What a weekend for collecting S/W's. This is the reason I drive all over Central Texas attending shows just about every weekend.

Not 5 minutes after the show opened a man approached me holding a 34-1, short barrel, excellent condition, I bought it.

Just a short 15 minutes later, this walked up to the table.
27-2, 3 1/2", nickel, marked "Austin P.D. 307"

And to go with this revolver, an original APD issued Sam Browne, with holster, handcuff case, speed loaders with carrier, and keepers. All marked Smith/Wesson, with the exception of the speed loader case.

I learned the Sam Browne was issued in 1975.

Until I get to the department to research the revolver, I am not exactly sure when the revolver was issued.

Larry R.
SWCA 2494

Attached Images

	APD 307.jpg (163.5 KB, 341 views)
	apd307.jpg (128.3 KB, 314 views)
	apdbelt.jpg (167.6 KB, 312 views)

Great pic up. The police agency guns are really neat, but to find one in a desirable model like the 3 1/2" mod 27, or a 38/44, or model 58 41 mag is outstanding. I got the same gun, without all the accessories, a few yrs ago. My serial number dates to around 1967, in the high "S' series.

Enjoy your APD 27
Charlie

Here's APD #261 with Shofieldkid81 grips in the Franzite pattern. Best feeling grips I have tried on the N frames.

OH MY good hunting in the Lonestar.

Gotta' love the gun shows. Great catch Larry!

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Nice catch Ringo.
Short barrel and in great shape with the provenance as well.
I need to get to Texas for some gun shows.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Wow, that Austin PD knew how to roll!

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Tony

Nice, some times you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Me, I should be so lucky.

Nice buys!

I was in Austin this weekend visiting family. I had time to go to Kingsland on Sunday for their small, but interesting gunshow.

I saw some nice S&W's (overpriced) but had a great time.

Bought something I consider a bit hard to find, a tan, basketweave double magazine pouch for double column magazines. And it will do double duty as a single stack .45 magazine pouch as well.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Can't beat that set up with a stick. You done really good.

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S&W Model 15-3

very nice indeed!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Great find ! I never find anything that good in GA shows .

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THX , Roy

Dang it Ringo, when are you going to let the rest of us have a chance at some of the APD guns?


A very nice find indeed

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On the Oak Savannah

You're a fierce hunter Larry-
btw, real nice meetin' you and the other fellows at Aransas.

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Halfway and one more step

OLd TexMex,

It was a pleasure meeting you and visiting with you at the Aransas Pass Show.

I have never attended that show before, I will definitely go back.

I still need that boxed Smith you were walking around with, very nice gun.

Larry
SWCA 2494

Nice catch! Now a bit of trivia; this leather rig was probably worn by a sergeant or higher. The brass colored buckle and snaps give that away b/c officers or privates wore silver colored buckles and snaps.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Larry, another nice collectible! You and donniedee and a couple of the other Austin guys ought to collaborate on a history of the Austin PD firearms.

Have you ever talked to Ray Martinez to ask him if he recalls the rack number of the HD he carried in 1966? (I'm sure this question has come up before, but if I ever heard what he said I have forgotten it.)

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David Wilson

David,
I have the HD Ranger Ray was carrying! Larry, send me an HD when you need $ to buy more APD 27's! Great catch!
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

Old Cop,

You are correct. When I got on in 1986, Cadets, Officers, and Senior Officers all wore silver.

The first rank to be issued the gold buckles and gold snaps was that of a Sergeant Investigators. That rank is now gone and was replaced by the Detective rank.

David,

I met Ray Martinez a number of years ago. He was at an Austin show promoting his new book. My wife got an autographed book and a picture with him. He has been asked so many times about the 38/44 he was carrying that day. He does not remember and until the records surface, we'll have to wait.

Larry
SWCA 2494

I am obliged by multiple instances of reliable testimony from forum members to conclude that Ray Martinez was actually wearing a 50-60 pound pack that day. It would have contained somewhere around 20-30 HDs in it in case circumstances compelled him to execute a series of New York reloads.

Service revolver assignment records strike me as the kind of thing that would get purged early on in a push to simplify files. I suspect we will never know the answer to the question. This way everyone with an Austin HD has at least a 0.4% chance of owning Ray's gun. That's better than the zero percent that all but one owner would face if the real number could ever be established.

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David Wilson