Saw this one at a local shop today. 38 S&W caliber, 4" barrel Square butt. Serial number on the bottom of the butt. Looks to be a 4 screw. I believe it to be the improved I frame with a coil spring since I don't see a strain screw. My original thought was a Regulation Police, but it isn't marked as such, and the front sight is like the later model 33. The serial number 78471 puts it in the middle of RP production, post war. So after 1953, but before 1956 for the manufacturing range. I know the book says that the factory stopped marking them as RPS when stock of parts ran out. Could this frame have sat unfinished until the new barrel profile was introduced and finished then, or is it just a transitional piece to the new barrel. The gun is not pristine, although very nice, and I did not have the opportunity to remove the grips to see if it was possibly reworked.
I may be interested in purchasing it, so an opinion on value would be appreciated as well.
I may be interested in purchasing it, so an opinion on value would be appreciated as well.
