Post war Regulation Police Target 4"

[Shotguncoach]

Last year I picked up a 6" Regulation Police Target made in 1927 that was documented here.

In the latest Amoskeag auction I had the opportunity to bid on the 6" gun's little brother....and today I picked it up.

It didn't come with a letter, but the serial number is correct for the 196 post war 4" guns. I'll get an LOA request out to Mike and Don tomorrow.

My wife picked it up and declared that it was absolutely perfect in size and that she wanted one for herself. When I told her how much I paid for it, she put it right back down and told me to "buy an ugly one and do what you do". I guess I have my orders now.....

 

[Shotguncoach]

The stocks are in good shape and numbered to the gun.

It's fascinating to compare the pre-war and post-war guns....at first glance they are the same, but then the ejector rod end jumps out at you, then you notice the 4 line "Made in USA" vs the single line, then the patent date on the pre-war stocks that isn't on the post-war gun, then the serrated trigger on the post-war gun vs the smooth trigger on the pre-war example. I'm sure I'll find more little things as time goes by.

Tomorrow I'll crack them both open so we can examine the insides, and then next weekend we'll make a range trip and see how they compare.

 

[Bekeart]

Good Order

My wife picked it up and declared that it was absolutely perfect in size and that she wanted one for herself. When I told her how much I paid for it, she put it right back down and told me to "buy an ugly one and do what you do". I guess I have my orders now.....

You have your orders from an understanding wife.

Bekeart

 

[Truckman]

Very nice, Len!...I have a number of both pre and post war R-P's, but the slippery little target models keep evading my capture......Ben

 

[raljr1]

I have 3 RP targets, all long barrels. Mine are all refinished. Seems that these got lots of use by the original owners. Finding an original finish example it difficult. The 4" models are too pricey for me so far.

 

[Gun Relics]

That was quite a find and I can see why your wife wanted it.

In the short time I've been collecting, I have a developing opinion that the Regulation Police is a slightly overlooked collectible. These delicate little guns are indeed fascinating and I find them somewhat unique. My prize one is a .32 long, unfired in it's original box from 1925.

I still don't have a post war version but I'm on the prowl. Would love to find an overlooked target model.

 

[jcelect]

The stocks are in good shape and numbered to the gun.

It's fascinating to compare the pre-war and post-war guns....at first glance they are the same, but then the ejector rod end jumps out at you, then you notice the 4 line "Made in USA" vs the single line, then the patent date on the pre-war stocks that isn't on the post-war gun, then the serrated trigger on the post-war gun vs the smooth trigger on the pre-war example. I'm sure I'll find more little things as time goes by.

Tomorrow I'll crack them both open so we can examine the insides, and then next weekend we'll make a range trip and see how they compare.

Be careful when comparing the group of 196 post war guns with any other RP guns! You will see that S&W was using up left over parts found someplace in storage. I have two of these guns now and had a third. The two guns pictured have different grip medallions and checkering patterns. They were shipped in different boxes. The third gun I had was shipped in a Red Box and had the large pre war medallions.
jcelect

 

[22hipower]

That's a pair we don't see often, very nice. And regardless of what your wife thinks of the price, you got a very good deal. Here's my pair.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qzmzZY https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[murphydog]

Cool guns!

Your wife might have to “settle” for a 4” model 631. A little more common than a(nother) 4” RP Target.

 

[Shotguncoach]

SnidelyWhiplash and I made a range trip this afternoon so that we could both try out some new toys. We had a fantastic, lazy Sunday afternoon just shootin' and talkin'. A great way to spend the afternoon.

The little 4" Regulation Police Target is a sweetheart to shoot. I popped off the first shot at roughly 10 yards and had to walk to the target to see where the hole was. When he saw it, Snidely said (in a snidely way, I might add ) that I should just pack up and go home after that shot. The next 3 were good and then I threw 2 shots high when I forgot where to put my thumb.

Those stocks are SMALL!! If this was going to be a regular shooter I would have to put on something larger.

The 6" RP Target came out for a little fun also. I screwed up and held the gold bead on the X instead of the top of the front post, so everything went high.

I guess that just means I need to shoot it more.

 

[Truckman]

The little 4" Regulation Police Target is a sweetheart

I gotta get me one of them...Or 2 or 3......Ben

 

[H Richard]

Beautiful gun and one I have "Lusted" for for a long time. I've had the Bekeart style .22 Targets, and the .32 Reg Police, but the 4" Reg Police Target is out of my price range.