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  • Auction Catalog #72
  • Lot #236
Lot #235
Lot #237

Lot 236: Smith & Wesson .32 Regulation Police (Post-War) Pre-Model 31

Smith & Wesson .32 Regulation Police (Post-War) Pre-Model 31 Double Action Revolver with Box

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 1, 2017

Lot 236: Smith & Wesson .32 Regulation Police (Post-War) Pre-Model 31

Smith & Wesson .32 Regulation Police (Post-War) Pre-Model 31 Double Action Revolver with Box

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 1, 2017

Estimated Price: $1,200 - $1,800
Price Realized:
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Smith & Wesson .32 Regulation Police (Post-War) Pre-Model 31 Double Action Revolver with Box

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: Regulation Police
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 32 S&W Long
Barrel: 4 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 2295
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 108
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Description:

Manufactured from 1946-1960. Standard S&W markings, 4-screw frame and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder and barrel. The factory box is numbered to the gun. This revolver was once part of the Ray Shapero collection. Ray Shapero of Detroit, Michigan, had family business ties to Cunningham Drug, America’s first large drugstore chain that began in 1889 and closed in 1991. Shapero was also an avid S&W collector, collecting old and new models in the 1950s. He formed personal relationships with S&W representatives, often ordering directly through the S&W factory. Accompanying period invoices and correspondence (photocopies) clearly document Shapero’s passion for S&W firearms and his relationship with the company. In these documents you will find Shapero’s guns listed by serial number, which includes this revolver. Later Robert Petersen collection records indicate that Robert "Bob" Petersen purchased the entire Ray Shapero collection in the 1960s. Robert Petersen of Los Angeles, California, started "Hot Rod," a magazine for car enthusiasts, and built Petersen Publishing. When he sold his publishing empire in 1996, Petersen Publishing printed 39 monthly periodicals which included such notables as "Hot Rod," "Guns & Ammo," "Sports Afield," and "Motor Trend." His lifelong collection of 425 firearms was donated to the National Firearms Museum after his death. This impressive and broad collection of rare and historic arms fills the permanent 2,000 square foot Petersen Gallery that was opened to the public in the fall of 2010 at the NRA Museum. Although the Petersen Gallery showcases a diverse collection, there is one common theme: highest quality. In fact, the Petersen Gallery is considered to be one of the finest sporting arms collections in the world. Very few guns from Petersen's collection have made it to private hands. Provenance: Ray Shapero, Robert Petersen and Terry Popkin collections.

Rating Definition:

Excellent. The revolver retains 99% plus original blue finish showing a nearly nonexistent cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine showing some very scattered minor wear and a Robert Petersen collection label on the bottom.



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