I need some information on a nice S&W Regulation Police
revolver in .38 S&W. It's near mint, with a 4 inch barrel,
and the serial # is 33875. It's a 5 screw model.

The owner says the grips are original, and they are long
to the point where they cover up the serial number on the
frame butt. I wanted to know if this particular model has
serial numbers anywhere else besides the frame butt? This
one did not have serial numbers on the barrel flat, cylinder
face, and the rear of the star extractor. I didn't ask him to
remove the grips and look for a serial # on the right panel
as he said they were original.

Anyone with experience on this Regulation Police model
have any advice?

At that serial number range, the number should have been moved from the bottom of the grip frame to the front (as part of the manufacturing process) so they would be visible. The same number should be under the barrel (visible when cylinder is swung open) on the back face of the cylinder, and inside the extractor as well as inside the right grip panel. If you are looking at one that has no numbers at any of those places, then I would be suspicious of its provenance... even if those parts were factory replaced, they would be numbered to the gun and a star stamped next to them. More info is needed.

Froggie

I'm going to take a guess at 1926-1927 for a ship date. As Green Frog stated, the S/N should be on the front grip strap, as well as under the barrel and face of cylinder.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would not take the owner's word on originality. Check the stocks for a serial number. I would also be very suspicious about the lack of serial numbers at the locations you mention.

Never say never when it comes to S&W serial number ranges, but Neal & Jinks state that the 38 Regulation Police butt serial numbers were moved to the front of the butt-frame at #29,966.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

With the exception of the rarely seen round-butt .38 RPs, I have never seen one that did NOT have the serial number on the forestrap.

This situation is a little peculiar. The .38 RP had its own serial number sequence, so this could not be a case of a .32 HE being rebuilt as a .38 RP. Hard to explain the lack of barrel and cylinder serial numbers without acknowledging their later replacement, though. If they have been replaced, you might see an "S" or a diamond stamp on the underside of the barrel to denote the service department. If markings are completely lacking, any replacements may have been handled by a local gunsmith who simply ordered the parts from S&W.

I'd like to know if the grip frame is rebated or not. If it is rebated, does it look like the notch was cut or filed after the frame was originally finished? If it is not rebated, has the inner wood surface of the stocks been opened up to fit the slightly wider non-rebated round butt frame?

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David Wilson

Thanks for the replies guys. I talked to the owner of the
gun who runs a gun shop on the east coast originally, and
I will get to talk to his son on Tuesday about the gun. I
requested additional pictures. When I talk to the son, I
will ask him to verify the serial numbers in the usual places.
If the gun comes up short, I'll move on.

The serial # 29,966 denotes the change from sharp blade front and U notch rear to flat top front sight and sq notch rear. Serial numbering on the front grip strap was always used with the small extension sq butt stocks (and the target ext stocks w/2 screws).

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Jim
S&WCA #819

mojave30cal,
I can't tell you how many times I've been told there is no serial number at a location only to find out the seller didn't have his glasses on or wasn't using a flashlight! The numbers are SMALL.

The rebated grip frame looks like this:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the picture, Jim

Greg