Put in a bid for a Missouri State Patrol Pre Model 15 with 5" barrel, that was offered for sale by the Woodlawn Boys on Gunbroker. Well, I won the bid and am now the proud owner of said gun. It is one of fifty shipped to the Missouri State Patrol on June 13th, 1952.

That's just beautiful. David Carroll who i believe is the Wodlawn Boys, is, I understand, a member of this forum and the SWCA. His reputation is unimpeachable. I just bought one of the guns out of, I believe, that same auction, and am impressed by their professionalism.

That is a fine looking Smith and Wesson!!! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thank you. Which one did you get? There was another 5" Pre Model 15 being sold and it went for over $2,600.00.

There was also another USAF Model 15 up for sale, and that went for $2,100.00, which was a very good deal too.

I think I got a good deal on mine. $1,480.00.

Bill,
I was talking with Larry on the phone yesterday, he said you were after one of these. Glad you got it! Bring it with you on Saturday please!
Congrates!
Bob

I would like to bring it, but unfortunately I won't get it until sometime next week.

Yea Bill, your right. Not sure what in the heck I was thinking.....
Now you gotta play the painful waiting/anticipation game

SWEET Bill, at least I won't have to wait till the fall bunch to see it. As I told you, it's a very hard to find gun. Maybe we could put our 5" 38's together and raise a few litters of them!!! Enjoy it, actually took my ISP overrun to the shoot last nite, it's very accurate, Larry

Well, I have been interested in the little fellows for the last few years, and I was looking at an early half coin Baby Chief serial # 299, and a 2" pre-model 30, .32 Hand Ejector, both from the late Dr. H. Shepard Rowland collection. When the Baby Chief went over $2,000, I gave up, and ended up buying the .32 for $555. It looks even better in person than it did in the extensive and very detailed photos. Delong with Mr. Carroll was a pleasure, and although this was the first purchase I have made from one of his auctions, I will not hesitate to buy again in the future. I often follow the Woodlawn Boys auctions on GunBroker, and he always has really nice stuff. I am more of a collector-shooter, and I prefer things that are really nice, but that I don't feel bad about shooting with moderate handloads.

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Congrats on a very nice and hard to find acquisition Bill. I'm glad this went to a good home, as I know you will enjoy and cherish it for a long time to come. I was also wanting it and made some effort to bring it home to be with it's 5" brother from Illinois, but in the end it just wasn't in my cards. I feel alot better knowing it went to someone that had it as one of their grail guns.

Once I get healed up from the pacemaker/defibrillator implant, I will start shooting the "Dirty Harry" matches again. May just have to try out the 5" K-38, huh? I think it would be fitting shooting a Missouri State Patrol gun in the "Dirty Harry" match.

I was wondering if another Forum member was bidding on it. Sorry I took it away from you, but I just had to have it. Good to hear that you at least have a 5" Illinois State Police K-38.

Nice k38.

Why do the k38's haunt me? I was never interested in the K38 nor the 38 special round. I've been with the magnums too long.

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Plant garlic in the fall

That 5" MHP is mighty fine!!! Great balance. Our own "Linde" here is the resident expert on these. They even have some of the old property cards that might show who it was issued to. You got a great one!! Congratulations!!

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PTLAPTA!

Linde gave me the heads up on the auction, as he knew I was looking for one. It would be fantastic to have the "property card" for my revolver.

When I was a deputy the MO Highway Patrol guys were given a matched set of S&W's a 66 and a 60, I seem to remember they had the badge number on them. They were told by the Commander if any of their guns end up at a crime scene they would be toast. Quite a few guys put them in a safe deposit box. Most didn't want them, they could sell it legally which would have given them a copy of the County permit for records. Several guys asked if we wanted to buy them, foolishly I turned them down.

One might contact the Highway Patrol headquarters in Jefferson City, MO to see if they have records.

I knew some of the old timers, if you get a name let me know, I may have some history for you.

Nice acquisition Bill. I recently picked up a MSHP 5" CM, purchasing from the only owners son. They're tack drivers! Mine shipped to the dept on 10/3/52. There was a total of 365 shipped.

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Get off my lawn!

Nice gun. Yours shipped after the one I acquired, but I see that yours has the "fish hook" hammer, and mine has the semi target or "combat" hammer. Hmmmmm.

According to an article written by Shawn McCarver, Russ Lindenlaub and Roy Jinks, the Missouri variation shipped with the 5" tapered barrel, blue finish, micrometer click adjustable rear sight, serrated Baughman ramp front sight, speed hammer with .375 inch spur( also known as High speed or Fish hook hammer), standard trigger, and checkered diamond magna stock. Contact Russ and he can send you a copy of the article.

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Get off my lawn!

Thanks. As mine also has Target stocks on it, perhaps the Trooper who had it made the modifications. I will try and contact Mr. Lindenlaub.
Bill

Since these were duty guns and were in service for 24 years I'm sure the original grips took a beating and a lot probably were replaced over time. My grips were long gone and I had this set of correct sharp shoulder magnas in the safe.

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Get off my lawn!