Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .32 Regulation Police, Pre-War
Serial Number: 508787
Year of Manufacture: Ca. late 1930s-1942.
Caliber: .32 S&W Long
Action Type: Single & Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4 1/4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade forged to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with smooth diamonds around the grip screw escutcheons. The right grip is marked with the serial number in pencil on the interior, the left grip has a patent date stamped on the bottom face. The grips have only a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match on frame, cylinder, barrel, crane and ejector.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few scattered spots of very minor erosion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There is a little finish wear on the topstrap. There are a few scattered minor nicks and thin scratches. The action shows minor operational wear with a thin, incomplete turn-line on the cylinder. The screwheads are generally sharp, the grip screw is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a hinge-lid maroon cardboard S&W box with model-matching label and the serial number hand-written on the bottom (there is additional writing on the bottom).
Our Assessment: The .32 Regulation Police model was introduced in 1917, and serial numbered in the same series as the .32 Hand Ejector/Model of 1903. Pre-war Regulation Police numbers started around 331320 and ended around 536684 in 1942. Regulation Police revolvers are numbered on the forestrap, where .32 Hand Ejectors are numbered on the bottom of the butt. The model is a small-framed .32 that is, for all intents and purposes, a scaled-down M&P .38 with a different style grip frame. The Regulation Police model is distinguished by its square butt, which is larger and longer than the standard round butt configuration seen on other models built on the company's small I-frame. The steel frame of the Regulation Police models was given a stepped configuration on the backstrap so that the wooden stocks could mate with the frame without having to taper to a fragile thin wedge of wood. The grip design was novel, and the company patented it. The bottom of the left stock panel often has the impression PAT'D JUNE 5, 1917 like this one does. These models were offered from 1917-1942 in 3 1/4, 4 1/4, or 6 inch barrel lengths with traditional blued or nickel finishes, and could be had with either service or target sights. They would later be redesigned and the stepped grip frame which makes them so unique was eliminated.
This one is a 4 1/4" service sight model that looks outstanding. In addition to the high condition of the revolver itself, its original box is included. It will make a great addition to a collection lacking a Regulation Police. Please see our photos and good luck!
