Hello, I’m new around here. I have been lurking for a while reading threads about the 5” k-38s the MSHP carried. I’m curious what else you all could teach me or other resources available out there about duty weapons they carried over the years. I’ve seen the 50th anniversary model 60s and 66s. What else did they carry?
Missouri State Hwy Patrol Revolvers
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I can't answer your question, but both Missouri and Illinois state police carried 5" guns. It seems like I recall one was a 5" K-38, and the other was a 5" Combat Masterpiece---but I don't recall which gun for which state.
That said, the guns are identical except for the configuration of the barrel.
The best part about these odd-ball guns is Jinks' explanation for them----"They would do anything anybody would pay them to do."
Ralph Tremaine
That said, the guns are identical except for the configuration of the barrel.
The best part about these odd-ball guns is Jinks' explanation for them----"They would do anything anybody would pay them to do."
Ralph Tremaine
BigMuddy
Member
I don’t know what they carried before the 4” M66. The K frame was replaced with the L frame 4” M686, then Glock 22 40 S&W. Don’t know what they carry now. I would guess Glock 9mm’s.
Dan
Dan
Missouri-5" tapered barrel.
Illinois-5" heavy barrel.
Illinois-5" heavy barrel.
CHARLIE699
Member
Welcome 741! Spent a lot of time in Cape. Bride went there (S.E.MO). I've seen several of the MSHP 66's & 60's. The 5" K-38's & M14's have been on the search radar for some time. I've run across several revolvers that had been shortened to 5", so I guess it's just not me?. Trick is finding one with the Baughman front sight. Search continues,,,,
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Wasn’t the late great Sergeant Harvey Harris’s DSN 741?
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The 5" tapered barrel MSHP guns are .38 Combat Masterpieces, and the 5" heavy barrel ISP guns K-38 Masterpieces. I seem to recall MSHP tending to favor 5" barrel revolvers but don't recall specifics.
Alan is correct. The MSHP revolvers were .38 Combat Masterpiece units with the special order 5" barrel supplied by the factory. Records seem to indicate that at least 367 units were assembled, with 365 shipped to Shapleigh Hardware, in St. Louis, Missouri, for delivery to the State Highway Patrol. There were a total of four shipments, beginning on June 13, 1952, and ending with a shipment of 30 units on October 13, 1953.
The photos below show one of the units that now resides in my collection. It shipped to St. Louis on October 3, 1952.
I purchased this revolver from the son of the trooper who carried it on duty and was later promoted to Lieutenant. He purchased the revolver from the department when he retired, after the MSHP switched to the Model 66. The gun was delivered to him in a Model 66 box, which I now have. It makes sense that the department would use a current box to dispose of the older revolvers, since they probably did not still retain boxes from 1952.
Shawn McCarver and Russ Lindenlaub are the experts on these Missouri Combat Masterpieces, and perhaps they will chime in with further information.
Prior to the 1952 purchase, the standard sidearm for the MSHP was the .38/44 Heavy Duty with a 5" barrel. Desire to continue with that barrel length seems to have been the impetus for the special order to S&W for a 5" Combat Masterpiece.
The photos below show one of the units that now resides in my collection. It shipped to St. Louis on October 3, 1952.
I purchased this revolver from the son of the trooper who carried it on duty and was later promoted to Lieutenant. He purchased the revolver from the department when he retired, after the MSHP switched to the Model 66. The gun was delivered to him in a Model 66 box, which I now have. It makes sense that the department would use a current box to dispose of the older revolvers, since they probably did not still retain boxes from 1952.
Shawn McCarver and Russ Lindenlaub are the experts on these Missouri Combat Masterpieces, and perhaps they will chime in with further information.
Prior to the 1952 purchase, the standard sidearm for the MSHP was the .38/44 Heavy Duty with a 5" barrel. Desire to continue with that barrel length seems to have been the impetus for the special order to S&W for a 5" Combat Masterpiece.
SEE!!
I don't care what you want to know, no matter how obscure, weird, and off the wall it may be, somebody here knows it-----RIGHT NOW!!
You'd think we'd have something better to do with our time and our intellect, but I don't know what it might be right off!
Ralph Tremaine
OP
That is correct!
What could be better than this? Maybe a PhD in nuclear engineering might find it boring but not me.
OP
Thanks everyone for the info! 5” Combat Masterpiece with tapered barrel added to my wishlist. I’m guessing it’s not possible to identify the Heavy Duty? No HP stamps or consecutive serial numbers have been identified?
Not that I am aware of. Russ or Shawn may know something about serial numbers.
Correct on the MSHP markings. I do not believe the department put ownership marks on the revolvers.
We do have a complete list of the Combat Masterpiece revolvers from 1952-53, including the list of which units shipped in each of the four shipments.
Now everyone wants one ! Let’s hope a hidden stash of them pops up !
I also wouldn’t mind a 5” .38/.44 …
I also wouldn’t mind a 5” .38/.44 …
