.38 Regulation Police revolver Grips

[cd0215!]

Hello All,

New to the forum looking for assistance or direction. I have inherited my grand-uncle’s 1953 .38 Regulation Police revolver. The grips were badly damaged in a fire and I’m looking to replace them in order to pass it down in tact. I’ve been told by the SWHF that the grips on this revolver were specific to this model and no other grips are interchangeable. I and J frame grips won’t fit. Any info on replacement grips or know of any for sale would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Green Frog]

Welcome to the S&W Forum. Those grips show up on eBay and Gun Broker from time to time. I saw a fairly nice preWar pair recently, but they were a little speedy. Was the gun itself in that fire, or just the grips? if it got hot enough even to char the grips, the steel parts, especially the springs, were probably damaged as well. If you just want to put some sort of grips on it, many of the J frame aftermarket grips will work by enclosing the entire grip frame. I've used some from Sile, Mustang, and others. Could you post a picture of the gun, especially the grip fame?

Froggie

 

[cd0215!]

Thanks for the response. The frame appears to be okay. I’m not planning on making this a shooter until I know everything is okay. Here are pics of the frame. Thoughts?

 

[Retired W4]

Your 38 RP looks pretty good concidering what it went through. The grips for that rebated back strap can be difficult to find. Best of luck getting his gun back in original condition.

 

[cd0215!]

Thanks. Hoping someone will have a parts gun for sale that they’d part with. I dont think this frame was damaged. Just the checkering on the grips got charred. Seems to function fine. Dont see any signs of distress that may be noticeable.

 

[VASCAR2]

If you can’t find S&W grips you might check these grips out. I have no first hand experience with these grips but have seen them mentioned before on other forums.



Tombstone Gun Grips: S&W .32 Reg.Police Sq.Butt (152a)

 

[cd0215!]

Thanks. I will take a look.

 

[Hondo44]

I think your revolver is just fine from the photos. If it got anywhere hot enough to harm it, you'd see damage to the blue finish.

The correct grips are not that hard to find. They were made from 1917 to 1953. The correct vintage for your gun made from about 1950 to 1953 and should have the curved nickel plated medallions and the rounded corners on the checkering border; like the charred pair that you have. Grips for the .32 and .38 Regulation Police models are the same and interchange.

Post a want ad in the classified section of this forum. Check on-line auctions like Gunbroker, ebay, etc.

Good hunting!

 

[cd0215!]

Thank you all for the guidance and direction.

Jim, I’ve heard the exact same from someone at the Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation. I haven’t come across any grips but will continue the hunt on line. Good stuff! Thanks again erbody.

 

[Retired W4]

I have a set from a 22/32 HFT with the rebated back strap. I believe mine are pre-war with the recessed gold medallions and sharp corners, so not period correct. Jim (Hondo44) might be able to confirm my above statement.

 

[goatsnguns]

Here is a set of Regulation Police grips.

 

[cd0215!]

Another question since I’m new tonthis sight. Does it have a separate “classified” section I can post “wanted or seeking”?

 

[cd0215!]

Thanks Gary. They look great amd I think they’re exactly what I need. Especially without all the charcoal!! I’ll pm to discuss further.

 

[Muley Gil]

https://smith-wessonforum.com/wanted-buy/