I recently bought a .32 Regulation police and am trying to narrow down the date. Serial number appears to be 324501 (assuming I'm reading the right number) which the Standard Catalog has as 1911-1941. Any way to narrow that down? Am I using the right number? Underneath the crane it's stamped 47829.
That's a real screamer! Congrats on a very nice example.
I agree 324501 likely shipped about mid 3rd quarter 1920. And since it is past #321000, it has a heat treated cyl which began in 1920.
The B in front of the barrel # means it came originally with a blue finish.
ASSEMBLY (factory work) #s: These multi-digit numbers of 3 to 5 digits, are on the yoke at the hinge, in the ‘yoke cut’ of the frame opposite the yoke near the hinge (usually accompanied with the inspector’s letter or # code stamp of approval, but not always), and inside of the sideplate, for the pre war and early post war period thru ~early 1958.
After 1957 Model #s were assigned and stamped on the frame in the yoke cut. The serial # was soon after added in the ‘yoke cut’ as well and the assembly # moved to the left side of the grip frame parallel to the butt. More currently beginning in the 1980’s we see non-matching multi-digit numbers parallel to the butt left or right side, and inside the side plate. Once the gun is shipped, the only use for the assembly # is to confirm the three parts it's stamped on, are original to the gun. These are still in use to this day.
B_Still asks if factory letter increases value enough to offset the cost. I believe you will gather all sorts of opinions on this question, but from my perspective the general answer would be "mildly interesting" on most all guns.
I have Lettered many of my collection, simply for the established provenance in writing of its' original configuration, original ship date, and destination. Except for genuine documented association with know persons or events of historical significance, the normal Letters can be seen as "mundane" however again to me..I like them for what they are......."history".
Some examples: The first modern hand ejector (Model of 1899). Mine was one of the 1000 made for the US Army. I didn't know the exact ship date until I Lettered it. Turns out 1901, corresponds with military inspector JJT 1901 on grip panel (John J Thompson...inventor of the famous submachine gun). Also as far as I know mine was the 29th one of the 1000 by serial number, which as far as I can find out is the oldest known survivor at this date.
Another is my 1942 Navy Victory...plain Jane specimen, but was it really ordered by, shipped to the US Navy, or was it a fake. The Letter confirmed my gun as genuine.
I even do modern guns, again simply for info to confirm original configuration, finish, grips, etc. My Model 27-2, Blue, 3-1/2" is another example of this type of Lettering.
So.......are the Letters worth the $65 (if you are a Member of both SWCA and SWHF) or the $100 if you are non-Member? Only you can determine if information is valuable to you or not.
Does the Letter automatically add value to the gun? Of course not, but it will certainly not detract from value either and will certainly refute tire kickers, and other "experts" when you are are selling that always seem to know more than the factory.
I look at Letters like ammo....maybe you paid $400 for a gun, and put $1,000 in ammo through it, and countless hours shooting, cleaning and basically enjoying the gun. What is another $65 to have proof of its origin and configuration?
__________________
Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570
Last edited by cmansguns; 10-04-2020 at 08:39 AM.
Reason: correct name of poster
If I were to buy the S&W birth certificate letter, would that increase its value to be worth the cost? or just be mildly interesting?
Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk
I have a "Plain Jane" 38 M&P in its original box. Paid a little more because it was clean and in its box. I debated getting it lettered. I asked Dr. Jinks if he thought I should letter it being it was nothing special. His reply was "absolutely". Sent for the letter. It came back belonging to Frank Wesson, Treasurer, Smith & Wesson. Was the cost of the letter worth it, what do you think. Did it raise the value of my gun?
Don't letter it. The cost will not be returned and is likely 1/4 the value of the gun. These little .32's are fun to shoot but don't bring much at sale.
If $100 cost for the letter doesn't bother you, order one. But recognize it probably will not tell you anything much more than you already know, aside from providing an exact shipping date. Nearly always, the first destination will be some S&W distributor or a retailer, not the first purchaser.
Date for my 32 Regulation Police
Linear Mode
