Need help identifying

Henlo · #1 02-24-2021, 05:38 PM

Hello,

I *think* this is the right sub-forum for this gun. Need all the possible info on this gun I can get and maybe an estimated value if it's not too much to ask.

Please let me know what information on the gun is needed and if more pictures are needed as well.

Thank you.

rct269 · #2 02-24-2021, 06:12 PM

Well, it's the right forum; and pretty much nothing's too much to ask. This is about as far out of my area as you can get, but my knee-jerk answer is a Regulation Police of some flavor---32 or 38----and pre-war.

So what else will help the folks who'll be right along to help you? Let's start with the serial number (on the butt---possibly on the front strap). Next, the caliber---on the barrel---one side or the other. Those who know may want some more information, but that'll likely do for openers.

Ralph Tremaine

Muley Gil · #3 02-24-2021, 06:19 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

Please answer the questions that Ralph posted and we'll do our best.

murphydog · #4 02-24-2021, 06:25 PM

It's a .32 Regulation Police (six round cylinder; a .38 would hold five). If the stocks are original the gun dates to the 1930 decade, and the serial number would indeed be on the front grip strap.

Henlo · #5 02-24-2021, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rct269

Well, it's the right forum; and pretty much nothing's too much to ask. This is about as far out of my area as you can get, but my knee-jerk answer is a Regulation Police of some flavor---32 or 38----and pre-war.

So what else will help the folks who'll be right along to help you? Let's start with the serial number (on the butt---possibly on the front strap). Next, the caliber---on the barrel---one side or the other. Those who know may want some more information, but that'll likely do for openers.

Ralph Tremaine

Thank you kindly for your input and suggestions Ralph.

The caliber is .32 Long, has "PAT June 5 1917" on the butt of the gun and I've uploaded a picture of the serial because I cannot tell what one of the characters/numbers is.

two-bit cowboy · #6 02-24-2021, 06:47 PM

Welcome aboard.

I did a wee bit of "shopping" to see if that would help. I'm not accustomed to looking at these "old guys" so I can't tell. Maybe those in the know can read this.

Muley Gil · #7 02-24-2021, 06:49 PM

# 512621, shipped in April 1938, is a .32 Hand Ejector. Both .32 Regulation Police and .32 Hand Ejectors were in the same serial number range.

Only a letter from the S&W Historical Foundation can pin down the exact shipping date. The letter will also tell you to whom it shipped. Most S&Ws from this period went to distributors, hardware stores and gun shops.

GaryHK · #8 02-24-2021, 06:50 PM

Looks like 518096?

Muley Gil · #9 02-24-2021, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryHK

Looks like 518096?

That's the way I read it.

Hondo44 · #10 02-24-2021, 07:15 PM

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with Gary on the serial #. But lots of these were in inventory during the 1930s depression years and the shipping dates had no correlation to #.

Serial #s I have all around your ".32 Regulation Police Model" built on the I frame with the 4 1/4" barrel option, shipped from 1930 to 1941.

Very nice gun and could have been in the $600 ballpark if it were original, but appears to have evidence of being re-blued, therefore about half that value.

You'll want to check the backside of the right grip for a matching # to the gun for confirming originality of the grips. They are definitely the correct vintage though.

Henlo · #11 02-24-2021, 08:11 PM

Thanks guys for all the input. Seems like a great community here.

A bit unfortunate about it not being all original. But I'm sure someone out there will still be able to appreciate it for what it is. Better than it just sitting in a gun safe collecting dust I suppose.