I've got a "Nassau County PD" commemorative 66-2 (walnut case, presentation grips, special engraving, etc....) Mine's # 304 of 825
Got me thinking.....how many different "commemoratives" are out there? I've seen Suffolk Co. PD (to match the neighboring Nassau Co), Detroit PD, Indiana State Police, Texas Rangers (with matching Bowie knife combo)......what others am I missing?
And what's the general oppinion on worth (over an identical gun....minus the fancy engravings, case, etc....

I've got a "Nassau County PD" commemorative 66-2 (walnut case, presentation grips, special engraving, etc....) Mine's # 304 of 825
Got me thinking.....how many different "commemoratives" are out there? I've seen Suffolk Co. PD (to match the neighboring Nassau Co), Detroit PD, Indiana State Police, Texas Rangers (with matching Bowie knife combo)......what others am I missing?
And what's the general oppinion on worth (over an identical gun....minus the fancy engravings, case, etc....

IMHO, the commemoratives hold less value than a "plain" model of the same gun. The only one I have noticed that generates even mild interest is the Texas Ranger model 19. I have one I am seriously considering selling but it seems like it may be hard for me to find a buyer for that one even.

There are hundreds of commemoratives S&W made for various agencies and they don't seem to command much of a premium over standard guns. However, some of them are pretty darn nice and if it appeals to me I will buy one.

There are 5 guns I've heard of as being considered "offical" S&W commemoratives and those don't seem to command a premium either. The exception is the Elmer Keith which is selling at $200 to $300 over its issue price. Frankly that has always suprised me as it is a gawd awful bling-bling looking gun. YMMV.

Bob

Hundreds? It has to be more into the thousands. Not only were there commemoratives that S&W produced, but there were many organizations that bought a block of firearms had had the commemorative designed outside of S&W.

As to value? Outside of those that participated in what is being commemorated or those that admire what is being commemorated it is just a revolver with extra markings.

Sometimes commemorative embellishments can be as simple as a roll mark on the barrel, a logo on the side plate and a wood case. Sometimes the logos and roll marks are gold washed, sometimes they are left unfilled.









Then you have some with a little extra. Perhaps a small gold inlay or a badge/buckle included in the commemorative.



Then you get to the more serious embellishments like hand engraving. Sometimes it is class D coverage sometimes it is full coverage.




The more heavily embellished commemoratives do command a premium over the price of a like model revolver. However the cost is usually attributed to the embellishment and not to the event commemorated.

This is not just limited to LEO commemoratives (even though I kept the images focused on that category). S&W has commemorated many other things as well. We are also not limited to S&W as other firearms have been used to commemorate both LEOs and events.

Obviously, I like them. Several are always on display in my office and I like to switch them out every now and then. At the moment the Deluxe Texas Ranger Model 19 has been put away and my SIG P239 USSS pistol is on the corner of the desk.

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"Acta non verba"

Real nice collection! Here's the 66-2 I was talking about:








I've got an uncle who's a retired detective sgt. from that agency, so I felt the need to add a "safe queen" to the safe! LOL

Oh......scored her for $500

Me Like!!

That is a great collection, Colt_saa.

I agree commemoratives may not be a great investment (though take a look at what FBI M-27s are bringing these days) but they are sure fun to find.

Thanks for the posting the pics.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I'm kind of glad I found mine with no coin and a dinged up box for under 300...cause it's a great shooter...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

That's the one I'm hoping someone can give me guidance on. A friend has one he picked up when they first came out because he was in the FBI. Last time I saw him he said his wife has been bugging him to get rid of it for over 20 years and asked if I was interested. What is the price range of these and how much will I hurt the value when I bust a cap on it the first time?

Had three of the BP commemoratives. two of them went to friends who wanted them early on; the third one I traded into a very nice (real) Springfield Armory 1911 of about 1914 vintage. I then sold that off at a decent profit and put the proceeds into a full-house engraving job on another 1913 vintage 1911 by a "name" engraver. I figure I parlayed that original $240 or so into a $3500 gun by the time I was done. One of the few times I actually ran a lucky streak out all the way.

As it has turned out, those BP commemoratives peaked in value early on and then got lost in the ground clutter. As far as I can tell they are now just a M66 with some significance to guys who like them. I think the others are about in the same category, and their prices tend to reflect that.

Personally I like that last 1911 a lot better.

In 1985 the North Dakota Highway Patrol had its 50th Anniversary. They had 4 inch M586's commemoratives made up which was odd because at the time the NDHP was using 4 inch M66. I saw one the other day. Been many years since I had seen one for sale. I belive this was the model made for public sale. The ones I saw as a kid had a 50th Anniversary badge, pin & patch with it and this one didn't. I think that Troopers and LE only got the order the 'deluxe' set. I wouldn't mind having one for my S&W & North Dakota LE collection. They are going to have a 75th Anniversary not too long down the road. The NDHP has Sig 226R two-tones in .357Sig now. Wonder if they are going to have a commemorative?

I've got one still. It also has the matching badge # Randall knife along with it. My guess is that any value the gun has lost has at least been covered by the increase in the knife's value. I haven't a clue what its fair market is at this time.

I'm guessing that any unfired 4" M66 with a pinned barrel and presentation grips is up around $500 these days. With the knife worth significantly more since fewer were made (any Randall in like new condition has significant value, except at yard sales.....

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Dick Burg

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bat Guano:


As it has turned out, those BP commemoratives peaked in value early on and then got lost in the ground clutter. As far as I can tell they are now just a M66 with some significance to guys who like them. I think the others are about in the same category, and their prices tend to reflect that. [QUOTE]

I hope your right as I let mine go when I was young and dumber! and now that I am retired I would like to find another one.. For a while (when I was not interested) there were a few around South Texas for the price of a plain 66, know when I start searching the only ones I found were higher than a cats ***.) Had 2 DEA Series 70 Gold Cup Commems and tried to sell one on GB a few years ago and nobody wanted it so know one sits in the safe and one is a hell of a shooter..

I find the same to be true when somone buys a decent 1911 and drops 2 grand in it and then try and get it back in a trade or sale.. Never happens around here.

What a great thread! Thanks for posting those incredible pictures guys.

Colt_SAA have you ever seen a Maine Warden Commision (game warden that is) model 66? A genlteman I know has number 1 of 500. He is a retired Maine warden and they did a lottery to see who got what gun. He won number 1. I keep asking to see it/buy it, but I'm not having much luck.

....sometimes I enjoy looking at the collection others have of such items....

I never hunt them down for my own purchase and don't particularly expect to ever spend extra money for such.

"True Engraving" is often interesting on what OTHERS own....same for tatoos....I may enjoy looking but don't care for my own....

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

By the way.....if anyone has a line on a Suffolk Co PD. commemorative (same setup as the Nassau one, but the case is lined in red instead of blue).....please let me know.
My uncle was a Nassau detective....but I grew up in Suffolk Co. I'd love a "matching set"

This is an Indiana State Police commemorative issued about 1975. This Model 66 has not been fired since factory.

We need to have the board put together a permanent album of some sorts with pics of all the commemoratives!

jut wondering if you still have the texas ranger gun?

i had a Chicago Police Dept. commemorative 4" 66-1 that took forever to sell. finally got rid of it for the pricely sum of $450

I picked up my SCPD Commemorative back in '85 when we were celebrating the department's 25th. anniversary. The pistol is a 4" Model 67-1, with serial number XXV-181/500. It came with a blue lined display case, an official SCPD 25th. anniversary breast bar and an SCPD shield for engraving. I also purchased at the time a matching Buck 110 folder with the same serial number. Mine has been a safe queen since the day it came home and the cylinder has never been turned other than at the factory. I have never considered selling it as it has sentimental value... (Incidentially, SCPD never issued Model 67s and at the time of the commemorative was issuing 64s.)
But, SrBenelli, send me a PM as I know a guy I work with that has two and was interested in selling one...

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Stay Safe...
jd SWCA #3276

Ga. state patrol,26-1 45 long colt Got the total package even the box as it was delivered to the patrol post.

Mr. 4864,

If you're able to find the ND Highway Patrol 586 - I have a NIB - Presentation Case for it if interested... Just let me know...

Email sent.....

In my mind, unless the thing or agency being commemorated is improtant to me, the addition of the engraving, roll marks or whatever actually lessens the value. To me. An agency commemorative is generally important to members of the agency being commemorated and to "wannabees," but not to many others. There are, of course, collectors of these, but they are few and far between.

So.......because I've got a commemorative from the Dept. my uncle retired from, and am intrested in eventually picking up a matching one from the county I grew up in, you'ld consider me a "wannabee"??? Nice to know, friend...
To the others.....thanks for the info.....

The Montana Highway Patrol did a four inch M-66-1 commemorative back in 1979. We were carrying M-28's at the time. Total production was 213 units. IIRC the price to Troopers was around $245. I didn't start with the Patrol until 1985 but did buy one simply because I did a career with the MHP and it's a Smith.

I'm not a fan of Commemoratives UNLESS they can be bought VERY cheaply. Otherwise I've lost money on the majority of them. Talking everything from a Sako rifle, to several winchester M-94, to the later Browning Win's.

FN in MT

Detroit Police Department Renaissance 1978 revolver. 1 of 865. Smith & Wesson model 19-4.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I think PD commoratives have their place and it can be any where from a shooter to a prized collectable. It's too bad that they aren't thought of more highly by more folks considering who and what they are honoring/commemorating versus a "regular" commemorative:

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police M586:





CHP M68-2... which basically a M-66 chambered for .38 Special only:

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Iowa State Patrol Commerative.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Now, let's not get real defensive, please. I said "generally," and I stand behind that. The part you did not quote says "and not to many others." Thus, there are others to whom such commemoratives are valuable, and you are one such person due to the relative connection. I will say that the lack of a significant market increase in price for these commemoratives proves my point - that few beyond the agency members, "wannabees" or others, such as yourself, with a "connection" to the agency, are interested in buying these commemoratives. That was my point, and to the extent you took offense, I am sorry for my comment, which was obviously inartfully stated. My apologies.

The "funniest" police commemorative gun I ever saw, was a Smith & Wesson model 66 from the Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department. According to the legend told to me by the gunshop owner who had it, the gun was a police Chaplain's revolver.

Obviously, whoever worked in the agency and ordered the revolvers for the department had a helluva sense of humor. Do you know what the engraved serial/badge number was on the left side of the frame below the cylinder?



666

True story!

Its pretty obvious several things are happening with gun prices. First, commemorative guns usually sell for premium prices when new and purchased from the company. Just as often, the early buyers pay too much and the last few get real bargains. But they may not get the serial numbers they treasure, etc.

But then over a few years the prices drop even more. Worse, once a commemorative has been fired a few times, it becomes pretty undesirable to everyone. And there is no reason for that, its still a very good firearm. You can use that to your advantage. If you want a gun commonly sold as a commemorative, the cheapest way might be to find one, almost always unfired, and pay even less than the same gun in a box.

Sometimes the special edition guns even come with much nicer grips. Some Colts even came with ivory grips! No premium on that. Compared to a gun without gold wash, its a $500 option.

The BP M66 I bought might not have been my best purchase.. it surely isn't my worst. But I think the Randall knife is probably worth more than the gun, the opposite of the situation when I bought it, probably 10 years ago. The advantage of having a M66 is you can always take it out and shoot it 50,000 times, or even double that.

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Dick Burg

Nice collection COlt_SAA. I only have Chicago PD comm revolvers. I managed to find a M66 in the series for my Patrolman, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captains Star numbers. Could not find the one for my Detective and Inspector numbers. I am referring to the numbers on the left side below the cylinder. Would you care to disclose that number on yours? By PMM/e-mail if you prefer? Thanks.

While very interesting to look at, I couldn't see myself owning a commemorative unless it was from my department. I wish they would come up with, though they never will. The only truly unique S&W we have are the NY-1s.

It's actually quite surprising that a department as large as NYPD never came out with a "commemorative".....

I have a Kentucky State Police 30 year commerative Model 19-4 1978 in the presentation case and it came with an arm patch. I have had it for awhile and I am considering letting it go since I am getting rid of most of my safe queens.I don't know how the pricing is going on these but you have a very limited market on most of the commeratives I have owned.

On the first page I commented that some of these can be "pretty darn nice" if not super valuable. The pics posted, especially Gunhacker's with the great accessories, sure qualify as pretty darn nice IMHO.

Bob

I have the SCPD Comm. I bought in 1985 new It is numbered #33 as my badge ended in 33. Ihave only opened the box twice in all these years, I have the box etc. Let me know what its value. I live in Suffolk, Gary

Hello Gary,
Welcome to the forum.
I would post your question in a new thread as this one is a few years old. You will get more members looking at it if it's new.

Although commemoratives are neat there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in them. The only interest would be from a person with a connection to the agency that the gun is commemorating. From what I've read, value is based on the same gun in the same condition with the same features. There doesn't appear to be any added premium for a commemorative.

First a disclaimer: If you like these guns (commemoratives) more power to you. Some people like all kinds of things I don't like and it's OK with me.

Now: I decided to add to this post after reading this from a response above.

I'm a retired LEO and I have to tell you I don't see any "honor" in having a departments name or badge engraved or etched on the side of a perfectly functional firearm. If someone handed me a S&W of a model I particularly like and it had my old departments shield and my name and badge number etched on it…I'd ask them where in blazes they got the darn thing and what on earth they were going to do with it, 'cause I shore wasn't interested in it.

Just sayin',
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE- LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.
The gun I have up for sale is a S&W 4 inch, Mod 67, 1985 Comm. The gun was bought by me in 1985 and placed in the safe, never held, never shot. In it's engraved wood box. The serial number is #33, Reading SCPD XXV-33. The gun is a beauty and new in the box stored for 29 years now. Retired member of SCPD. The serial number is number 33 of 400.

The serial number, #33, just happened to be the last two digits of my four digit shield, not my exact shield. I selected it form the 400 available because of the low number. Gary

It seems to me that the commemoratives may have meaning to individual officers from the specific agency, or to collectors of firearms from a particular agency. I like the. WSP guns, both because my dad and i worked there and because I like seeing a gussied up 28!

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Even older, even crankier....

My Detroit Police commemorative says 1 of 865, but I think they all say that. (like the pic of the one in post #30 of this thread).

My dad has the Missouri State Highway Patrol 66 and 60. They're fantastic shooters and he carried the 60 as a back up for 10 years as a LEO (not with MSHP). They have a lower number badge, 231. The original owner used the 66 in department pistol competitions. I've been trying to get him to sell me that 66 for years.

Sorry for the "Brand X" gun, but I thought some might like to see the original NJSP commemorative revolver. This came with a buckle (you can see a printed version of it in the case), but, unfortunately, it was missing when I found this set for sale.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

I'm a big fan of the "Brand X" guns. Nice package. What can you tell us about it?