Spoke to the Retired WSP Armorer today, first chance since the last WAC Puyullup gunshow here in Western Washington State.

As to my questions to him on WSP Revolver markings, his answer was each model series varied but as a rule of thumb the revolvers where ordered from Smith with the Washington State Patrol engraved on the back strap by Smith on all the 38/44's, and 20's (note the engraved WSP with the larger first letters where correct per the pictures above) the tell tail was that the guns where blued by Smith after the engravings were cut and the thus the grooves in the cuts where blued.

But the WSP had their own engraving equipment and could engrave the guns themselves as needed, the tell tail, the grooves of the engravings would be unblued and silver because the engraving happened after the guns where blued by Smith.

As to removing the WSP engravings when a revolver was removed from service, that predated his time with the WSP, but he did understand that was standard, when he was there there was no requirement to remove the WSP markings on the 28-2 series WSP revolvers or later issue guns.

Will be seeing him again tomorrow, can ask him any other questions then if you have them.

Did run across a very nice S&W WSP 44 special 1946 Trans revolver at the show today, had the prewar one line made in USA trademark, a scrubbed WSP stampings, and lanyard ring, and original magna diamond grips. Think its owner was askng $2100 for it.

Thanks again, olypenn222