32 & 38 Regulation Police

[Jerry in SC]

I just found this .32 Regulation Police. Finish is rough, but it looks correct, including the stocks. It's in perfect mechanical condition. I'm guessing it's a transitional post war based on the SN 586664. My first I frame…I see so few I had to buy it.

 

[Michaelp57]

They are fun shooters. At $800 I feel like i overpaid for mine, but I have no regrets about it. I got mine at cabelas earlier this year and it came with two boxes of ammo and a note with the previous owner's name and phone number. I still haven't called, but ive been thinking about it, even if just to learn more about this things life before I got it.

 

[raljr1]

I like these Regulation Police guns. I have several. Here is my nicest 32 and a 38 that is very nice as well.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I frames are the jewels of S&W revolvers.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I like these Regulation Police guns. I have several. Here is my nicest 32 and a 38 that is very nice as well.View attachment 783787View attachment 783788View attachment 783793View attachment 783794

Nice is an understatement….

 

[Hondo44]

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.

Your 32 RP serial number was continued in the new serial range that started over at #1 with the introduction of the 1903 model Hand Ejector. So both of your RPs were made about the same time.

You'll notice that the 38 RP has a 4" barrel while the 32 RP is 4 1/4" because the 32 was being made since 1896 as the 32 Hand Ejector with 4 1/4", 3 1/4" and a 6" (rare) barrel. The barrel lengths on the 32 and 38 models were standardized at 3" and 4" length in 1952/53. A 2" barrel had also been added to both before that time.

 

[SouthNarc]

Your 32 RP serial number was continued in the new serial range that started over at #1 with the introduction of the 1903 model Hand Ejector. So both of your RPs were made about the same time.

You'll notice that the 38 RP has a 4" barrel while the 32 RP is 4 1/4" because the 32 was being made since 1896 as the 32 Hand Ejector with 4 1/4", 3 1/4" and a 6" (rare) barrel. The barrel lengths on the 32 and 38 models were standardized at 3" and 4" length in 1952/53. A 2" barrel had also been added to both before that time.

Jim how rare are the 6" guns?

 

[raljr1]

Jim how rare are the 6" guns?

They pop up from time to time. Finding one in good original condition is difficult. I have 3 or them, all refinished. Oddly enough, the nickel one was blued originally and the blued one was nickel according to the documents I got from the historical society (2nd and 4th picture). I recently picked up a 6" 32HE Target that predates my RPs.. it went back at some point to have the frame rebated (1st picture)

 

[Green Frog]

Speaking of 6" I frame guns, has anyone seen a 6" RP in 38 S&W caliber? Years ago a NOS barrel for one showed up at a well known parts dealer, and when told about it a serious collector member here scarfed it up as an extreme rarity. That's the only reference I've seen to a 2" barrel in 38 S&W. Anybody else???

 

[Hondo44]

The 2" 38 S&W was introduced in 1935 with a round butt and is named the Terrier. They became more popular after the war. The model of 1953 Terrier can also be found with the new style RP square butt.

The 2" round butt 32 Hand Ejector came out in 1948-49 . Later it could also be found with the RP square butt grip.

 

[jcelect]

Here is a pair not often seen today!

These are from a run of 196 guns made in 1957 from some prewar parts found.
Jcelect SWCA#LM723