Went to a shop to pick up some Titegroup today, and saw this old RP in the case:



Bore looks good, action is fine. Serial is 13299, so I'm guessing early 1920-- the database shows 147** at 10/20, so that's as close as I'm gonna get unless somebody has more detail.

Well, I guess it's not my first .38 S&W... I have an H&R from the late 1880s in .38 S&W, but it's black powder. I guess I should have said it's my first S&W .38 S&W.

It would be from the early 1920s (probably 1920) but I don't have any particularly close RP SNs on my list. Closest is 103xx which shipped in 11/19. I'd like to find one like it.

The best guess is indeed 1920. Since you're a member, why not put in a ship date request to Roy?

It has both the non-medallion stocks and the left-side small logo, so it is "in full 1920s mode"

I am waiting for my .38 RP to be shipped to me. Serial number on mine is 7103 and has medallion stocks. I figure if mine is 1919 that would put the op's in 1920. Can't wait to get out and shoot some .38 S&W. Has to be a fun round at the range. Op has a nice gun and I'm glad it was saved by one of us to shoot and take care of. I figure the gun's we find get to retire in luxury by getting out to shoot occasionally and being clean and lubed at all times. Enjoy

You’ve actually got something relatively uncommon.

While the initial batch from March to early fall of 1917 (up to approx. #5000) is fairly well represented by surviving specimen, including ones owned by forum members, the next several thousand, about 5000 to 8000, seem to be a bit of a black hole.

Disproportionally few guns are known with 6, 7 and 8-thousand serials; a few have lettered as shipped during 1918 and earlier 1919, but when more numerous shipments pick up in later 1919, guns in the 9- and 10-thousands are shipping. It’s a bit of a puzzle what happened to all those serials in-between.

I definitely will! It surely is a useful perk of membership. Mr. J has kindly looked up a few for me.

Watch it, these older S&W's are addicting.