Of course, I’m kidding. I believe this may be a first year production “Regulation Police.”

But, it really does look like it was recently produced. I took these pictures prior to a detailed cleaning but, I have to say it didn’t seem to have much (anything?) in the way of grime or gunpowder residue.

It is indeed my first I-Frame; I’m hoping to eventually find more. However, these days I don’t come across too many older Smiths in ANY condition.

I’d rate this one as close to NRA “Factory New” as any that I’ve ever seen. Certainly, “Excellent” grade.

Numbers match under barrel, cylinder face, on inside right grip panel, (in pencil) and on grip frame.

SN: 6093

Thanks for looking!

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Lovely!
I looked through your album photos and there may be a hint of wear on the backstrap, but I’d say that gun spent virtually all its life in a sock drawer! Nice find!

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"I also cook."

Thank you.

Actually, zero wear on it anywhere. That’s light glare (not a very good picture, for my part).

Here’s a picture in better light...



And, one more angle...

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

That's a real screamer alright! Congrats.

All other numbers around yours shipped after April 1918, so a 2nd year gun.

Those shipped in 1917 went only to ~ #5000.

Also it has no logo stamp on either side of the frame.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Man, absolutely gorgeous! And I’m sure it looks even more stunning in person.

Wow! They don't come much cleaner than that. Very nice!

That's a gorgeous example. Congratulations!

You might consider posting photos and a description on this thread: Early 38 Regulation Police There's a lot of information there. Unfortunately, some of the earlier photos are lost on that thread. Still, that thread deserves this new entrant.

I see only one thing wrong with the condition of your .38 RP. You won't want to shoot it!

I have a very early .38 RP displayed here: S&W .38 Regulation Police #1993 I don't have the heart to shoot mine either. I have another, fairly well-used, but not abused .38 RP that I enjoy a the range.

Moral of the story: You are going to need another .38 RP so you can enjoy shooting one.

Curl

Amazing! Congrats!

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" I don't recall, senator."

I expect we'd be surprised at the number of these guns that were bought, carried home, loaded, and stuck in a bureau or bedside table drawer, rarely to see the light of day after that. Yours is clearly one!

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Pisgah

Extraordinary!

Thank you for the good information!
So, a 2nd year?... I’ll take it! 😁

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Even that scenario fails to explain the new look of that revolver.
How is that possible? Where has it been? I am dumbfounded.

Show off!!
But, definitely worth showing off!

Your gloved hand serves to emphasize just how small the I-frame really is. That’s one of their several attractions for me. They don’t take up too much space in the safe, but are handy to carry or stash (even in the aforementioned “sock drawer.” . Is it any wonder they are so beloved?

Froggie

The part I was trying to look closely at was the ejector rod.
Sure looks good.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Paul, does this view help?...

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Nothing more needs to be said!!! OMG. Good for you!!!

Wow, just wow! Excellent snag! Congratulations.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Beautiful gun!!!

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

That is incredible, what a beauty!

For a 100+ year old, sure held up well, you are a lucky guy.

Congratulations!

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Danny
SWCA #3370 - SWHF #672

It doesn't look like anyone has ever pushed that ejector rod.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You never said, if so I missed it, how did you come by this beautiful piece? Curious minds wanna know!

Yeah, where is that time machine you are using?

Curl

Sure! I’ll tell the story. There’s not much to say in the specifics, so let me preface the telling with this:

On one of my frequent visits to my favorite “fishing hole” about 3 years ago, I saw they had taken in a couple of blued Smith & Wesson J-Frames. Then, as now, I was not very well read on these revolvers, but I noted then that at least one was a “flat latch.” Calibers were .38 Special and .32 S&W Long. I couldn’t afford both examples but I could have gotten one. I let them both sit for a couple of days and... poof! -they were gone! I have regretted letting them “get away” ever since. I resolved after that to do some reading (much of it here, thank you kindly) and to be ready with cash-in-hand the next time a nice example came up.

Well, last week I was convalescing from surgery and being at a point where I could drive, I did the logical thing and started looking. (I should add here that I had just made a very favorable gun deal that put money in my pocket, as required for this whole plan to work... Lol!)

I made my usual rounds and decided, with extra time on my hands to venture to an adjacent town. In a pawn shop I had been successful in prior to this outing, I saw the I-Frame under the glass (!). Always the poker player ♠️ , I asked to see “that little revolver, third one down...”

Yes, I was truly amazed at the condition. And, no I did not let on.
In fact, I bargained down the price as low as I could get it, hemmed ‘n hawed, then left. I drove home empty-handed.

Once at the house, I started my research... again, thank you fine forum members for your knowledge and good reference pictures.

Realizing my egregious mistake, I zipped back to the pawn shop and sealed the deal! Oh, happy day! Heh heh heh.

One more pic...

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Good for you. I would not have had the nerve to leave it , it would have come home with me right off . That's magnificent !

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun