spring, so the trigger Pull is a little stiff, but ones hold and aim is practiced enough, they too can fire tight groups like the later Coil Main spring revolvers.
The .32 S&W Long Caliber was used extensively by Police agencies from it's beginning to around the mid to late 1930's when the .38 Special round was used to replace it and then the .357 Magnum round after 1935. The Regulation Police revolver was designed for daily side arm carry by Police agencies and seemed to be fine until Thugs got more powerful weapons, and the High crime Gangsters forced police agencies to up-Grade to more Potent calibers.
Below is my 1926 Regulation Police revolver. It was owned and carried by Harry Anderson the Evansville, Indiana Police Chief strong side in a flap Holster while he rode on an experimental Motorcycle Brigade that he was in charge of in the Late 1920's. Regards, Hammerdown
