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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-16-2018, 04:32 PM
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I just inherited three ancient revolvers.

I remember my Grandma carrying this revolver in her purse when I was a child (I'm 49 now). The double action revolver originally belonged to my Great Grandfather. Now it's mine. I would really appreciate any help with regards to identifying the model number and year of manufacture. Also, it locks up tight and there is plenty of rifling left. Is it safe to fire with modern ammunition?

It is .38 S&W caliber.
Markings on the side of the barrel say "Regulation Police".
Behind the yoke is the number: 2279.
The serial number is: 57XX.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Old 05-16-2018, 04:42 PM
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A .38 S&W RP (it is called the Regulation Police Model) with SN 57xx probably shipped in early 1918. On my list is 56xx which shipped in 3/18, also 65xx shipping in 4/18. It will be safe to fire with any .38 S&W ammunition you can find, except .38 S&W ammunition is somewhat difficult to find, most dealers will not stock it. You may have to have it special ordered by a dealer or ordered from internet sources. And it is not cheap. It is not the same as .38 Special ammunition.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:33 PM
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A fine 100 year old family treasure. Congrats.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:41 PM
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My local Bass Pro shop stocks 38 S&W.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:44 PM
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Welcome to the Forum.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:30 PM
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You're killing me- What are the other two?
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Old 05-16-2018, 10:20 PM
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Default The other two...

The other two...

Great Grandfather's revolver

Great Grandmother's Lemon Squeezer
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Old 05-16-2018, 10:21 PM
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Thank you so much!!!!
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Old 05-16-2018, 10:48 PM
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What's the story on the guns? Were they kept around the house or what?
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Old 05-17-2018, 02:15 AM
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What a great heirloom, the best of the three!

It was introduced as a new model in 1917. It's a Hand Ejector double action revolver with a swing out cyl. First produced and sold in 1896 for a .32 Cartridge, and still the same basic design used today in many sizes up to and including S&W's 500 Magnum.

There's better self defense cartridges these days but it'll do, just keep pulling the trigger when needed. The police carried these for many years, hence the name.

More fun to shoot than a 38 Spl! And very accurate. With a few modifications these 38 S&W I frames were made until 1974. Some had shorter barrels and smaller grip frame shapes.
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Old 05-17-2018, 02:55 PM
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What's the story on the guns? Were they kept around the house or what?


The two nickel revolvers look identical to one I have. I did a little digging for info on mine and found that they were sold at many hardware stores under different names. I think mine was H&R but the manufacturer would apparently supply them marked with whatever brand name you as a store owner wanted. I think mine is a .38 short. It is well worn. I have not fired it.

Bob


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Old 05-17-2018, 03:46 PM
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Around the turn of the century there were many manufacturers of revolvers other than Colt and S&W. Those were the "quality" makers of that time, and to my knowledge, they never produced house brand revolvers for chain stores, etc. as others did. They were also sold for double to triple the price of similar revolvers. H&R and Iver Johnson were the best known US manufacturers of the "economy" revolvers, but there were several other makers in addition to foreign imports. There was a large market for them due to their substantially lower prices vs. Colt and S&W revolvers.

Last edited by DWalt; 05-17-2018 at 03:48 PM.
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
Around the turn of the century there were many manufacturers of revolvers other than Colt and S&W. Those were the "quality" makers of that time, and to my knowledge, they never produced house brand revolvers for chain stores, etc. as others did. They were also sold for double to triple the price of similar revolvers. H&R and Iver Johnson were the best known US manufacturers of the "economy" revolvers, but there were several other makers in addition to foreign imports. There was a large market for them due to their substantially lower prices vs. Colt and S&W revolvers.


No doubt they were the folks responsible for the saying “hotter than a two dollar pistol”...

Bob


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Old 05-17-2018, 05:47 PM
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I love the fact that grandma carried that hogleg around in her purse!
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Old 05-17-2018, 06:08 PM
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Welcome to the forum!! Nice guns.

Best Regards, Les
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:55 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
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