Regulation Police or not?

[Mbrgr1]

Still waiting on my S&W bible, so I will ask......


This is serial number 489*** with a 3.25" barrel marked "32 Long Ctg" like my others.


The difference is the square butt and rebated? frame.


Just wondering if this is still a regulation police or a hand ejector?



Serial numbers all match, it had later silver medallion grips, I had a set of what I believe are the correct grips that I am trying to get fitted.


Thanks for any info.

 

[delcrossv]

Sure is. .32 RP's were not marked "Regulation Police". But if it has the rebated backstrap, it's a RP.

That's a pretty one.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Sure is. .32 RP's were not marked "Regulation Police". But if it has the rebated backstrap, it's a RP.

That's a pretty one.

Thank you, a little rough but tight and clean inside, this would have been a good size carry wise, and the bigger grips easier to handle.


Something about the 32's that keep me coming back for more..

 

[Wiregrassguy]

^What Fran said. That RP is purty! The silver medallion grips are probably correct for that era gun. It was shipped after 1927 based on the large extractor rod knob. IIRC, S&W began using medallions again in the last couple of years in the 1920 decade and definitely switched by 1930. Are the silver medallions numbered to the gun? Can you post a picture of them?

 

[Mbrgr1]

The grips are serial number 524512, that's why I assumed later.


If they are the correct style, I'd like to leave them on.


Thanks.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

As an example, .32 RP serial 469970 was shipped in March 1929. And, I believe Fran has one just over 501K that shipped in October 1929. As has been noted here many times, S&W did not ship in serial number order.


Fran, does your RP have silver medallions on it?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The grips are serial number 524512, that's why I assumed later.


If they are the correct style, I'd like to leave them on.


Thanks.

IMO, I'd put them back on the gun. Unless you can find the originals, either set is wrong. The medallions are prettier on that gun than the plains, IMHO.

 

[Mbrgr1]

IMO, I'd put them back on the gun. Unless you can find the originals, either set is wrong. The medallions are prettier on that gun than the plains, IMHO.

Done!...................

 

[PuertoRican]

Its an RP. Here's its older brother.

 

[Absalom]

As far as I can tell from the data, all .32 RPs below the 500-range were made by 1929, so the non-medallion stocks you put on would be correct. They generally got the stocks in use when they were assembled, not when they shipped.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Now you're just playin with me.


Seriously, thanks, the non medallion grips are not serialized and I like the looks as well, so back on they go!


M

 

[Absalom]

To make it even more ambiguous

The others who are suggesting that the medallions could be correct aren't wrong either. The SCSW does indeed detail the several change orders pertaining to the reintroduction of medallions which occurred over some months from February to April 1929. But as for implementation, from what I could find, as high as the 504-range guns still shipped with the non-medallion stocks.

 

[Mbrgr1]

OK, left grip medallion, right grip not!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Anybody want to arm wrestle over this?

Guy

 

[Hondo44]

Very nice RP!

If you really want to know which grips it shipped with, for $100, a S&W authentication letter will tell you.

Because of the depression, that gun cold have languished in inventory for up to 10 years or more and not shipped until as late as 1941.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Very nice RP!

If you really want to know which grips it shipped with, for $100, a S&W authentication letter will tell you.

So now you want me to "re-fund" the police??



Just kidding, may be worth a letter at some point. Thanks

 

[delcrossv]

As an example, .32 RP serial 469970 was shipped in March 1929. And, I believe Fran has one just over 501K that shipped in October 1929. As has been noted here many times, S&W did not ship in serial number order.


Fran, does your RP have silver medallions on it?

Nope, no medallions. 501705 shipped 10/29
Also has the LERK like the OP's

 

[Hondo44]

Very clever!

And if you only paid $100 for it, that's a great deal!

 

[Jimmyjones]

Here's mine, with a factory installed 2" barrel

 

[Green Frog]

If you paid $100 back in 2005, you got a good deal way back then. That model in that condition is bringing at least 2-4 times that all day, every day around here. I'm surprised my Brother-at-Arms Hondo44 didn't suggest you take the right grip and hold it at an angle under strong light... this will generally make the (usually) dim numbers on the back near the top show up more readily. He usually suggests this first thing, so I'm pleased to put my $.02 in with that tidbit.

My first RP was also a nickel 32, but it had the same amount of nickel on a 6" barrel - in other words there wasn't quite enough to go around and there were some bare spots! For many years that old beater served as my go-to gun when I wanted to shoot 32 S&W Long, and it never failed me. I didn't even know what an I frame was until Roy explained it to me at a NRA Show one year, when he also told me it was too old for S&W to provide parts for, so they wouldn't refinish it.

If you aren't already shooting a 32 revolver, you owe it to yourself to make the effort to find some ammo for it and take it for an outing. I shoot or have shot a variety of S&Ws, but that RP frame was designed for the 32 S&W L and as such qualifies as a "Goldilocks Gun." It's just right!

Froggie