I frame with 2 different serial #'s ???

[Gulf Coast Snapperhead]

I was in a local shop today, and they had a I frame 32 long labeled as a model 1903.
But looking at it closer, I think it is a Pre model 30. However, the serial # Behind the yoke/crane is 501xx , and on the frame by the strain screw, is the ser # 5862xx. Please forgive a noobie if this is common knowledge, but why would there be different serial numbers on the same frame. The gun is about 85% so I don't think it has been refinished.
It has wood grips that look original.

This is great place to learn, so any thoughts would be helpful.


Thanks

 

[deadin]

The number in the yoke/crane cut-out is not a serial number but is an assembly number and, for all intents and purposes, is meaningless.
The serial number is the one on the front grip strap near the strain screw.
The serial is found in several other places also, although I'm not that familiar with that particular model. Check the bottom of the barrel (under the ejector rod), back of the cylinder and the back of the crane. (You will have to look through one of the charge holes in the cylinder to see this one, if it's there)
Also sometimes the right grip panel will be either stamped, scratched or penciled with the serial on the inside.

 

[Muley Gil]

"...on the frame by the strain screw, is the ser # 5862xx."

This sounds like a Regulation Police revolver. Does it have grips like these?

Or is it a round butt or a square butt?

Is the serial number on the front strap, above the strain screw, or on the butt itself?

 

[Gulf Coast Snapperhead]

the serial # is on the front strap near the strain screw. The grips don't exactly look like that, and I think it is a square butt.

 

[MKT]

With the serial number on the front strap I'm reasonably certain it is a Regulation Police (RP). They had a rebated back strap, if you remove the grip panels you'll see the "notch" about halfway down the back strap. The .32 RP usually does not have the Regulation Police rollmark on the barrel while the .38 S&W RP does. Also, the .32 RP serial numbers run consecutively with the .32 Hand Ejector 3rd Model. Pictured below is an example of both, the blued is a .38 S&W RP and the nickel is a .32 RP.

The rebated grips give the round butt an almost square but look and feel.

 

[Gulf Coast Snapperhead]

Ok, it looks just like the blued one in the picture but it has the postwar extractor rod.


Thanks for all the help.

 

[MKT]

The grip on my Regulation Police models are the same type as Muley Gil showed, with the exception his are medallioned grips. Those grips are found only on Regulation Police models. With the serial number you posted I would call it a late 40' to early 50's .32 regulation Police, Pre-31.