What did I buy?

Navarre · #1 03-10-2012, 06:06 PM

I went to the gun show and fell in love with this. It was listed as a S&W Police Regulation in .38. I took some pictures....

The serial looks to be 27240? I am not sure where to look in the book for the year of manufacture. I was wondering if one of you could help me fill in the blanks. Also, if I have posted to the wrong forum year, I apologize in advance.

Thanks for helping!

Navarre

murphydog · #2 03-10-2012, 06:16 PM

Nice gun. The serial number puts it in the middle of the 1917-1940 production run, but more were probably sold before 1930 than after due to the Great Depression, so I would guess mid-1920s without knowing for sure.

Maybe someone read the barrel rollmark backward?

.38 Regulation Police it is.

ralph7 · #3 03-10-2012, 06:27 PM

did you buy that AND the nice python?
you know the regulation won't shoot .38 specials, right?

Navarre · #4 03-10-2012, 06:41 PM

Yep!

I got lucky on the Python. I was not aware of not shooting the .38 specials. Glad I posted it here! You guys are the best!! What, if any, ammo can I shoot?

Navarre

ralph7 · #5 03-10-2012, 06:48 PM

.38 smith and wesson .
it goes under several different names.
it is shorter, fatter, and less powerful than the special.

Navarre · #6 03-10-2012, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the info. I looked it up and they still sell it. Wellllllll, I guess I will just have to go back to the gun show tomorrow to see if I can find some.

After I finish cleaning her up, I will post better pictures.

Thanks again everyone!
Navarre

sophie · #7 03-10-2012, 07:42 PM

Nice find and good pictures.

____________
James

DCWilson · #8 03-10-2012, 07:51 PM

Nice find. S&W introduced the Regulation Police in both .32 and .38 S&W calibers in 1917. This was the first small-frame .38 caliber revolver the company issued in the hand ejector configuration. Earlier small-frame .38 revolvers had been top-break guns.

It's true the 38 S&W is not as powerful as the .38 Special, but you still wouldn't want to be hit by one. You will be surprised when you shoot this little gun at how stout the recoil can be from the "lowly" .38 S&W; there is plenty of energy going straight ahead when you fire one of these.

I also would guess mid-1920s production for this specimen.

mikepriwer · #9 03-10-2012, 08:26 PM

Interesting two-tone effect.

Mike Priwer

H Richard · #10 03-10-2012, 08:32 PM

FYI, to narrow down your guns age, I can tell you that s/n 27862, only 622 from your number, shipped in Dec. 1925.

Green Frog · #11 03-10-2012, 08:40 PM

Nice find there, Navarre. The RP is one of the great under-appreciated members of the pre-War S&W lineup. I've come to think of them as fine little examples of the gunmakers' art, with the most successful miniaturization of the "full sized" revolver design ever accomplished in production. A lot of law enforcement holsters of the day were home to these guns, and their owners probably didn't feel undergunned because of it. I'm currently looking for one in about the condition of yours and a set of moulds and dies to cast and reload for it, just to round out my battery of "fun guns." Congratulations and enjoy.

Regards,
Froggie

PS to Mike P: That "two-tone effect" seems to be showing up frequently of late on I-frames with moderate to heavy wear. Do I detect a trend??

K9 Rex · #12 03-10-2012, 09:07 PM

Love those I Frames. I have a .38 RP , # 23137. The .32 & .38 I Frames are fun guns to shoot. Now you need to find a Terrier ( 2" bbl .38 S&W ) to keep your RP company.

Navarre · #13 03-14-2012, 05:58 PM

I finally managed to get her cleaned up and she looks good!
The barrel surprisingly was very clean with no rust or dirt.

I was wondering about the grips. If I wanted to get a not so nice pair so I don't mess up the originals, what frame/size/model do I look for?

Navarre

K9 Rex · #14 03-14-2012, 06:54 PM

Your revolver is an " I " Frame. That frame size hasn't been manufactured since 1960 or 1961. Your's is a pre-war model. That particular model was S&W's first Round Butt to Square Butt conversion (note the patent date on the bottom of the stocks).The Regulation Police revolvers are a modified round butt. The grip frame differs slightly from a standard Hand Ejector Model of the same vintage. You may be able to find older aftermarket stocks (grips) that would work. If you remove the stocks and oil them inside and out with linseed oil they should be OK. If there are no cracks or splits already the wood drying out is the worst thing.

Navarre · #15 03-14-2012, 08:36 PM

Thanks everybody for the information about this revolver and for taking the time to share your knowledge.

Navarre

mbliss57 · #16 03-14-2012, 11:22 PM

That is in really nice shape. Do the stocks number to the gun? I obtained a set of stocks for my .38 S&W special Model of 1905 2nd change from a forum member. Grips 13. If those stocks number to the gun and you don't want to use them try him. Mine was a K frame that is an I frame.

Hondo44 · #17 03-15-2012, 06:43 AM

Any modern custom grips for the J frames that cover the backstrap will fit on it or any post war S&W J frame target grips will fit.

Navarre · #18 03-15-2012, 04:43 PM

I took the grips off and they do not have any writing inside or out except for "Pat Pending June 5, 1917" on the bottom of the outside of the grip. Thanks for the heads up for Grips 13. I will give him a try.

Navarre