I have a 38 S&W marked Regulation Police # 4270, and a 32 S&W that looks exactly the same # 287580. The 32 is not marked Regulation Police. Is the 32 still considered a Regulation Police? I think the 38 was made 1917, the 32 probably much later.
Any refinish tends to lower the value. IIRC, at one time, the Standard Catalog of S&W stated a factory refinished gun's condition should not be valued over Very Good. I haven't looked lately to see if that guidance is in the 5th Edition. It's subjective and I think the rarer the gun, the less a factory refinish affects value. That being said, the RP's aren't particularly rare and are not a high $$ gun to begin with.How does a S&W factory refinish affect the value of these?
Yes, the 38 Regulation Police revolvers were made in a separate serial number range than the 32 versions.I take it the 38 and 32 had their own serial number ranges.
I have been shooting mine. Fun guns, very small, but pleasant to shoot with the extended grip and 4 1/4" barrel. They have the cuteness factor.
When did they stop putting the recessed gold medallion in the grip?
I personally won’t devalue a factory refinished gun. However beware. Just because the gun is stamped with factory refinish codes and the date, verify by examining it that it hasn’t been non-factory refinished after it was factory refinished.How does a S&W factory refinish affect the value of these?