I was in my LGS yesterday and spotted this revolver. Based on the little bit of research that I did, it appears to be a transitional postwar "I" frame. It has 3 1/4" barrel. Round butt with the serial number on the front strap of the grip frame. 32 long. All matching numbers including the stocks. Serial number 5461XX (late 40's?). The condition is excellent, cosmetically and mechanically. I was looking for verification of the model, the value of the gun, and any other pertinent information. Thanks for the help.
Postwar transitional "I" frame?
- Thread starter sodacan
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Postwar Regulation Police...And a nice one...
...Ben
...BenWell you found a rare beauty, congrats!
It's a hand ejector, but it's the "Model .32 Regulation Police" due to the rd to sq butt factory grips. Notice the rebate in the back strap of the rd butt grip frame.
The # puts it squarely into the Post War Transitional period of the late 1940s, c. 1949.
It still has some pre war features like the 'double pinch' cyl release thumb piece and the flat silver (chrome plated over brass) medallions with sharp cornered checkering borders. But a post war extraction rod with no knob, just a knurled tip, and it's left hand thread.
To confirm it's a transitional because serial #s don't always tell the entire story, look for the post war improved hammer block safety with sliding bar in the hammer channel and the associated notch in the hammer face just below the hammer nose (firing pin).
The 3 1/4" barrel was far less seen then the 4 1/4" barrel.
Hope that helps,
It's a hand ejector, but it's the "Model .32 Regulation Police" due to the rd to sq butt factory grips. Notice the rebate in the back strap of the rd butt grip frame.
The # puts it squarely into the Post War Transitional period of the late 1940s, c. 1949.
It still has some pre war features like the 'double pinch' cyl release thumb piece and the flat silver (chrome plated over brass) medallions with sharp cornered checkering borders. But a post war extraction rod with no knob, just a knurled tip, and it's left hand thread.
To confirm it's a transitional because serial #s don't always tell the entire story, look for the post war improved hammer block safety with sliding bar in the hammer channel and the associated notch in the hammer face just below the hammer nose (firing pin).
The 3 1/4" barrel was far less seen then the 4 1/4" barrel.
Hope that helps,
A cherry example like yours could go for $600 - $700 plus, depending on your local market. What did you pay for it?
I am just looking at this point. 32's and "I" frames are a little out of my wheelhouse. It's on consignment at the shop for $925.00. The price was set by the consignor, and more than I'm willing to pay with little or knowledge about it. It's sitting in the display case and it winked at me. I may make an offer. I appreciate all the information.
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Yes during the pre war period, but like yours with rd butt grip frame and sq butt stocks. Until the Model of 1953 New I frames, (the Pre Models) when the sq butt had a true sq butt grip frame.
However after WWII we start to see "hybrids" as shown by Mbrgr1 in both the .32 and .38 S&W cartridges.
Note: the .38 S&W RPs were marked as such on the barrel, but not the .32 RPs which is a cause of confusion.
The Pre Model 30, Model 30 and Model 30-1 (on the J frame) have round butts and are labeled Hand Ejector models. The Pre Model 31, Model 31 and Model 31-1 have sq butts and labeled Regulation Police models. Later in 1976 the Model 30-1 was discontinued and all versions, rd and sq butts, were called the Model 31-1 until discontinued in 1991.
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Such old guns in such rare pristine condition can be priced overly high because, there's usually someone out there with deep enough pockets that will pay the price. But not always. And the owner wants the buyer to pay his consignment fee.
Unless that gun is auctioned on-line, it'll likely sit there for some time. Keep your eye on it and after a few months the owner my decide he over priced it and be more willing to negotiate the price. And then again it could sell for that even w/o the exposure of an auction. We just never know these days!
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Good advice. I'm well aware of how to play the game, but I only play when I can at least level the playing field. This forum has helped me do that more than a few times. The knowledge available here never ceases to amaze me. Thanks again.
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