I was wondering if anyone had any data on 2 1/2 inch Model 19-3's that are Texas DPS marked, IE Left frame "DPS 20xxx"? I know that there were any number of Model 28s used by DPS but I suspect that the 19s were primarily issued to Narcotics, Vehicle Theft and maybe some office personnel. I have written for a letter from Roy Jinks but thought that someone on the Forum had accessed this information previously. Thanks
Guero

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Guero

Guero, I don't have an answer but I'll be following this thread closely as I have one of those DPS marked 19's. Mine is the only 2 1/2" 19 I think I've ever seen without a red ramp front sight. I wasn't sure these were even from Texas DPS, since I didn't happen to have personal knowledge of them ever issuing 19's. (I didn't work for DPS, but had several friends there from the 1970's on)

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Wait....... What?

Back in 1978-79 a DPS instructor helped us put out a PCH for our Deputies and State Police Officers. He was using a DPS 2 1/2 19 at that time, thus I know DPS did have a few back then.

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Run Fast, Bite Hard!

Now I have to check to see if my 2.5" M19 has a red ramp or not..... hmmmm....

Nope, no red ramp. I didn't think it had one. It's not DPS marked, though.

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Revolvers - Picture

I think Texas Rangers (not the Highway Patrol) were issued four-inch M-19's. Many wore their own guns, though, with Colt .45 autos being common.

Alcoholic Beverage Commission cops may have had them, but don't know if they are under the DPS roof.

I suspect that investigators and senior administrators would have had the snub M-19's or even smaller guns.

Uniformed Highway Patrolmen had four-inch M-28's. I don't know if they had options. Those were all I ever saw in their holsters.

May we see photos of these DPS snub M-19's? Might the governor's bodyguards have had them?

Here's a very poor grainy cell phone photo of mine, Texas Star.......

Attached Images

FA, DPS 19 mod.jpg (127.1 KB, 107 views)

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Wait....... What?

Responding to the question from JayAchOh. No, no red ramp front sight.
Provenance on this one is pretty good with regard to it being originally DPS. It is supposed to be from an ex-DPS trooper, one of several that he had. I will try to post a picture tomorrow.
thanks to all of you for your input.
Jim

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Guero

You hit the nail on the head when you posted the question.

They were issued to Narcotics, Criminal Intelligence, Motor Vehicle Theft Divisions, along with other plain clothes officers. All the suit and tie guys that worked for DPS. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is a separate agency from the Texas DPS. There are several other law enforcement agencies that Texas has, but none fail under the DPS back during the times when the M-19s were issued.