VSP Model 64-3

[The_Truth]

I have aquired what I was told is a Virginia State Police issued Model 64-3. It has a square butt, 4" heavy barrel, and the only mark I can find on it that seems out of the ordinary is a capital V on the cylinder between chambers. I can't wait to get it lettered to confirm its alleged provenance! Is the V any type of an indicator?

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[Kernel Crittenden]

Lot's of cylinders have the letter "V" stamped on them. I don't think it has anything to do with the state of Virginia. It's likely a routine inspection mark. I think some other letters are sometimes seen, but at the moment I can't recall which ones.

 

[Black Knight]

To the best of my knowledge the Virginia State Police never marked their issued duty weapons. There were special commemoratives but no marked duty weapons. Also I believe all weapons carried by VSP Troopers were state issued.

 

[stykshooter]

I agree, I don't think any of the state police revolvers were specially marked.

Back in the '80's the Virginia State Police were issued model 64's and issued 158 grain lead SWC ammunition. Most of the troopers I worked with rarely carried the 64's unless they were in the headquarters building, especially on night shift. They would go to the trunk of their vehicle and exchange the 64 for the model 65 that they carried back there. In a holster, they both looked the same. They loaded them with .357 rounds loaded with the 158 grain SWC bullet. Violation of policy, but they preferred carrying the .357 over the .38.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn Kernel Crittenden

Lot's of cylinders have the letter "V" stamped on them. I don't think it has anything to do with the state of Virginia. It's likely a routine inspection mark. I think some other letters are sometimes seen, but at the moment I can't recall which ones.

I checked out my casino 64s (64-5) after reading this thread. One has the V on the cylinder mentioned by OP. The other has an A which resembles a V unless you look closely.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congrats on the new M64!

 

[bronco45]

64s are a good SD gun. Accurate, stainless, and strong. Keep mine stoked with Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHPs the 20C load that is rated non+P.

 

[diyj98]

Most of the troopers I worked with rarely carried the 64's unless they were in the headquarters building, especially on night shift. They would go to the trunk of their vehicle and exchange the 64 for the model 65 that they carried back there. In a holster, they both looked the same. They loaded them with .357 rounds loaded with the 158 grain SWC bullet. Violation of policy, but they preferred carrying the .357 over the .38.

Seems like a potential for being fired if they were ever involved in an on the job shooting with a non approved weapon.

 

[silversnake]

Oddly enough, I too have a Model 64 from VA and it also has a "V" on the cylinder... Never thought about it being related to the state though.

My Model 66 has a "K" on the cylinder, I guess for K-Frame?

 

[Glashaus]

I have a 3" M64-3 that came from a Police Department in Virginia, I belive Prince William County, maybe Fairfax County, it was among a group of police trade ins at the gun shop that I used to frequent back in Warrenton Virginia, it has a capital V between the chambers on the rear of the cylinder.

 

[shell627]

Seems like a potential for being fired if they were ever involved in an on the job shooting with a non approved weapon.

I don't know about Virginia.But in Tn the TBI agents who investigate most police shootings.Have said a good shoot is a good shoot.A different caliber or gun may be a policy violation but a policy violation is usually written reprimand maybe days off.In a shooting disciplining a officer right away for minor policy violation could open the way for lawsuit.But when you get right down to it going home to your family at the end of shift means more than a job .

 

[silversnake]

I don't know about Virginia.But in Tn the TBI agents who investigate most police shootings.Have said a good shoot is a good shoot.A different caliber or gun may be a policy violation but a policy violation is usually written reprimand maybe days off.In a shooting disciplining a officer right away for minor policy violation could open the way for lawsuit.But when you get right down to it going home to your family at the end of shift means more than a job .

And if it's not a good shoot? If there's any question as to whether a shooting was intentional or not, or the officer misses the intended target and hits a bystander, you can bet having a non-approved firearm would be a problem. That seems like a legal and financial risk for the department.

 

[J. W.]

And if it's not a good shoot? If there's any question as to whether a shooting was intentional or not, or the officer misses the intended target and hits a bystander, you can bet having a non-approved firearm would be a problem. That seems like a legal and financial risk for the department.

More so, it's a personal legal and financial risk for the officer violating policy. Especially when it comes to a civil lawsuit.


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[bananaman]

Congratulations! You are sure to enjoy it! I have a 64-3 that currently does night stand duty with C.T. laser grips. Bob

 

[ShivasIrons]

I have a 3" M64-3 that came from a Police Department in Virginia, I belive Prince William County, maybe Fairfax County, it was among a group of police trade ins at the gun shop that I used to frequent back in Warrenton Virginia, it has a capital V between the chambers on the rear of the cylinder.

Small World! Thems be my bailiwick!

 

[ShivasIrons]

And if it's not a good shoot? If there's any question as to whether a shooting was intentional or not, or the officer misses the intended target and hits a bystander, you can bet having a non-approved firearm would be a problem. That seems like a legal and financial risk for the department.

In history, you often need to think of the time the event occurred in. Those were different times.

A friend of mine who worked up North back in the day told me of more than 1 time they turned a bad guy over and there were multiple throw downs underneath him!

 

[Glashaus]

Small World! Thems be my bailiwick!

I spent 49 years in and just outside of Northern Virginia before I relocated to Texas!

 

[LtBob]

VSP Mod. 64's

I worked the road in the 70's. First carried Colt, then was issued S&W Mod. 64 in 1976, and a replacement in 1979. They had SN's dating manuf. in 1976-1977. Not a special order thing by Dept. - they didn't do that - bulk purchase order thru normal supply purchase means. The "V" is some kind of proof mark by S&W. Tpr.'s could buy their old-issued guns when there were changes in issued service weapon - many opted not to, some did. I also had a 2" mod. 64 issued to me manufactured in 1979, and carried it until we trans'd to 10mm mod. 1026's & 1076's, then came Sig's.

 

[The_Truth]

I truly appreciate all the replies! I'm not LEO, but I've become enamored by classic VSP service weapons. I have great respect for VSP and quite enjoy the stories I hear from troopers current and former. Being a big 10mm fan I searched for over 2 years to add a VSP 1076 to my collection. From there I acquired what was supposedly a VSP trooper's backup model 36 which I dated to 1971. Unfortunately I was unable to prove its validity and concluded that it was not issued by the department, so I traded it. This Model 64 came from the same trooper through the same middle man. I wish I still had the 36 even if it wasn't department issued. It did have "_____ State Police 413" stamped in the backstrap, with the state name marred off the gun, but from what I understand VSP never marked their weapons so I became uninterested enough to trade it.

 

[Arquebus357]

May as well gush over my recently refurbed 64-3. Great revolver, changed the trigger rebound spring with a Wolff 14#. Single action trigger is amazing.