Hello - I have a 32 Regulation Police, 3", with s/n 388xxx and would like to know when it was made or shipped. Has "Made In USA" stamp. Also, a value for it in mint condition. I Can not find info on SW serial numbers. Thank You!

Probably around July 1924, or thereabouts.

Welcome to the forum. 1924 is possible, but it might even be as early as 1923; S&W had no policy that forced them to ship in serial number order, so some guns went out soon after they were assembled, and others stayed in inventory for some time after manufacture.

If "mint" means 99+ percent and it has its original box, you are possibly close to or even over a thousand on valuation. If there is no box and "mint" is just shorthand for "looks really good for its age," then it's probably not more than a $600 gun. Sometimes people ask higher prices for a good RP, but it is my impression they rarely sell for what most owners think they are worth. Can you post a picture or two? That would help us get a better idea of its condition compared to other specimens with which some of us are familiar.

By the way, if you get out the tape measure again you will probably find it is a 3-1/4" barrel; that was one of the standard lengths offered for the .32 RP, the others being 4-1/4" and 6".

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David Wilson

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with David's response above including the value possibilities.

EDITED TO REMOVE INCORRECT INFORMATIOM.THX DAVID.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Jim, the OP's serial number appears to be six digits, not five. Could you have been looking at the serial numbers for the .38 RP rather than the .32?

In general, it's the '20s either way, but I just wanted to be sure I didn't misunderstand your point.

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David Wilson

Thx David,

That's exactly where I screwed up. Post revised.

I'm gettin' so old I'll need a full time editor to check all my posts soon.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The closest I have listed to s/n 388xxx is 3819xx which shipped in 8/1924. So your RP most likely shipped in the late 1924 to early 1925 period.

Thank you David - I'll try and post pictures soon. Unfortunately, there is no box but the finish and grips and overall condition is excellent as if it was kept in a drawer. The bore is in great shape and the action is excellent.

Thank you all for your timely responses. I really appreciate your help. I'll try to post pictures soon.

Hello All - attached are some pics of my 32 RP that capture its excellent condition - Thank You

SW 32rp.jpg

SW 32rp2.jpg

SW 32rp10.jpg

SW 32rp12.jpg

SW 32rp6.jpg

Welcome to the forum from Wyoming.

I'm a fan of 32 HE and RP revolvers.

Your RP is gorgeous. I recently grabbed a HE that's about 17,000 numbers younger than yours so I'll be eager to discover its approximate ship date when I get it in hand (I'm thinking mine will date to the early Great Depression era).

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob