27-2 freed

[demkofour]

Haven't been around much lately what with work and the sort... but wanted to post about a Smith I came across.
My unit executed a search warrant on a pretty elaborate drug house yesterday and during the search I located a M 27-2 with a 6" barrel and checkered Target Goncalo Alves.
Now I know you're thinking that since it was a drug house, the 27 was probably a mess. It was in a clean and dry soft case and was in remarkable condition, considering it was stolen in a house burglary back in 1997! The blue was deep and rich, the grips were clean and sharp and it was in overall I'd say 97% condition. SN range was N400000.
Since it was recovered stolen property, it's going to be held as evidence and eventually returned to the rightful owner. If that doesn't happen, my department has a standing policy of destroying all recovered firearms not needed for evidence, prosecution or some other legit purpose. Let's hope it gets reunited soon...

[VM]

Thanks for the story Jim and glad to see you post!
We'll keep our fingers crossed for successful "end of story"
That would be a cool, belated Christmas present for rightful owner.

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Cynic that I am, do they even make an effort to locate the rightful owner?

[sheriffoconee]

not speaking for his agency, but we go out of our way to find the rightful owner. we recovered a Win 94 that was taken in a burglary in 97 a couple of weeks ago, and got it back to the owner.
Trouble is, sometimes the insurance company pays off on a burglary, and they notify us that they have first claim on any recovered property. In those cases, we try to notify the owner so they can buy their property back from the Ins Co...

[demkofour]

Originally Posted by BLACKHAWKNJ

Cynic that I am, do they even make an effort to locate the rightful owner?

My department will notify the owner and let him know about the recovery.
But with the way things often go, he may no longer live nearby, may not be interested in gettting the 27 back (heaven forbid!) etc...
It will though be held until the case is disposed of or when the DA authorizes its release. I the meantime it'll sit in our property bureau.

[fyimo]

Let's hope the owner is around and wants it back.

[Hawg Rider]

If the original owners cannot be located, what a waste to destroy fine handguns! Why can't the PD auction the guns like they do for other recovered stolen property (cars, boats, etc.)? I'm sure that a local FFL dealer would gladly consign or list the guns for sale (GunBroker, etc.) for a small %, and the remainder could be returned to the PD for new equipment.

[demkofour]

Originally Posted by Hawg Rider

If the original owners cannot be located, what a waste to destroy fine handguns! Why can't the PD auction the guns like they do for other recovered stolen property (cars, boats, etc.)? I'm sure that a local FFL dealer would gladly consign or list the guns for sale (GunBroker, etc.) for a small %, and the remainder could be returned to the PD for new equipment.

Interesting, and reasonable thought...but my department would never do such a thing. Don't overlook the fact that I reside in liberal NYS. Years ago when we transitioned from revolver to pistol, officers had the option of buying their Smith M64/M15/M67 or the department would sell them off to a big distributor in the mid-west. That's where most went. Imagine the uproar here when one of the sold revolvers ended up being used in some gun crime outside of NY! Our local government decided then and there that it would never sell another gun and cause such an atrocity! Bad for rightious gunowners, good for the local recycling company- lots of sewer covers from then on...

[ladder13]

Hey Jim, good to see you back!

[flagman1776]

Let's hope the owner will claim it even if he has to buy it back. Knowing how insurance companies like to pay out large sums, he could probably resell her & make a tidy profit as well as keeping the old girl alive.
Russ

[tomhenry]

Originally Posted by demkofour

If that doesn't happen, my department has a standing policy of destroying all recovered firearms not needed for evidence, prosecution or some other legit purpose.

I've always considered that an idiotic policy originated by some idiotic bureaucrat. If law abiding citizens can be "entrusted" to own other firearms, then why would the local bureaucracy be too stupid to generate revenue by auctioning off recovered and confiscated firearms?

[Sportsterguy]

Originally Posted by tomhenry

I've always considered that an idiotic policy originated by some idiotic bureaucrat. If law abiding citizens can be "entrusted" to own other firearms, then why would the local bureaucracy be too stupid to generate revenue by auctioning off recovered and confiscated firearms?

If you could come into my PD's evidence vault you would be amazed at all of the beauties just setting there, waiting for someone like me to take em home and care for them.

With the economy in the s****** local communities could make some very good money auctioning off these firearms.

I really hope the original owner is still alive to get his baby back!

[ditrina]

Jim!! Great to see you back.. However I have a bone to pick with you...

It was YOUR model 66 I bought waaaay back when, that started it all, my first S&W Revolver.....


you never warned me that it would be an addiction!!

I owe you but my wife is looking for you Run Jim RUN!!!

Good to see you post..
Regards
Sal

[PALADIN85020]

demkofour,

Isn't that YOUR 27 that was stolen from you back around '97? I bet you still have that serial number written down someplace, don't you?

[Buford57]

demkofour,

We discussed the whole concept of trying to return "found" guns to their original owners earlier this year and the consensus was "finders keepers, losers weepers". Can't you just give it back to the nice doper?

[demkofour]

Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for the early morning new year chuckles!
Be safe guys! And Sal, God Speed...