Howdy
Here is another photo for comparison of frame sizes. At the top is a J Frame, 38 Special, Flat Latch Model 36 Chiefs Special. In the middle is a Pre- Model 31, 32 Regulation Police (Postwar), built on the Improved I Frame. At the bottom is a Prewar 32 Regulation Police. Notice the trigger guard shape on the revolver in the middle. This is the Improved I frame, which had the same trigguard shape as a J frame, but still retained the shorter cylinder of an I frame. The one in the middle is actually very interesting. I have not dated it yet. It does have MOD 31 stamped on the frame under the yoke, so I have to assume it is a 'post' 1957 revolver. I got the original box with this revolver, and it is labeled 32 Regulation Police, Blued, 3 Inch, with the Serial Number hand written on the label.The label has been applied to the box, rather than being printed on the box. I suspect S&W used an old box, since the information printed inside on the lid is dated April 15, 1955. S&W never threw anything away, they used old boxes all the time and simply applied a new label. I really should get this one dated.
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Great pictures and overview. Thanks for taking the time to do that. Just looked at my copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson and the pictures show that is a revolver that they began making in 1957. They just renamed it from Regulation Police to Model 31. Nice collection.
This is why the I frames were never chambered for 38 Special. The cylinder in the revolver at the top is 1.250 long, the cylinder in the revolver at the bottom is 1.252 long. Clearly a standard 38 Special police load would never fit in either one.
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