|
|
11-27-2013, 04:49 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Texas Prison System revolver
Hello All -
Newbie here, but long time S & W collector. I have over 30 Smiths in my collection ranging from the #1 to the mighty 29. Last week I found a piece I am proud of. I am currently a Peace Officer in Texas and a former Texas Correctional Officer (death row) so it is special to me. The gun came with a stack of documents from the 1970s including a Roy Jinks letter stating the gun was shipped to Texas Prison in 1930 and a State Board of Control bid letter when it was discharged from service. The revolver is marked "Texas Prison". The documentation states only 23 of these revolvers are known to exist. I came across an old Texas Prison System badge to go with it. Happy viewing
|
The Following 24 Users Like Post:
|
-db-, 29aholic, 824tsv, DCWilson, delta-419, Fredo Batali, GerSan69, gruntdeputy, j38, jackpearl, JayCeeNC, jsfricks, Kansasgunner, LEO918, Lew Archer, Muley Gil, Old TexMex, pawncop, pistola, ringo1597, Smithsrevenge, texmex, the ringo kid, turnerriver |
11-27-2013, 05:15 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Mid NC
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 4,874
Liked 5,727 Times in 2,130 Posts
|
|
That looks really nice, especially with you having been on the 'right' side of the bars! Great history that you have put together. Enjoy.
|
11-27-2013, 05:19 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 817
Likes: 392
Liked 890 Times in 263 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the forum. That is a nice pistol ya got there.
I fully understand the value to you. I myself am studying to become a Maine State Game Warden, a few months back I was at my LGS and came across a highway patrolman that was the 100th MSGS anniversary edition, with gold inlay, presentation box, silver hinges with velvet etc.
Wanted $850 for it but i bought it the next day just because it was a Game Warden Commemorative :-D
Great find!
|
11-27-2013, 05:28 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,411
Likes: 3,192
Liked 12,777 Times in 5,693 Posts
|
|
Have a old 38 spl that my grand father was issued at the Carson City Nevada prison......................
Funny thing, the old original lock that I also have, that was used there is worth even MORE money than the gun !!
Never know.................
|
11-27-2013, 05:35 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 348
Likes: 1,193
Liked 160 Times in 72 Posts
|
|
Way cool. Thanks for posting that.
I also appreciate agency-marked pistols.
Frank
SDMO/SDSO (ret)
|
11-27-2013, 05:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 665
Likes: 16
Liked 383 Times in 213 Posts
|
|
I worked there in the very early '70s, and never saw one of those you have. It looks to be in really good condition compared to the ones I saw in those days. Those old revolvers were rode hard and put up wet, too many times.
|
11-27-2013, 06:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,640
Likes: 242
Liked 29,153 Times in 14,095 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by texascop
Hello All -
Newbie here, but long time S & W collector. I have over 30 Smiths in my collection ranging from the #1 to the mighty 29. Last week I found a piece I am proud of. I am currently a Peace Officer in Texas and a former Texas Correctional Officer (death row) so it is special to me. The gun came with a stack of documents from the 1970s including a Roy Jinks letter stating the gun was shipped to Texas Prison in 1930 and a State Board of Control bid letter when it was discharged from service. The revolver is marked "Texas Prison". The documentation states only 23 of these revolvers are known to exist. I came across an old Texas Prison System badge to go with it. Happy viewing
|
What's the SN? Something like 626xxx is OK if you don't want to give the full number. Also, what's the exact shipping date given?
Last edited by DWalt; 11-27-2013 at 06:20 PM.
|
11-27-2013, 06:19 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bolivar, MO
Posts: 6,360
Likes: 3,558
Liked 3,242 Times in 1,100 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the Forum
I love guns like that. I had a chance to buy a 44 HE 2nd that had ties to Joliet, but didn't have the funds.
|
11-27-2013, 06:37 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
SN 6141XX October 20, 1930
|
11-27-2013, 10:13 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
|
|
Hello,
Interesting piece. About the inscription on the side plate, was TEXAS PRISON stamped twice and once upside down? I'm having a hard time with your pic, not quite sure my old eyes are seeing it properly.
|
11-27-2013, 10:49 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Sorry for the poor pics...Yes TEXAS PRISON is stamped twice, one is upside down. I pulled the grips off and the correct serial # is stamped on them.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-28-2013, 12:28 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Misery
Posts: 49
Likes: 228
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Working for the system in Misery for 17+ years and well appreciate the old guns we have used. You have all the right paperwork too. A good find.
|
11-28-2013, 12:41 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: South of the Nueces
Posts: 9,273
Likes: 23,812
Liked 20,090 Times in 5,871 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by texascop
Sorry for the poor pics...Yes TEXAS PRISON is stamped twice, one is upside down. I pulled the grips off and the correct serial # is stamped on them.
|
Sir,
Does the paperwork show which unit it went to?
Thanks
__________________
Halfway and one more step
|
11-30-2013, 01:46 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Yes Sir, the paperwork from the State of Texas is serial # specific, as well as the Roy Jinks letter stating the Texas Prison ordered this revolver, doing the math the revolver saw service for 42 years
|
11-30-2013, 02:01 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
I think I misunderstood your question, I thought you meant individual gun unit , but I think you were referring to which unit ie , eastham, goree, etc. No unfortunately it does not offer which unit. I guess you could see which units were active from 1930 to 1972 then talk to someone on the inside who might have access to old inventory records. The revolver has 2 different inventory numbers stamped on it. I remember being issued a revolver and ammunition by these numbers and returning it at the end of the shift, maybe the records were kept, was a long time ago, and was 13 years ago for me personally, I may check into it
|
11-30-2013, 10:04 AM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 12,572
Likes: 21,054
Liked 32,463 Times in 7,773 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by texascop
The gun came with a stack of documents from the 1970s including a Roy Jinks letter stating the gun was shipped to Texas Prison in 1930 and a State Board of Control bid letter when it was discharged from service.
|
It's interesting that the gun was shipped to Texas Prison in 1930...and then later you mention October of 1930.
Clyde Barrow entered the Texas prison system (Huntsville, I think) sometime around April of 1930 and was there for a couple of years. So who knows...your gun may have been in proximity to one of the most (in)famous outlaws who ever lived.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|