38 S&W Regulation Police question

[hit or miss]

A friend showed me his grandfather's gun. It is a Regulation Police in 38 S&W, 4" barrel, original square butt grips and 4 digit serial # starting with 5.

One thing I have run across is the fact that all references to this model say it is a 5 shooter and his is a 6 shooter.

What gives? I didn't check the back of the cylinder for a serial # but I can have him look tomorrow if needed.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Scott

 

[dwf6666]

Pictures would help to identify this gun.
The Regulation Police in 38 S&W was built on the I Frame. The ones chambered in 38 S&W were roll marked with the words "Regulation Police" on the barrel. The grip frame was rebated or stepped at the back and the grips were fit to this step in the frame.
Remove the grips to identify this feature. Since this gun was built on the I Frame, it is physically impossible to fit 6 chambers into the cylinder. They did chamber this gun for 32 S&W and it was a 6 shooter.

Here's a couple pictures in both chamberings




Hope this helps.

 

[hit or miss]

Thanks for the reply!

I guess I must have been a little brain dead last night, I checked my notes and it is a 5 shot.

The grips do have a S&W medallion inlet into them on one side. Your picture is spot on.

It is a really slick little gun that we couldn't find any info on in the gun value catalog he has. Not that he has any intention of selling it.

I'm assuming with the 4 digit serial it must be late first year or possible early second year production.

Any guesses? I already suggested he get a factory letter to go with it since it is a family heirloom.

 

[dwf6666]

The Regulation Police was introduced in 1917. With the SN you described, I would guess 1917 or 1918. It should have gold medallions in the grips. The one I have pictured was shipped in 1924 with a 5 digit serial number.

 

[Claude Clay]

if it was a 6 shooter in 38 S&W, that would be a colt product.

 

[Kleanbore]

if it was a 6 shooter in 38 S&W, that would be a colt product.

...unless it was a Military and Police revolver made for the British. They called it a .380, but it was the same as a .38 S&W.