I am 70 years old, married to the same woman for 51 years and been a collector of Winchester and Marlin rifles with a few handguns mixed in for about 50 years. Born and bread in Texas. Now retired and enjoying what the good lord has given me.

I purchased my first Smith & Wesson last Monday, a 4506-1. I never realized how good a gun the 4506 is until I got this one.

I am going to write up a thread in the Semiautomatic section with a picture and the story behind the history of this gun.

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this fine forum. I look forward to learning more about Smith & Wesson and their weapons.
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I received my first Smith & Wesson last Monday. I was excited to know that I could actually put a history together on a pistol that was manufactured in 1995. I first saw it on GunBroker.com about a week ago and became interested in it when I found out it was only 100 miles South of where I live. I called the folks that had it and was able to work out a deal for me to become the new owner.

As the pictures show it was originally owned by the Fresno County Sheriff Department. I called and spoke with a Lt. Lancaster and he informed me the pistol had been purchased in 1995 or 96 with a group of pistols. He gave me the name and e-mail address of the Deputy Sheriff, Timothy Scott Herzog, not a nicer gentleman in this world, that it was issued to.

I e-mailed him and he was nice enough to give me a history of this 4506-1. He was issued the unit in 1998 when he entered the Peace Officers Academy. He carried the weapon until sometime in 2007 when his department sent the group back to Smith & Wesson as trades when they went to the 4566 “Tactical” model. He could not even estimate how many rounds he had put through the gun but said that during the time he carried it the only thing that was ever done to it was to change the trigger play spring.

He said it never failed to operate correctly and was a very accurate gun.

He confirmed through their Armory that he was the only one to have ever been issued this piece.

I hope I have not bored you with this thread but I thought it to be unusual to be able to put a history together on a pistol that was manufactured in December of 1995 and was carried by a Fresno County Deputy Sheriff until I purchased it in July of 2008..

I look forward to many days at the range with this fine Smith & Wesson pistol and many days of enjoying this forum.

djh

This message has been edited. Last edited by: djh1765,

That's a neat story! I see a lot of similarities in the gun and car hobbies with interest in knowing the history of the item.

djh, Thanks for the interesting story. Half the fun of buying used guns is learning the history of them. I hope you get to enjoy that .45 for many years to come!

Regards, Jerry

What a great story.My first gun S+W Model 10 was owned by a Westchester County NY Sheriff and it was his duty gun for 20 years.It has a "Bull Barrel" that was put on by the Westchester County Police Armorer.It adds to the enjoyment when you know the history of your "New Used" gun.Welcome to the Forum and enjoy.....God Bless......

Good story, DJH, and very nice pistol. I too love the Marlin rifles. I currently use both the 336 Texan in .30/30 and the 1894SS in .44 Magnum for deer here in Alabama.

DJH,

Welcome! And thanks for the story. Around here, we love this stuff!

DJH

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing!

The story adds a personal touch to an otherwise inanimate object. Good job on tracking it back.

djh1765,

Thanks for sharing this interesting story.

It's nice to know it didn't just sit on a shelf some where gathering dust in someone's safe for 10 years, but had a career "Protecting and Serving".

and...you have the name and face of the LEO owner to boot!

MOONDAWG

Thanks for sharing your story! It's always great to put a face & story to an item.

That reminds me! I have a Detroit Police issued Glock 22 I picked up last year I need to research. I bought it the day after a retiree had traded it at my local gun shop. With a serial # less than 500, it would have been issued when they first got'em.

Welcome dj. How many 39A's do you have?

Great to be able to track it all the way back to the original owner!

djh -

Nice shootin' iron you have there. And thanks for posting its history. I think it's pretty rare that a new onwer gets to know the details about a weapon that's seen some duty. Good detective work on your part.

I was not bored. That was cool to read you actually talked to the Dep who carried this one,
Good shooting too. Hope you have lots of fun with this one
G

Congratulations! I don't think many members of this forum would think your story was boring. I have a lever action Marlin 410 that was only made from 1929-1932 and I can't find parts for it. I was wondering, do you know where I could get some parts?