Smith & Wesson .38 Regulation Police (Pre-Model 33) .38 S&W, 4 in, 5-Shot, Blued DA/SA Revolver — 1953–1956
This pre-model-number Smith & Wesson .38 Regulation Police (pre-Model 33) comes from the 1953–1956 era and features the improved small-frame four-screw layout with trigger-guard screw. It retains its factory blued finish, a 4-inch tapered round barrel, and the round-butt I-frame fitted with the factory Regulation Police front-strap grip adapter and square-profile stocks. Period-correct details such as the unshrouded ejector rod, fixed sights, color-casehardened hammer and trigger, and the serial stamped on the separate front-strap grip-adapter insert mark it as a classic example from this transitional time at S&W.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is light wear on the grips. The color-casehardened hammer and serrated trigger show some finish loss. Minor handling marks are present and consistent with the period of manufacture.
What’s Included
- Sidekick nylon soft holster with camo pattern
This revolver represents the pre-model-number period of S&W production, identified by the absence of a "MOD." marking in the yoke cut and the serial stamped on the separate front-strap grip-adapter insert. It uses the improved four-screw frame configuration with the trigger-guard screw on the small I-frame, and it presents a square-butt profile via the factory Regulation Police grip adapter and stocks.
Chambered in .38 S&W, it carries a five-shot fluted cylinder and a 4-inch tapered, round barrel. The sighting system is fixed and traditional for the model: a half-moon blade up front and a topstrap groove at the rear. The ejector rod is unshrouded, consistent with the era and configuration.
The frame and cylinder are carbon steel with a factory blued finish. Controls are classic S&W: an exposed, color-casehardened hammer with a checkered spur and a color-casehardened, serrated trigger. The checkered walnut service stocks feature the diamond around the screw and S&W medallions.
Operation is double-action/single-action, and the round-butt I-frame with Regulation Police stocks offers a compact but stable grip. The bore condition is excellent with well-defined rifling, aligning with the overall well-cared-for presentation of this revolver.
Produced between 1953 and 1956, this pre-Model 33 Regulation Police combines hallmark small-frame S&W features with period identifiers that appeal to enthusiasts of mid-century S&W revolvers.