65-3 3” Wayne PD-pics added in post 10

[S&W Fan]

Impulse purchase today of the above revolver. On the back strap is stamped "Wayne Police Dept" with the number 3 under the cylinder window on the left side of the frame. It's a little dirty but times/lockups just fine. Shows some light wear but nothing bad. Serial starts with 7D88XXX so I assume 1981. It's in Colorado 3 day gun jail, I'll bring it home Tuesday.

Any insight on this and possible department? Thanks and pics when I bring it home.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congratulations!

 

[S&W Fan]

Thanks. I kind of hope it's from Wayne, NJ as I'm from NJ as well though thankfully my folks moved us to Arizona in 1968 lol. One of the best things they did for me!

It's ironic it's a former le revolver as the price I got it for is a steal haha.

 

[jtcarm]

Thanks. I kind of hope it's from Wayne, NJ as I'm from NJ as well though thankfully my folks moved us to Arizona in 1968 lol. One of the best things they did for me!

It's ironic it's a former le revolver as the price I got it for is a steal haha.

According to Geotargit.com, there are 21 cities named Wayne in the U.S., including one near Phoenix.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thanks-the only Wayne locale in AZ I was aware of is the neighborhood in Glendale. I have family in Phoenix, I lived in Tucson.

 

[jughed440]

Nice find. Definitely worth lettering.

 

[robotoid]

Can confirm Wayne, Michigan PD used Model 65's in the 1980's. Were also number stamped on left side of frame under cylinder.

 

[0311INF]

Is it me or is there no picture? C'mon, man.

3 inch 65s in any case are near the top of my list. Both fun and highly practical.

 

[4thAlabama]

Is it me or is there no picture? C'mon, man.

3 inch 65s in any case are near the top of my list. Both fun and highly practical.

I think the OP said it is currently in gun jail

 

[S&W Fan]

Is it me or is there no picture? C'mon, man.

3 inch 65s in any case are near the top of my list. Both fun and highly practical.

Cut me some slack-as mentioned in the original post we have a 3 day wait here in Colorado and TODAY is the day LOL. I picked it up then hit the range to run 50 rounds of Federal .38spl 130g fmj through it. Here are some picks including the first 6 rounds at 10 yards double action. Really happy with it, though I'll need to paint the front sight to be able to see it better. After I clean it I'll put on a set of period correct service stocks. A correction, the backstrap is just "Wayne Police".

I'm waiting for a t-grip copy from Robertsons Trading Post-hope the quality/fit is better than the last one I bought but for $30 shipped my expectations are low haha.

 

[BC38]

Nice gun. I love my M65-5.

For a revolver it has everything you need and nothing you don't.

FWIW, mine came from the factory with these rubber combat grips.

Yours is two engineering changes earlier than mine, so it may have come with wood RB magna grips.

FWIW, the Pachmayr Compac Pro grips yours is wearing are some of the best aftermarket grips available for a CC revolver (IMO).

 

[Beju]

I'm jealous, I'd quite like a 2.5-3" K-frame, but they usually go for higher than I'm willing to pay.

Really happy with it, though I'll need to paint the front sight to be able to see it better.

I recently got a 4" Model 64 that probably belonged to a security or armored car company. I put orange paint on the front sight and black sharpie on the rear for now. If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll re-do both in more permanent fashion with black paint on the rear and a clear coat.

 

[Baxter6551]

OP - great find. The 3 inch 65 / 13 is just about the perfect carry revolver. Took my 65-3 to S&W for the factory "Combat Revolver Package". Highly recommend.

BC38 - just to note your pictured grips are actually Uncle Mikes Spegel designed grips. Should be so noted on the inside of the panels. Not Pachmyers. Mine came with the same grips, but currently sporting Hogue Bantam grips.

 

[S&W Fan]

After a cleaning and grips swap-they match the metal finish to me. It definitely has streaks etc in the stainless but to me they speak to it's prior life and I'm just fine with them. I tried to show it in it's worst light lol.

I also added green fluorescent paint to the front sight.

 

[BC38]

OP - great find. The 3 inch 65 / 13 is just about the perfect carry revolver. Took my 65-3 to S&W for the factory "Combat Revolver Package". Highly recommend.

BC38 - just to note your pictured grips are actually Uncle Mikes Spegel designed grips. Should be so noted on the inside of the panels. Not Pachmyers. Mine came with the same grips, but currently sporting Hogue Bantam grips.

You are correct - but I think you misread me.
I wasn't saying MY gun had Pachmayr grips - I was saying that the Compac Pros on the OP's gun are some of the best CCW grips there are. I made a minor edit to clarify.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've got one that has "BRPD" (Baton Rouge) stamped just under the cylinder on the left side. They use 3" and 4" 65's Years ago. I've also got a nice 4" model 64 heavy barrel stamped "EBRPSO" (East Baton Rouge Parish" I talked to the SO armorer over there and he told me they went to the prison system when the PD switched to Glocks. I've got a few more LEO guns in various configurations and departments and always looking for more. Your 65 looks like it was marked by S&W. They usually do this for large orders. Hand stamps are usually done for small orders in house. Someone once told me that a department or agency had to order at least 400 units to get them S&W stamped, but I don't know it this is true. Maybe someone else here knows.

 

[Baxter6551]

Ref above post - our dept issued model 65s around 1982/83. The order was for right around 100 guns. They were stamped with the PD name and an issue number under the cylinder window in the same font that I've seen here with other factory stamped PD guns.

 

[S&W Fan]

Added green fluorescent paint to the front sight blade and blacked out the rear trough.

 

[S&W Fan]

Got the knockoff t-grip, fit is much better than the one I bought last year. This revolver feels perfect now, range time tomorrow.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

OP - nice score! My 65-5 3" is one of my favorites. Sometimes simple is better.

May I ask where you got the knockoff T grip? I like the look of that…