Another pre-WWII blue Regulation Police w/ nickel ejector rod and Asian marking

[Teddydog]

The other post about a blue pre-WWII Regulation Police with a nickel plated ejector rod lead me to purchase this one when I saw it.

This serial number puts it somewhere around 1940, I think. .38 S&W caliber. The finish is somewhat mottled and has freckling scattered around. Overall, not unpleasant to look at, I think. The bore and chambers are in good condition.

It has a couple of issues that were not disclosed by the seller. One is the chunk missing from the toe of the left grip. They carfully photographed the gun to not show that and didn't mention it in the descrtiption. They also said it locked up tight, which I guess it does in DA. In single-action, though, all 5 positions just fail to carry all the way to bolt drop. Will drop them a line on Monday about that.

The seller photos also hinted at a number stamp and maybe lettering at the top rear of the grip frame. Here's what I found (2 different photos of the same--the second through a loupe):

It appears to be an Asian-language character of some sort, then the number 1866.

I would appreciate any comments or thoughts on the gun overall, and particularly the backstrap stamping.

Thank you!

Rob

 

[AlanDavid]

There must be an Asian language site where this could be translated, or at least the language identified?

Regards

AlanD

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The character appears to be Chinese. However, Google Translate in picture recognition mode does not see it. It does easily read the numbers. Perhaps if we had a sharper, better lighted picture or the OP could use the camera feature in Google Translate to interpret it.

 

[AJ]

Are you going to keep it? Hope there was a return policy if you aren't. Do the grips number to the piece? Period replacements can be found. The lock work can be repaired.

 

[murphydog]

My guess would be use by a Chinese law enforcement agency of some type. .38 S & W was the traditional chambering for these in this era, and one of the elements of the stamping (the square with the cross) appears to be the symbol for China, the "Middle Kingdom".

 

[Wiregrassguy]

A search has revealed that .38 Reg Police serial number 51170 shipped in June 1938 and was part of an "interesting shipment." That is the extent of the information I can find but my take on this is the gun was part of a unique purchase and it is entirely logical that serial number 51177 was also. I encourage Rob to keep this gun and get an historian's letter. The grip can be repaired but the back story could be lost.

 

[glowe]

A search has revealed that .38 Reg Police serial number 51170 shipped in June 1938 and was part of an "interesting shipment." That is the extent of the information I can find but my take on this is the gun was part of a unique purchase and it is entirely logical that serial number 51177 was also. I encourage Rob to keep this gun and get an historian's letter. The grip can be repaired but the back story could be lost.

The stocks are definitely appropriate for that revolver. Just to add to what Guy stated, another 38 RP with sn 52516 shipped in 1939. Silver medallion stocks ran from 1930 to 1940.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Here's my enhancement of the Chinese character.

 

[Teddydog]

I did try Google translate on my photographs and came up with nothing. The photos look better than the stamp on the gun! I might try filling it with chalk or paint for a better look. Translate at different times said "brigade", "state", "German".

The gun has an import stamp in the yolk cutout in the frame. Is is poorly done, maybe twice in different orientations. I think it is "IA Co".

The timing does suggest that the gun could have shipped to China during the Japanese invasion and the beginning of hostilities in the Pacific.

I have not yet been able to remove the grips. The "nut" side escutcheon spins in the grip so the screw does not loosen. I put a bit of oil on that hoping to unstick it.

I do plan to keep the gun. The marking is interesting to me. I'm hoping to get some price rebate based on the undisclosed problems, but who knows.

So this gun seems worth a historical letter. Hmmm...

Rob

 

[Absalom]

...

The gun has an import stamp in the yolk cutout in the frame. Is is poorly done, maybe twice in different orientations. I think it is "IA Co".

IA CO would likely stand for InterAmerican Company, Sacramento, California which also was known as InterAmerican Import Export Company.

InterAmerican imported surplus and new firearms and parts kits from lot of countries worldwide, including China, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong. So that makes sense.

 

[rincar]

I have a 38 Regulation Police that has a Oriental mark on the top of the grip behind the hammer. I have no idea what it means but there is no number with the Oriental Marking. I put it some where I would remember where I put it. Now I cant remember where I put it.

 

[AJ]

I have a 38 Regulation Police that has a Oriental mark on the top of the grip behind the hammer. I have no idea what it means but there is no number with the Oriental Marking. I put it some where I would remember where I put it. Now I cant remember where I put it.

Well, it will be like a new toy when you find it! I do stuff like that, found a couple of M-1 Carbines that I forgot I had once.....

 

[Teddydog]

I have a 38 Regulation Police that has a Oriental mark on the top of the grip behind the hammer. I have no idea what it means but there is no number with the Oriental Marking. I put it some where I would remember where I put it. Now I cant remember where I put it.

LOL. Been there for sure! When you find it, it would be interesting to see if it is the same or similar.

Rob

 

[Llew Taranau]

Could also be Japanese, as they use Chinese characters as well. Will see what I can dig up in the morning when I'm on the laptop.

 

[Llew Taranau]

Doesn't seem to make sense in this context. Maybe it was the Guangzhou (gwong-joe) police?

穗 in English - 穗 meaning in English - 穗 English meaning


I don't actually think that's quite the right character, but it was the closest we could find (the wife does Chinese, I do Japanese).

 

[Wiregrassguy]

After some research, I think it is Malay...or a country with Arabic-derived writing. Could be from Singapore.

 

[Teddydog]

Maylay. That's interesting.

Rob

 

[Haybinger]

So I also have one of these nickel/blued Regulation Police, just took it out and sure enough it has the same Asian character! Never even noticed until now. Serial is in the 46,0xx range and chambered in .38 S&W, the marking appears to be the same character followed by "2509". Seems a bit odd to be numbered farther in the sequence than one with a SN over 5000 units later....possibly acquired from various commercial orders then inventoried at a later date? Either way, here are a couple pictures:

 

[El_Phantasmo]

I've got nothing add other than this is a fascinating thread, and I'll be watching!

Please keep us updated as you learn more!

 

[El_Phantasmo]

And I agree, this one would definitely be worth paying for the letter.