Info needed on 32 Regulation Police I frame

[Tom52]

I purchased a 32 Regulation Police with a 3 1/4" pinned barrel, original box & brush, sn 529xxx. Looks to be excellent condition with very little wear. Appears to be the 4 screw, I am assuming it is the original I-frame

Would like to know the manufacture/ship date and if anyone has an idea of the estimated value and any other information.

Photos attached, let me know if you need more.

Thanks in advance
Tom

 

[JP@AK]

It is a prewar .32 RP. Serial numbers before the war went to about 536000, so it is relatively late in the run.

It actually has five screws; the one in the front of the trigger guard counts. And yes, it is an I frame.

A very nice looking prewar revolver, with the box and twisted wire cleaning rod. Congrats.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

.32 RP serial 523736 shipped in May 1936.
.32 RP serial 529868 shipped in July 1936.
.32 RP serial 530102 shipped in July 1937.

 

[Model19man]

As far as value, those 32 revolvers with fixed sights and in perfect condition are not highly sought after. You would be lucky to get $400 on a good day and it might sit there a long time.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hmmm. Not sure I completely agree with Royce (Model19man). The box and cleaning rod is worth a good bit and the .32 RP's tend to bring more than the .32 HE's. I'd jump all over that package at $400 and may injure my arm pulling my wallet out.

 

[max503]

As far as value, those 32 revolvers with fixed sights and in perfect condition are not highly sought after. You would be lucky to get $400 on a good day and it might sit there a long time.

 

[rct269]

VALUES------------My .32 RPT, #449510, shipped February 18, 1927 (to Argentina of all places), sold for $1850 during the liquidation of my collection during the 3+ years ending about a year or so ago---top condition gun, no box, no nothing.

I reckon the Standard Catalog will have some words of wisdom about the difference in value between fixed sight and target guns.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[larryofcc]

I purchased a 32 Regulation Police with a 3 1/4" pinned barrel, original box & brush, sn 529xxx. Looks to be excellent condition with very little wear. Appears to be the 4 screw, I am assuming it is the original I-frame

Would like to know the manufacture/ship date and if anyone has an idea of the estimated value and any other information.

Photos attached, let me know if you need more.

Thanks in advance
Tom

Mine, # 505426, was shipped 7-1929. No box, no cleaning rod.
It is minty. According to Model19man, I paid too much. Can't win them all. Big Larry

 

[jcelect]

$400 ????????????????

That box is a "display" box which was introduced in the late 20s! If the top hinge is intact that box is worth more than the $400 stated above! If the box is numbered to the gun, that package should sell in the 4 digits!
jcelect

 

[Muley Gil]

S&W .32 Long HE, 3 ¼" nickel, # 512621, shipped in April 1938.

The .32 HEs and RPs are in the same serial number range.

 

[daddio202]

Mine #525111 has an interesting history but no box and I paid $600 about 5 years ago for it and felt it reasonably priced.

 

[Model19man]

Gosh maybe you should put it on GB and start it at 99 cents with no reserve if you feel that way. I won't be a bidder.

 

[Truckman]

I like those little guns...I would happily pay that $400 that was mentioned for that package......Ben

 

[rct269]

That box is a "display" box which was introduced in the late 20s! If the top hinge is intact that box is worth more than the $400 stated above! If the box is numbered to the gun, that package should sell in the 4 digits!
jcelect

And if the (box) hinge isn't intact---or if there's ANYTHING about the box that displeases you, get in touch with Gary Lowe (glowe hereabouts). He's the BOX WIZARD!

He's done two for me---one for a .44 H.E. 2nd Target with weak corners, and a HUGE HORRIBLE stain on top. It came back with sound corners---and NO stain! The other was for a NM #3 (target) that was warped every place it had a place, and damage caused by the warpage. It came back dead square, with no damage showing. The best part about all this is there's no sign of previous ailments or evidence of repairs, and the box looks like it's supposed to look---a well cared for old box.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

You got a great little RP there OP.

My RP is a near serial number at 530xxx. It has a 4 1/4 inch barrel and is a sweet little shooter. It shoots to sights with my cast Lee 93gr 314TL SWC with 2.5gr of bullseye and makes pretty easy work of coke cans at 25yds.

Hopefully you reload for the 32 S&W Long. It's a fun little cartridge. Components go a long way as it's economical on powder and lead.

As to value, the I-frame crowd who love these little guns are pretty enthusiastic about them. Not everyone appreciates them but those who do would easily put yours with the box at $750 or higher.

 

[Green Frog]

I'll join the rest in congratulating you on a great find. Those grips are about as nice as I've seen, and the finish is just gorgeous if your pictures are accurate. As others have said, it will be a fun gun to shoot.
Froggie

 

[delcrossv]

Hmmm. Not sure I completely agree with Royce (Model19man). The box and cleaning rod is worth a good bit and the .32 RP's tend to bring more than the .32 HE's. I'd jump all over that package at $400 and may injure my arm pulling my wallet out.

Agreed. For $400, I'd take two.

 

[4K2022]

The Stocks on the Ops 32 are ozzzing that "pre war Walnut !!
And the "barrel e-rod
And "stamped in serial number
And a/the "box

Gimme

 

[Tom52]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies.

The hinge on the box is not intact and the box is showing some wear, but the sides are intact with the sn written in pencil on the inside.

I paid $550 + taxes & fees for the pistol which I thought was a good price. I had watched it sit in the display case at the store for almost 2 weeks and not sell but they had it in the new revolver display and not with all the other used pistols.

I was guessing it shipped in the early 40's but it looks like in shipped in the 1936-38 time frame.

I also have a 32 RP 635xxx that my father purchased in 1956 new and they are sitting next to each other in the safe. Photo attached.

Regards and thanks again for the help
Tom

 

[mtgianni]

As far as value, those 32 revolvers with fixed sights and in perfect condition are not highly sought after. You would be lucky to get $400 on a good day and it might sit there a long time.

I believe this was true as late as 10 years ago. It is not uncommon to see GB auctions starting at $700 for them and they are selling. This is without the box, cleaning tools, SAT, and often plastic or rubber grips.

 

[oldcop71]

I picked up a RP at a pawn shop that did not know what they had for $350 about 3 years ago. According to the scsw (which was about 5 years out of date) it is valued at $1000 in its like-new condition. No box. I saw the same model in its original box at Larry's West soon after I bought mine, listed for $1000. It sold within 2 weeks. Shops are beginning to realize there is a niche market for these I frame .32s. The last one I saw in a pawn shop was marked at $1000...

 

[jcelect]

Reg Pol Targets

Here are a couple of 32 RP Targets that aren't seen too often!

These are from a run of 196 guns made in 1957 from some prewar parts.
jcelect

 

[Hondo44]

That's a beautiful pair!

I always find the variations of these 196 made in 1957 to be interesting.

One of yours has post war grips with curved nickel plated medallions and round cornered borders on the checkering field.

While the other has pre war style grips with what appears to be flat silver medallions (or could be post war nickel, making them hybrid grips), and sharp cornered borders around the checkering. Both of which are of course correct for that model.

 

[raljr1]

Here is one I paid $450 for 8 years ago. It would take several times that to buy it from me today.