Bought this a while ago and am considering moving it, along with some others that don't get shot. No box or papers and came with the grips pictured, which, unfortunately, have underlying cracks from previous owner having over tightened them. Front sight was painted red, but otherwise in Excellent condition. I blurred the last digit of the S# in the pics. I was wondering if someone more knowledgeable than I could help with the questions below.

Is it a NYPD gun? I've read that some .38spl 640-2's with the same bead blasted finish were released to the public, and that even those used by the PD weren't necessarily marked.

What would the original grips have been? Uncle Mike's checkered plastic?

Can anyone give me an idea of what they're selling for in these crazy times?

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful info.!

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I would say that is an overrun NYPD variation. I think it’s collector interest isn’t as high as the 1 7/8” barrel 640 but I may be wrong. It really seams like there are a lot more 1 7/8” variations. I would think it’s worth a minimum of $500 if for no other reason than it is a steel j frame.

Thanks for the reply, and for your service! I haven't searched for them in a while, but when I did, it was easier for me to find a 640 than the gun above. Coincidentally, it was a police trade-in, also bead blasted, but I don't remember finding any markings that made me think it was a NYPD issued piece. I'm not planning on parting with the 640 1 7/8" just yet.

I'd appreciate additional info. or comments on the 640-2 above.

Cheers

From the SCSW 4th edition, page 315...

Model 640-2 reported as spec order 7135, 2-1/8" barrel, marked ANYPD with a pebble grey finish; speculated that some may be an NYPD special purchase overrun.

Product Code 103800 .38 Special for NYPD 1997...
Product Code 103804 .38 Special reintroduction Sept-1997, Discontinued 1999

Since yours is not stamped for NYPD, it probably came from the second run above, or overrun from the first. In either case, 1997~1999

The CAF serial number prefix is not explicitly listed in the catalog, but similar Cxx prefixes correspond to the late 1990's, so about the same period as the two production runs above.

Personally, I like the matte finish, even though it is harder to maintain. My 3rd gen semi-auto pistols are from the same period, and have about the same finish.

I would be willing to pay a premium for the gun over the 640-no-dash, if all other things were equal. Too bad we don't know what those grips are. The listed grips for the Model 640 are "Goncalvo Alves stocks or 3-inch barrel with Morado wood stocks with S&W medallions"

Unlike the Model 64 or 60 NY-1 Revolvers The 640-2 did not have any type of Department markings on the gun itself. The end label on the blue Plastic S&W box did have NYPD on it as the .38 Special only 640-2 was produced specifically for the NYPD.

The best way to find out if it was shipped to the NYPD Equipment section is to have it lettered.

These little magnum frame tanks shipped with rubber boot grips (Uncle Mikes). I did own a 640-2 awhile but preferred my original no dash as it just carried better for me.

If I recall correctly fellow forum member NCBeagle has one and a quick search will provide more info.

Yours looks to be in excellent condition and value would be around 450.00-500.00 without the box and letter.

Hope this helps and Thanks for sharing.
BB

I carried a 640 while a member of the NYPD. Mine did not have the fully shrouded ejector rod like the one in the picture. That looks like a newer .357 640 and that was never authorized by the NYPD. Mine came with standard wooden magna type stocks.

I have the same 640 as you and just retired after 27 years. The 640-2 was indeed authorized and sold at the equipment section. The difference between our no dash and the -2 was the magnum frame and fully shrouded 2 1/8” barrel which were necessary because S&W introduced the new 640-1 .357 magnum in 1996.

As you know we never authorized .357 Magnum which is why the NYPD asked that a .38 special (as stamped on the barrel above) variant (640-2) be manufactured to meet Department specifications.

Two variants of the 640-2 were produced, the first had a bead-blast finish as specified by the NYPD which was reflected on the box end label with NYPD printed under features.

The second was a standard commerical model with brushed stainless finish.

Although the standard catalog says 1997, the NYPD 640-2 became available in late 1995 at the equipment section as a old partner of mine purchased one while I waited outside 1PP for him.

Unfortunately, 1997 is when off duty revolvers were deauthorized as a option for new hires.

Thanks for your service and being a helpful member of the Forum. Tough times to be an NYPD officer or in law enforcement in many cities.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That thumb release is indicative of an older gun. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an early version

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-Matt

Heres a pic of some NYPD J-frames

The 640 on the left and the 640-2 on the right

I dont think either one of these is overly common.

The 640-2 is a least favorite of mine as it doesnt feel balanced well or something.

The 640-2 is only 38 special while normal versions of this gun were in 357mag. This hurts pricing to normal buyers.

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Huh. Didn’t know that. Never saw a 640 like the one the OP posted being carried by another cop, although who ever really sees an off duty out of a holster other than at the range for qualification?

I wonder if the equipment section is still so chaotic? Is it even still located in 1 PP? I remember going there and waiting and half the times you couldn’t get what you needed. Need a pair of duty pants in a size 34? Take these size 42 and get a belt! Other than one trip after graduation where I dealt with the nonsense I bought everything at a higher price at public cop shops. Gun sales were even worse. Call ahead and ask if they had guns, then get there and they didn’t.

Congratulations on retirement!

They are going to miss you down there, heck I'm going to miss you being down there!

Now you have more time to visit Rich

I always like hearing NYPD stories. Not the street stories, but the stories about dealing with such a large agency. I have known a lot of former NYPD officers over the years. It’s just weird compared to the small agencies I have worked with completely different mindsets. I like hearing about NYPD officers not replacing gear and uniforms until they are completely wore out and unserviceable. To them, nothing screams experience like a Sgt with a worn, brown duty belt with stitched up uniforms.

Yeah. Cops are all brothers but big city agencies are a whole different category. The not replacing gear and uniforms is more because NY cops pay for EVERYTHING they wear or carry, except for the gun (but they do pay for the night sights), the vest, and pepper spray. Everything else comes out of their pocket. There is a once a year uniform allowance. It used to be $1000 tax free, then it became $1000 taxed. We used to get it the first check in December. Guys used the money for Christmas presents, especially if they had kids. It would take total destruction of an item to spend the money to replace it. If you worked in an “A” house, meaning high crime and active, nobody busted your chops for your appearance. They were just happy you showed up. But regardless of appearance, when something went down and you called for help, you were sure about 30 guys were coming to help and they’d be there in seconds, and you didn’t care if their uniform shirt had a pizza stain on it from 1991.

KBM, that’s exactly what I have always heard. I have heard it was also in some what of a protest, or at least started out as a protest to show the command how ridiculous the supply and small stipend is. I know an agency here in SE TN, a 20 man force serving 4k residents and about 40 businesses, That pretty much supplies everything for their officers but still gives a $500 a year uniform stipend.

Back on topic, I have had two 640-1 in 357. I would just assume have that 38spl 640-2. It comes from a time when S&W was still significant quality and that is a strong little j frame. The mid length ejector rod as an advantage over 1.85” barreled j frames.

Guys, thanks for the added info. on the revolver, estimates of value, and truly interesting stories about those of you who depended on these trusty, little, wheel guns! The revolver came to me with the Spegel (or Eagle) rosewood (?) grips. I'm pretty sure my only pair of Uncle Mike's boot grips are on my 640 no dash (which is also a police trade-in and possible NYPD gun). I don't collect NYPD guns, but did acquire a number of used stainless S&W revolvers over the years; some of which I will likely attempt to dispose of as a result of unsanitary living conditions in China.

Thanks again for the replies!

It was that, too. You’d spend over 2 grand in the academy just for the basics. When I came on we bought the duty gun, too. Then some federal stipend came along and those who had bought their 9MM were compensated. Before the free guns you didn’t need to get night sights, so nobody did. Didn’t want to spend the money. Only reason guys have them now is they’re forced to buy them. The dress uniform alone was nearly $1000.

Yeah, as ragtag as we were, it was like the misery formed a bond. Milk crates wedged behind the seats to keep them from falling backwards after they soon broke, and just TRY to get a car taken out of service because the AC broke! Desk sergeant would look at you and say “so what foot-post would you like instead”, and you suddenly realized you could do without the AC.

Thanks for the memories!

A magnum Centennial in .38 Special only. Nice. I've never seen one of those. Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to add one to the Centennial collection.

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Centennial Every Day

Thank you very much, there is no shortage of helpful forum members with expert knowledge here.

You are very correct on where and why I saw so many NYPD weapons😊.

I was originally a Transit cop and started out as a rookie in District 12 (E180th/Morris Park) in the Bronx and was transferred to District 3 (W145th/St. Nicholas Ave)in Manhattan North. As you know we merged into the NYPD in 1995 which was better known as the hostile takeover.

The merge had its benefits and for me the best was the transfer opportunities which is how I found my second home for the last 20 years at the Bronx Rodman’s Neck Range.

The equipment section is now located in the new billion dollar police academy in Queens and 20th street is now the Candidate Assessment Division with Force Investigations on the top floor and the range in the basement.

It’s not as chaotic but the quality is still the same so I still would purchase my Uniforms from Paul’s Police on Westchester Square.

The equipment section no longer sells firearms anymore, the service weapons we had to buy are now given to the officers Which become personal property if they do more than five years, any less and they are returned and become training or loaner weapons.

Thank you very much, I see Rich all the time, as you know he’s one of my best friends.

I believe the grips pictured on your gun are Ahrends.

I used to be at Rich’s place almost every week, he’s responsible for the vast majority of my collection.
I do miss the banter in his shop, it’s always entertaining.

I do have one more transaction for him though, Louie knows. That is, if I ever am allowed back up there.

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Sure you did

Glad to hear it’s improved somewhat and I’m really glad the new equipment section is in the new academy. Makes a lot more sense. I remember the takeover. The housing cops never got treated right in my command from the bosses when they’d bring in a collar. Not badly, just second class citizens. I remember when Bratton became Transit Chief and he got the cops Glocks. After the merger it was weird to see a Transit sergeant with a Smith or a Sig since they never had the option. You knew they were recently promoted guys that they put in Transit.

I reload my ammo now and I remember 55 gallon drums filled with brass. Wish I reloaded then! Never have to scrounge for brass again!

The banter is is ongoing and still very entertaining! Yes and sooner or later we will complete that one lol.

It actually got screwed up of course! The equipment section requested twice the amount of space in the new location than what they had at 1PP and as you can guess ended up with less than what the old location had!

Yes, when they took the arrest processing out of the Transit and Housing commands and into the Precinct of occurrence in 95/96 I had one of those interactions. A desk Sergeant in the 30 didn’t want me to process the collar in “his command” because I was Transit. Long story short my boss got involved and the genius had to swallow more then he bit off when his CO came out to say “Thank you” and ask if I needed anything because my arrest cleared up a large robbery pattern in the command that they were getting beat up at COMPSTAT over.

Once the merge occurred those with the “second class citizen” mentality couldn’t get into the subway fast enough trying to get the OT we “Peasants” were guaranteed EVERY month.

The first Transit class to be issued Glocks (G19) was April 1991, which is also when the NYPD refused to let anyone that had a “9” shoot at the outdoor range. Those with 9mms went to Mitchell Field in Nassau to train and qualify. The first NYPD class to be issued 9mms (Glock 19, Sig P226 DAO and S&W 5946) was August 1993.

The 55 Gallon barrels of once fired casings are still alive and well!

Stay safe

I just found this thread. As BigBoku mentioned, I have a bead-blasted 640-2 (two of them, in fact). They bear no special markings. No box for either. The first came from a seller in Oyster Bay, NY who represented it as a NYPD gun. Bought a 4" rb NY-1 from the same seller. He is credible. The second came from a NY seller on "the big auction site" with no additional info.

In fact, both guns listed online only as "Model 640," without any mention of NYPD or "-" number. The matte finishes, full underlugs, and .38 stamp stood out in pictures. I spoke with the Oyster Bay seller before bidding. I may letter the guns at some point. These revolvers feel solid, smooth triggers. I will buy every one available at reasonable price. Would like a boxed example. Will post some pictures later.

Following up on the post above, here are the pics:







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