I’m not sure of what I picked up today, but I’m happy none the less. Walking around was a Stainless K Frame 6” Smith. I thought it was a Model 66. On closer examination, it was an overstamped 68-2 in .38 Special marked Los Angeles Police Department on the right side of the barrel. In addition, the right side of the frame had a stamped LAPD Sergeant Shield with a badge number. Quick research indicated it was not rare, but uncommon. We came to a price and it was mine. Excellent condition and it cleaned up spotless. Anyone know more about these, especially with a stamped shield?

Attached Images

	2191F24E-411A-447B-AA4E-2287DFB41E45.jpeg (113.6 KB, 800 views)
	4165130A-7428-45D7-BA68-425B49AB6B9F.jpeg (111.5 KB, 681 views)
	DDE96C66-CB9C-44EC-8586-0E652D94E3DC.jpeg (101.8 KB, 692 views)
	4EEC6666-B4CF-4B46-B21B-C7EDF1D3AB8D.jpeg (148.3 KB, 810 views)

that is a neat piece right there. Did the original box come with it to? Either way, it would be neat to talk to the guy that was issued to or bought it originally...

Don't know anything about it, but I do think it's awesome!

Nice gun with great history.
Walt

Nice looking gun..

__________________
1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

The model 68's/68-2's are unique and very cool. Their were only 8,055 of this model made. There is not a breakdown of how many went to the CHP or LAPD. You did well in getting it.

__________________
Ken

As noted above these were CHP and LAPD duty sidearms. This one was probably sold to the Sergeant whose badge number is engraved on it, but by its (really nice) appearance it was probably not a carry gun. Another way to confirm this is LAPD mandated these to be DAO, so if it is SA/DA it probably lived on a shelf.

There is/was a former LAPD officer here who knows more about these and might show up to comment further. Enjoy!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the info. It is DA/SA, no box. I’m not sure it has ever been shot. I needed some luck. I had to almost give away some old Marlins at a show last week. I should stick to S&W revolvers from here on out. ��

Beautiful revolver and a great find.

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

The Department never issued any engraved/special stamped guns. HOWEVER the Revolver and Athletic Club has commissioned several runs of various guns, Smith revolvers and 4506s, Ithica shotguns and such, over the years. This year one of the Divisions, Southeast, teamed up with Colt for a specially marked run of Colt Competition 1911s.

Its very cool OP. In the first pic... you will want to take the rust off that rear sight if not already done so. I HATE rust on guns...

That’s a beautiful revolver you found, congratulations. The badge number ending in 357 is a nice touch, even if the gun is a 38.

It should be a great target gun. I have an identical looking 66-3 which only uses .38 spl these days, and it’s one of the most accurate handgun I own.

Very nice Find. I would be Proud to own such a Revolver

As thrilled as I was to find this gun, I would rather look for a shooter personally. Does anyone have an honest guess on value? I will probably take it to my club's next show in November and sell it; the Ohio Gun Collector's Association.

Hi Bolt, Those were one of the only handguns allowed for duty use to have "extra" engraving. They came from the factory to the Revolver club, with the LAPD script on the barrel and the blond stocks, Officers had the Revolver Club inscribe the badge and serial number on the side plate( that number IS an actual serial number and not a badge number) sadly some officer or widow sold it for whatever reason.
Although ,technically not allowed, it was always overlooked by the armory when the officers brought them in to be neutered to D/A only. Some were fixed for officers after retirement, so it may be D/A,S/A.

SIS Units 645/4506/4566/ were the only other guns allowed, during my time, engraving not done by the factory, like SWATs 1911s as part of the serial number.
I bought mine from a widow, it was never engraved, but I wouldn't think it would hurt the value, as it was dept allowed and shows it actually was an officers weapon at some time, nice find, hope it has a good home...Bob

I have one of these as well, I have a strong attraction to most any weapon with police/govt/other markings.

Mine came with the box and documents but is definitely used. No badge engraving and has wear. I strongly suspect it was an officers carry weapon due to the wear and for having been altered to DA only.

A very neat revolver, great find.

So you did watch reruns of Adam12 while cleaning it right?

Be on the lookout for a Ithaca M-37 LAPD Special. Rare as hen’s teeth, it would be the perfect companion piece.

Saw one priced reasonably in a Georgia gun store a few years back but the Model 68 wasnt on my short list.

IIRC the Model 68 uses the shorter K-38 cylinder (from a Model 67 or Model 64) instead of using a longer Magnum cylinder with .38 bores.

This means the barrel forcing cone protrusion into the frame window is longer like the K-38 and would prevent fitting a .357 cylinder.

Makes sense they would call it a Model 68 since it is a different model and came after the Model 67,
likely the Model 68 is the closest S&W ever came to producing a 6" version of the Model 14 albeit with shrouded ejector rod (normally reserved for Magnum revolvers until years later).

In view of this, I'd hesitate to load any very hot ammo, assuming that it had the same heat treatment and special steel of Model 66.

But if you carry one where you might need the most power a .38 Special provides, I think Buffalo Bore's hot round, about the velocity of the old .38-44 ammo, but with a more effective bullet, might make sense. I think it'd stop most animals you'd need a handgun for.

The Model 19 or 66 with six-inch barrel in the usual .357 chambering is an exceptional outdoorsman's gun: full Magnum power when needed, plus lighter to carry than larger .357's.

Even Jeff Cooper noted that, .45 auto fan that he was. He felt that the M-19 with six-inch barrel was an exceptional trail gun for the hiker or backpacker. At the time, M-66 hadn't appeared. When it did, it just made choices even better.

LAPD guns towards the end of revolver service had to be DA only. What about M-68's carried by CHP officers?

Why not just carry normal M-66's? The reason is that officers were banned from using .357's, by admin. decree. CA is a very liberal state, and "community leaders" didn't want cops carrying Magnum guns. The politicians caved, so no M-66's for police there. Other cities probably differed. In fact, one of our members now retired in another state used to wear a snub M-19 on duty. I forgot which city he was a detective in, though.

Hi Guys ,as for a 4" model 68, I know a few were converted with 4" 67 barrels in the armory, for officers that for whatever reason wanted a 4 ", those barrels were not marked LAPD , just plain red ramped barrels.


Hey Schultz , About the Ithaca shotguns there was a real nice commemorative from the revolver club. I don't have one of those but had these laying around, right before retirement the city decided to auction off the old Ithacas , only if you were trained with one. I got one and wife got one .One of a few times being an armorer had its advantage. Wife's had literally sat in a closet at personel for over 25 years.
Model 37 and 87

Attached Images

	DSCN1537.jpg (75.5 KB, 90 views)
	DSCN1539.jpg (107.8 KB, 82 views)
	DSCN1542.jpg (111.7 KB, 82 views)

I used my 68 to get NRA revolver distinguished. A superb target revolver. Badge and initials were engraved at the LAPD Revolver Club store.
Bob

I can toss in a bit more. I have the other 68 commemorative which is the CHP version. Came in a nice wooden display case with a brass plaque. As I recall, they were for officer purchase only. There were also issued 68's for CHP. They are easy to identify. They were stamped "CHP" originally, but the ones that were sold surplus were over-stamped so they read "OHB'.
Cut down and converted LAPD revolvers seem to come in all flavors. I worked with a female sergeant who was originally issued a new 6" model 14, that she immediately had cut to 4". You can always tell because the factory stampings on the barrel were not aligned for the shorter barrel.
Someone with greater knowledge than I should write a book on the history of LAPD guns.
God bless y'all, fuzzy

I'd never seen one of these before; that engraving sure looks better than the sloppy BPD stamp on my Boston issue Model 64.

Always had a soft spot for Ithaca 37s since I shoot long guns lefty due to dominant eye.

Bought my first 37 in college when some guy came into a bar I was in and offered it for the first $40.

I'm surprised my wallet didn't burst into flames considering how fast I whipped it out!

__________________
Richard

2500 original model 68 were made for CHP in 1977

__________________
viking

Adrian,
Are you speaking of issued duty weapons? My commemorative dates to 1984 as does the issue of the CHP magazine which has the original article on the gun. Please clarify for my interest.
Thanks, fuzzy

1Adam 12...respond to the 211 at 4100 Wilshire..Visions of the old time cop shows. Wait a minute, I am an old time cop.