I call this my Adam 12 gun, due to it's use in that show's first three seasons. A Model 14-4 of mid-70's vintage.



Other than the aforementioned television show, my first encounter with the type came while I was in the Navy. A shipmate of mine had one, that his wife had acquired from her abusive ex-husband. After being hauled away by the police he never came back and she wound up with the gun. The first time he showed it to me, I marveled at the high luster blue finish and it's well balanced feel. It was a fine piece and I probably could have talked them out of it rather easily except for one thing, it was a .38 Special. At the time I had no interest in such a pea shooter. To gain my respect it had to start with a 4 or end with magnum, so I shook my inner head in disdain and handed it back.

Time has a way of changing perspective on many things and as I grew older my views changed. As I advanced into my middle years and began to experience the wear and tear of a high mileage life, I started to realize every shooting session didn't have to involve atomic mushroom clouds from the muzzle, with recoil strong enough to shake the pillars of heaven. I also started to gain an interest in old police guns. Because of this, my thoughts continually returned to that Model 14 I'd dismissed so long ago. I started to watch reruns of Adam 12 on late night television, a show I'd loved in my childhood but hadn't seen in years. I quickly decided I had to find one. Not long after I found this one at the big local gunshow, unfired and still in it's original box.



After the economic crash of 2008 a lot of guns were coming out of closets and sock drawers and I found several good deals offered by nervous individuals looking for quick cash. Unfortunately, this one's seller wasn't one of them. He wasn't selling grand dad's old gun, but was a knowledgeable dealer who knew what he had. He was firm on his price and wouldn't budge. It wasn't unreasonable and I'd seen fired examples going for nearly as much, so I didn't dither too long. You don't find these on the shelf very often in my area as those who have them tend to hold onto them, so I gave him his pound of flesh and left with my Malloy special.



Since the factory grips are rather collectable in themselves, I stored them in the box and put both away. The don't fit anyone's hand worth a damn anyway so I would have replaced them regardless. I chose to use a set of grips offered by the now defunct Grand Blue Grips, out of Bangkok. Made from sandalwood, the grips cover the backstrap and add size, something critical for me since K frame Smith & Wessons are a bit small for my large hands. I still have to take care when using the gun in single action mode, as the larger target hammer can often be impeded by the web of my hand, something that causes a short stroke to occur. Still, the pistol is a joy to shoot and with 148 grain hollow based wadcutters proves to be a laser beam.



For a couple of years I used it to good effect in bullseye competition. It was very satisfying to beat shooters with Aimpoint mounted semi-automatics with this old school shooter. However, one range qualification at work showed me my reloading skills were suffering due to spending so much time with the mechanics of a wheel gun, so I went back to a semi-auto for that use. I still love to shoot this one though and it's one I'd hate to part with. When I just want to relax and clear my mind, I grab the Adam 12, a box of wadcutters and head to the range. Life is just too short to get in a hurry.

Congrats, that's a real beauty. I'm a big Adam-12 fan b/c I was a working cop during the same time period.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

One Adam 12 . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Well, Troop: you've done it again!!! First "Baby", and now this beautiful example!!! What a joy it is to see your great photos of an equally great sidearm and read your descriptive prose regarding it as well.

Keep them coming.... This is a delight to the eye. I love the old police revolvers... I have some automatics as well, but I can't imagine anyone delighting in a photo spread of their Glock 23. I have one, but it is strictly a utilitarian thing, useful, functional, but lacking the panache and élan of these beautiful Smith and Wesson treasures. (And dare I say... a few Colts as well).

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Chains and knives

Beautiful!!!

(But, you know it needs Fuzzy Farrant stocks....)

That's a beauty! What is the barrel length?

I loved Adam-12 and Emergency. That is a beautiful set of stocks!

What he said!

The name of the show was Adam 12. Their radio call sign was "One Adam 12". Jes sayin'.........

Six inches.

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind.

That's a beautiful revolver, and some great photos, too!

And that was a very brave thing you did. Especially here.

I'm talking, of course, about admitting that you bought a NIB S&W, and are using it for it's intended purpose.

That gets a "tip o' the hat"!

Don't mean to rain on your parade and maybe I'm missing something, but the TV series "Adam 12" ran from 1968 until 1975. How can a mid 70's S&W Model 14 have been used in the first three seasons?

I think maybe the 14-3 was used, not positive about that. After the 14, they switched to the 15 4"

Adam-12 - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

That was the centerfire handgun I learned on as a young'in. Many a tomato can fell victim to a Model 14. My grandfather carried one as his service revolver for many years. I think he was the last officer with a non-magnum or auto when he retired.

His didn't look quite as nice as that one, though!

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Because of the metric system?

Do you have a LAPD holster to go with your model 14?

I am a fan of ADAM 12. When I was working my Sheriff's Office once tried to change our radio numbers and emulate the system used on the show. No one liked it, and we shortly went back to our radio numbers, 10 codes & signals. Every once in a while the show is in re-runs on various channels showing old TV shows.

That, sir, is one beautiful revolver, and it doesn't seem any worse for the wear. It has obviously been well cared for while in you custody, and I thank you for sharing it.

another nice old pistol, congrats again.

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

The pictures are beautiful no doubt. But your writing is very effective in showing your emotion and drawing it out of the reader. You have a real talent there my friend. Hope you keep collecting and sharing.

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Marc
Retired USAF

Really? Do you nit pick the number of cheerios in your cereal bowl every morning? K38, Model 14, Target Masterpiece, whatever title you want to name it, this type of revolver was used in the television series Adam 12 in the late 60's to the mid 70's. Is that specific enough?

Jesus wept, some of you people.

Thank you sir, I appreciate that.

I understand the desire to leave things pristine for the sake of history. But we're not talking about the Hope Diamond or the Rosetta Stone here. I also understand the desire to accumulate collectables simply for the sack of accumulation, but I'm not one of those people. On the other hand, I'm not one of those guys who thinks every gun HAS to be shot. I've passed on guns in unfired condition that should have remained so simply because I like to shoot mine and for various reasons they shouldn't have been. If this had been an unfired first year production K38 still in the box, then it probably should have stayed that way.

In the end, I get too much enjoyment from shooting them compared to just looking at them in the safe. Some of these will be passed on to my children, because they have value based upon their memories of shooting them with Dad. A while back, I gave a 1911 to my youngest son on his 21st birthday. It was a Colt built in their custom shop that I'd used as a carry piece for a decade. It's also the gun I taught him to shoot with. He became very emotional when I gave it to him and it meant far more than if it had sat in the back of the safe for the previous ten years. Perhaps someday he'll pass it on to one of his children and it will mean something to them because of their association with it.

Life is about memories and legacy, not dollars and accumulation.

Trooper:

I think you have hit a formula that is a nice balance of collecting and using, and preserving for the future. I have tried to instill that same sense of values in my boys, and by extension, I hope that they, in turn will pass those values on to the grandkids, the oldest of which is just now 9 years old. I'm proud of my boys (my only two children, two boys), and believe that most of my guns will go to them, with a few specifically set aside for the grandkids, and my better half.

I too like guns that are nice, but not too nice. For example, I bought an original Colt Poclet Positive, thinking that it fits in with the sort of guns that I like to shoot, and when I got it home, after close inspection, I don't believe that it had ever been shot. Made in the early 20s. Now what? Well, I took it out and shot a couple of cylinders full of nice clean, modern non-corrosive ammo through it, just so I wouldn't have the decision of whether or not to shoot it hanging over my head. Cleaned up very nicely, and now I don't feel guilty if I take it out to shoot.

We have a camp over in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and my boys and I have been going there most of their lives. We built the cabin together. We spend a lot of time when we are there shooting various guns, and doing lots of other things as well. We have rock climbing, and trout fishing right behind the camp... We are on the North Fork river, and there is hunting all around us. Bears wander into the camp from time to time. The point is, that guns and shooting are part of a much bigger picture of family and outdoor activity, and not just an end in themselves, as much fun as they are, and as much as I enjoy shooting and collecting.

Whew... Sorry, but you hit a chord there that resonated with some of the things that I feel strongly about.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Les, I agree.

We've all known plenty of people who buy guns and put them away unfired, "for my kids". Why? There's a great chance your children won't share you interests and that gun will just be something to sell off after you give it to them. The memories are what make them special. My M1 Garand will someday go to my daughter and her husband, primarily because it's related to a funny incident that occurred when she brought him home to meet us for the first time. In that sense the rifle has meaning to them, otherwise just Dad's old rifle. Much like the Colt 1911 I gave my youngest son, it has meaning through association, not from it's material self. Even our oldest son, our middle child, who has no interest in firearms at all, is sentimental about a few pieces because of their attachment to memories he and I share.

You can't take the stuff with you and when you're time is done most of it will wind up in the pawn shop or just be old junk for your family to deal with. As an amuatuer historian I recognize and value the preservation of history. If it's a rare piece or attached to someone or something of historical significance then it should be preserved. However, the vast majority of these things really don't fit into that category. Baby was mint and unfired when I found her. I could have preserved my investment and kept her that way. (of course, even fired, today I could sell her for more than I paid) If I had done that I would have always regretted it. I had her out at the range yesterday and got a grin on my face every time I sent a fire ball down range. It reminded me of days long gone, when I was a young cop who did the Lord's work with such an instrument. You can't put a value on such things.

I have a similar one with the exception that it has about a 4 5/8" barrel. She is a safe queen for sure (except I have smaller hands and the grip fits me perfectly). Except to clean it lovingly every now and then she never gets shot. Good luck and good shooting.

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Regards from THE Old Fart

The Clamshell holster on the show was made by Safety Speed I believe. Quickest dang holster ever but not very secure.

Safety Speed certainly made the clamshell holster. I still have mine, but it is for the 4 inch.

That said, there was at least one other source for LAPD leather.

Attached Images

LAPD Adam 12 type leather provider - JAT Industries.jpg (116.0 KB, 72 views)

I couldn't agree more!

I only have one gun I haven't shot, (an almost pristine 1933 Colt DS) but not for any reason other than I haven't really felt the need to. I probably will, eventually.

In the past, I've gone off on mini-rants about saving fine firearms for someone else to enjoy, but I also know that not everyone needs to shoot every gun they own.

And again, that's a beautiful gun. I bought my first K22 a couple years ago, a 17-3, and that would make the perfect companion to it!

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A Country Boy Can Survive

LAPD did in fact use K-38/Model 14's for years before and during that show. No one really believes that one can tell the dash numbers on guns seen on TV. LAPD had dash variations made whenever the order was placed.

It made no visual difference to the viewers, although the gunsmiths may have needed to know about small variations, to be sure they had a screw for older ones, etc.

Here's a K-38 Heavy Masterpiece in a Safety Speed clamshell holster. This holster is basket weave leather. Once you push the button to open it up you better have a good grip on the gun or else it's hitting the ground!

Of course, and unless my info is wrong, the Model 14 lived on in the LAPD even after the transition to the Model 15. Reportedly
a number of 14 barrels were cut to 4 inches.

And, I believe, the LAPD also bought a quantity of Model 67s in the later years while revolvers were still in vogue with the police.

Correct. Been discussed here by LAPD members. Some also bought Model 68, a six-inch look-alike to Model 66, but with a shorter cylinder chambered for .38 only, not .357. Some Model 68's were also used by CHP.

Model 68 was designed purely to prevent cops carrying .357 ammo on forces where it wasn't authorized. Anyone else should just buy the usual M-66 and have .357 capability.

I THINK M-68 wasn't issued, but sold to officers wanting it, via LAPD gunsmiths. They ordered it direct from S&W. May have been issued by CHP. Unsure.

Obviously you have a problem with reading comprehension, the original poster did not say that this model of revolver was used in the TV show, he wrote that this model 14 was used in the first 3 seasons.

I'm sorry, now I see that you are the original poster, please be more specific in your writing in the future. Some of you people!

For more information on the guns issued by the LAPD in the 1960's and the early 1970's see an earlier post of mine, (Old faithful re-visited).

Here's my dilemma:

The original post is a great story backed up with great photos OR it's a great set of photos backed up by a great story.

Either way - thanks for both.

That's one fine specimen and you were lucky to find it in that condition. Like you said the seller knew what he had and you paid the price because you knew the price was right for such a find.
No doubt you will always look at it in awe of its beauty.

You seem to be the only one who has a problem with my writing. Funny how you choose to contribute minimally to the discussion with such trivial criticism. Are you as equally petty in person?

Ah, the Safety Speed. Giving the term "dump pouch" a whole new meaning.

I cannot understand why you continue to be so rude. Your initial writing indicated that your revolver was used in the first three seasons of "Adam 12". You need to "chill out"!

By the way, your doctor called, you forgot to take your meds today.

Nice K38, love the holster pics too.



I think their call sign should have been 2-Adam-12 (Rampart)

As for call signs, I think they worked out of different stations on different episodes.

BTW, how many Cheerios are the right number in a bowl? Never thought of that before. My Cheerios intake may be slightly excessive by current PC guidelines. But bowl sizes vary.

I hope that we won't find this topic to be a few Cheerios short of a bowl... the gun stuff and photos are excellent.

Then their call sign first number would change with the Div they worked out of.
I don't know anything about cheerios, I do use them as a filler in my 12ga 3/4oz reloads though. Rice Krispys work good too. Might want to try them;
...agree on the gun stuff and leather as stated.

Now, Gentlemen. The object of the thread was to show us all another classic that survived in pristine condition. That cannot be debated. Grammar and syntax, on the other hand, may be depated ad nauseum. Great 14!!!!

As Trooper has pointed out, the K38 Masterpiece (a.k.a. Model 14) is a fantastic revolver! I love mine ... I have two, a 1957 4 screw and an early '80s version (14-3 and 14-4?). In addition, I have a brand new, in the shrink wrap peg board package, Single Action kit.

K22 is a 3T, at the bottom.
K38 4 screw is in the center with a Hogue Monogrip and service trigger and hammer.
K38 with 3Ts at the top.

Attached Images

IMAG0071.jpg (59.1 KB, 24 views)

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Judge control not gun control!

Malloy carried a 6" model 19 with Farrant grips in the first few years before they switched to the 15's in later episodes.

What are you missing here? He had a Model 14 or a pre-numbered K-38. The M-19 wasn't even authorized on LAPD, unless I've been misinformed.

Read my post about Model 68, although it was stainless and came later, I think as an optional purchase, through the dept.

It is well known that the K-38/M-14 was the LAPD revolver until they went to the shorter barrels. I've seen photos of officers back then, and that's what they had. Some may have had the equivalent Colt Officers Model Match.

I watched Adam-12 when it was on TV and since on YouTube, and I know and like the six-inch M-19. I'm very good at identifying guns on TV. I will be amazed if you can show that Malloy had a M-19. He did use custom grips.