I bought this gun at a police auction back in the 1980s.
A friend has had it in his safe all this time & is cleaning out the safe & gave it back.
He gave me 25 rounds of ammo he had with it as well.
It's an old unique piece for a collector, but it is not pristine by any means.
Action is strong with very good lock-up, though.
There are 4 numbers but 2 are the same:
- 37096 x2 ( on the back of the cylinder & behind trigger guard on the front of the metal frame of the grip)
- 8973 x2 (on the yoke & crane)
Markings on gun:
- Left side of barrel = SMITH & WESSON
- Right side of barrel = CTG REGULATION POLICE 38 S&W
- Top of barrel = SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A
- Top of barrel = PATENTED Feb.8.08 Sept.14 09 Dec.29.14
- Left side between above trigger guard & top of grip = SW Trademark Logo
Facts gleaned online:
- If the patent date is on the butt of the gun it is pre-war.
- The factory change order introducing that stamping the "Made In USA" was in 1922, therefore since this gun has that it should proceed 1922.
- .38 Regulation Police (pre-war) was an I-frame revolver made from 1917 to about 1940.
- The serial number range was from 1 to 54474
- .38 Smith & Wesson was a shorter and slightly larger in diameter case than the .38 Special.
- It was a predecessor round to the .38 Special.
- The .38 S&W is a low powered cartridge compared to the .38 Special.
- The .38 S&W used a lead bullet averaging 145 grains, was rimmed, had about 745 fps muzzle velocity,
Descriptors for this gun:
- Vintage small frame
- double/single action revolver
- chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson
- Features a blued finish,
- 4" barrel,
- forged round blade front sight,
- square notched rear sight,
- fluted five-shot cylinder,
- non-shrouded ejector rod,
- smooth .240" trigger,
- .240" hammer with knurled spur,
- five screw round butt
- "I" frame
- two-piece diamond checkered walnut grips
If you have any knowledge of the exact year of manufacture that would be cool.
Also, the range of value of the gun in this condition.
Thanks!
A friend has had it in his safe all this time & is cleaning out the safe & gave it back.
He gave me 25 rounds of ammo he had with it as well.
It's an old unique piece for a collector, but it is not pristine by any means.
Action is strong with very good lock-up, though.
There are 4 numbers but 2 are the same:
- 37096 x2 ( on the back of the cylinder & behind trigger guard on the front of the metal frame of the grip)
- 8973 x2 (on the yoke & crane)
Markings on gun:
- Left side of barrel = SMITH & WESSON
- Right side of barrel = CTG REGULATION POLICE 38 S&W
- Top of barrel = SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A
- Top of barrel = PATENTED Feb.8.08 Sept.14 09 Dec.29.14
- Left side between above trigger guard & top of grip = SW Trademark Logo
Facts gleaned online:
- If the patent date is on the butt of the gun it is pre-war.
- The factory change order introducing that stamping the "Made In USA" was in 1922, therefore since this gun has that it should proceed 1922.
- .38 Regulation Police (pre-war) was an I-frame revolver made from 1917 to about 1940.
- The serial number range was from 1 to 54474
- .38 Smith & Wesson was a shorter and slightly larger in diameter case than the .38 Special.
- It was a predecessor round to the .38 Special.
- The .38 S&W is a low powered cartridge compared to the .38 Special.
- The .38 S&W used a lead bullet averaging 145 grains, was rimmed, had about 745 fps muzzle velocity,
Descriptors for this gun:
- Vintage small frame
- double/single action revolver
- chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson
- Features a blued finish,
- 4" barrel,
- forged round blade front sight,
- square notched rear sight,
- fluted five-shot cylinder,
- non-shrouded ejector rod,
- smooth .240" trigger,
- .240" hammer with knurled spur,
- five screw round butt
- "I" frame
- two-piece diamond checkered walnut grips
If you have any knowledge of the exact year of manufacture that would be cool.
Also, the range of value of the gun in this condition.
Thanks!
Attachments
Last edited:
