? about unusual S&W antique revolver..

A

Al Thompson

Staff Alumnus
Had a nice range visit with some folks today that have a .38 S&W chambered S&W revolver. Not sure what the model is and have a couple of questions.

On the frame in the yoke area was a 19XX - date of manufacture or SN?

The grips were unusual as the were long enough to cover the base of the frame. Seemed to have another number just above the mainspring screw. Didn't look hard at it - is this the S/N?

Barrel was roughly 4 inches, ejector rod had a bell shaped end.

Frame seemed to be about the same size as a kit gun.

Gun was in 95% - very clean.

Any ideas as to model or worth?

TIA
 
Small frame = 5 shot?

That would be a .38 Regulation Police, given the model number 33 in 1957. With the enlarged ejector rod tip and wrap-under grips, this one is surely older.

The number on the butt is the serial number. The four digit number in the yoke is a fitting number used to keep matching parts together at the factory.

Book value about $250.
 
Number or shots? Good question Jim, I didn't notice.. :(

I think you've pegged it, I seem to recall "Regulation Police" or some such on the right side of the barrel.
 
If it had Regulation Police stamped on the side of the barrel then it truly WAS an unusual gun.

With one notable exception, S&W never put the names of its handguns on the barrels.
 
More info about unusual S & W Revolver

Al, thanks for the post thread. I did a little more checking and it seems that this is a model 33. The serial number is 23915 and the number on the yoke is 1926.
 
Additioanl info on unusual S & /w antique revolver

I think Jim Watson is correct.

This revolver has Smith & Wesson on the yoke side of the barrel as I think all S & W revolvers do. On the opposite side it has Regulation Police, 38 S. & W. CTG. On that same side on the body it has "Made in U.S.A." only, without the:
Marcas Registradas
Smith & Wesson
Springfield, Mass.
that you see on newer guns.
 
S & W Antique Revolver

A question for Jim Watson. In your post about this gun, you indicated the serial number is on the butt of the gun. Since the grip covers the butt, is that the same as the number just above the mainspring screw that Jim Thompson mentioned or do I need to remove the grip to crosscheck?

To confim this a 5 shot, 38 S & W caliber.
 
Well I obviously am not having a good day.

I've got a Regulation Police .32 from the exact same time frame, and yet it's not marked on the barrel.

Hard to say why S&W did some things they did at the time.
 
Prior to World War II, and maybe thereafter, I believe that S&W made a practice of stamping the serial number on the frontstrap on revolvers that had grips that covered the bottom of the butt. Examples might be the 22/32 Target Model and .32 and .38 Regulation Police. As has been pointed out, the number on the yoke and frame beside it were assembly numbers. However today this is where they stamp the serial number. There is not, nor has they're been any standard practice within the industry on where to put serial numbers.
 
Forgot to mention that the .38 Regulation Police (1st. Model) were made betwwen 1917 to 1940 and serial numbered from 1 through 54,474. I estimate your gun was made during the early to middle 1930's. If it's an "antique" I may be in trouble....
 
I may be off - the Oxford American Dictionary does not give an age for thee definition, mere staes "old".. "Sought by collectors" is another definition. Old Fluff, you got any collectors after you? :D
 
S & W Revolver

All, many thanks for the input, particularly you Al for the assist. To sum it up, it sounds like the gun in question is old, but not an antique and perhaps worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $250.00+. It is on a small frame, smaller than a J frame, perhaps a 22-32 to lighten it. A local gun shop thought it was a model 33 based on a review.

Since it is on the smaller frame does that change anyone's assessment? I guess the only way I will know more is to pay S & W to do the research by serial number.
 
The original .32 and .38 Regulation Police was based on S&W’s “I” frame. It evolved from that company’s first swing-out revolver that was introduced in 1896 along with the .32 S&W Long cartridge. In 1903 the design was updated to what you have, except it usually came with a small round-butt handle and black hard-rubber grips. In 1917 they added a larger walnut stocks and a choice between .32 S&W Long (6 shot) or .38 S&W (5 shot). Standard barrel length were 3 ¼” or 4.” Finish could be blue or nickel plate. It was intended for, and popular with uniformed officers that carried a concealed revolver under a coat – a common practice in those days.

The cylinder was to short to take the .38 Special cartridge so in 1950 they introduced the “J” frame, which was the same, but lengthened to take a longer cylinder and the .38 Special cartridge. The was first offered as the “Chief Special, a 5-shot, snubnosed .38 Special that eventually became the model 36. Today’s “J” frame has been beefed up slightly so that it can use the .357 Magnum cartridge. Be that as it may, this all started with the .32 Hand Ejector in 1903 and the Regulation Police in 1917.
 
My grandfather bought one of those for a gang war. :eek: He and his friends use to go to the "country" to practice (back then, the "country" was probably "Niles", now a district in Fremont, CA). Luckily, it was resolved without bullets. :) He passed away in bed and my aunt got the gun. She gave it to me in my college years. :D
 
Old Fluff,

Thanks for the background info. :) That was very helpful.

Did you agree with my overall summary? I am a novice on this and wondered if there is any real value in having S & W research the revolver by serial number, if the piece is really not worth a lot. Sounds like it would be a waste of $30.00.
 
Welcome Chuck.
Please stay and become part of the TFL family.

I do think that you will gain bout all the information available here without sending bucks to Smith.

I like the little I frames. They snuggle into small hidey holes for concealed carry. Of course I am spoiled, I like all the pre 82 Smiths as long as they aren't stainless.

Sam
 
Yes, I agree with most of what's been said. A factory letter won't tell you much more, except the exact date, and to what distributor or dealer it was shipped to. Sometimes this is nice to know if the gun came down through the family, or is an expensive collector's item. At this time the little "Regulation Police" isn't that, but it and the similar 32 Hand Ejector make neat guns to plink with and carry in the field for an occasional target. Few others are so easy to pack. The only drawback is that the sights are pretty fine for some eyes. This could be changed, but I wouldn't bother. I think you and your friends should enjoy it for what it is. From the point of quality workmanship you won't find a better revolver in its class.
 
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