38 Regulation Police revolver

[992B]

I recently bought my first ever 38 S&W caliber revolver. The serial number is 193X and all numbers match including the grips with the right grip having the serial pencilled on it. The grips do not have the 1917 number stamped on the butt area of the grips. It is a 4" blued model and the numbers on frame, cylinder and barrel all match. Gun is blued and so marked on the barrel.

May I presume the revolver is a first year production? Were the early guns not marked with 1917 on the grips? Grips have not been sanded or refinished. Thanks in advance of any info or advice you may have regarding this nice old revolver!

Gary

 

[Absalom]

May I presume the revolver is a first year production? Were the early guns not marked with 1917 on the grips?

Yes, you do have an early one indeed. The patent date is from June 1917, and earlier guns (production started in March) did not get the stamp on the stocks.

Check out this thread for more pictures and info on the pre-war batch of RP 38's which your gun belongs to.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/319301-early-38-regulation-police.html

 

[CptCurl]

I have # 1993, and displayed it here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/399191-s-w-38-regulation-police-1993-a.html

Mine shipped July 1917.

You should photograph yours and post it to this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/319301-early-38-regulation-police.html