Anyone familiar with the acronym, "TDC?"

Babalooie · May 28, 2013

I recently purchased a Model 65-2 in a GB auction. It was in pretty rough condition, but that's the way I like them.

On the left side of the frame, under the cylinder, it has the following marking, possibly roll marked or stamped: "TDC 61758."
I'm guessing the "TDC" part represents a state or local Department of Corrections. Is anyone familiar with this type of marking?

lebomm · May 28, 2013

Texas Department of Corrections is the official name of the Texas prison system.

pawncop · May 28, 2013

Yep, Texas Department of Corrections.

clang444 · May 28, 2013

If it was an engine, it would mean Top Dead Center...

Rufus · May 28, 2013

TDC - Texas Department of Corrections

zonker5 · May 28, 2013

lebomm said:
Texas Department of Corrections is the official name of the Texas prison system.

It's been changed to the more politically correct "Texas Department of Criminal Justice".

Babalooie · May 28, 2013

lebomm said:
Texas Department of Corrections is the official name of the Texas prison system.

pawncop said:
Yep, Texas Department of Corrections.

Rufus said:
TDC - Texas Department of Corrections

zonker5 said:
It's been changed to the more politically correct "Texas Department of Criminal Justice".

That was one of my guesses. The other was Tennessee Department of Corrections.

Babalooie · May 28, 2013

clang444 said:
If it was an engine, it would mean Top Dead Center...

That was one of the first things I thought of.

sellersm · May 28, 2013

clang444 said:
If it was an engine, it would mean Top Dead Center...

Yeah that was my first thought as well!

Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk

A10 · May 28, 2013

Tammy Dated Chris?????

shouldazagged · May 28, 2013

Too Damn Complicated...

A10 · May 28, 2013

maybe, Talking Dog, Cheap???

Road Rat · May 28, 2013

Babalooie said:
That was one of the first things I thought of.

With todays computerized engines do they even use such things any more???

I stopped going under the hood when computers got added!!!

Babalooie · May 29, 2013

A10 said:
Tammy Dated Chris?????

Oh, no. She said I was the only one.

Dave in N GA · May 29, 2013

TDC means "thin dense chrome" in the Bearing industry. It's a commercial name for the "Armaloy" process. Don't know if it's seen much now-a-days but back some years it was a fantastic way to improve upon stainless steel since it was not only impervious to chemicals and corrosion. It also reduced the friction coefficient. A kind of self lubricated surface. I own a model 36 which has been Armaloyed and it's great.

05CarbonDRZ · May 29, 2013

I always thought TDC was Tampa department of corrections.They where known to have ordered DAO model 65's.

L Pete · May 29, 2013

As a former Texas Dept. of Corrections officer, whom worked prior to the introduction of the Model 65, I saw many, many older (and I do mean older) Smith & Wesson revolvers. They used and abused M & Ps and Model 10s, to the point that most of the forum members would be scared to pull the trigger on one of the guns with a round in the chamber. I don't think that this revolver came from the Texas Dept. of Corrections as a Model 65 is chamber for 357 Magnum. As far as I know, they only issued 38 Special revolvers and still do to this date. I may be wrong, but a 357 just seems wrong for them thinking of their administration and how it works.

Some of the old guns I refer to above had the sides of their barrels worn completely away for an inch or so from the muzzle due to extreme holster wear. When I say worn away, I mean you could see the rifling in the bores of the non-worn side from a side view of the revolver, without looking down the bore. Lock-up on some was non-existent, and yes, they were carried in that condition. I know that sometime after I quit, they bought a large lot of Ruger Security/Service Sixes to begin abusing.

Maybe someone from Tennessee can verify that the Model 65 came from there or possibly somewhere else.

Babalooie · May 30, 2013

L Pete said:
I don't think that this revolver came from the Texas Dept. of Corrections as a Model 65 is chamber for 357 Magnum. As far as I know, they only issued 38 Special revolvers and still do to this date. I may be wrong, but a 357 just seems wrong for them thinking of their administration and how it works.

Interesting. Thanks for your input. This gun was heavily abused. When I first received it, I showed it to my boss (I work in a gun shop) and we both cringed. I told him it would look much better after I spent a little time on it.

The rubber grips were so bad, I threw them away and just saved the screw and nut.

The rest of the gun had many scratches, dings and digs. It was so bad that, after spending hours with sand paper, wire brushes and Scotch Brite pads, I gave up and took it to the wire wheel.

The "TDC" control number is only half there. The lower portion was worn when I received the gun.

Yesterday, I took it to work and showed it to my boss. He was amazed. It's still not a barbecue gun by any means, but I wouldn't be ashamed to take it out in public.

Will try to post some photos later. I wish I had taken some before shots, but was "too busy."

If I can ever make it under the five gun limit, I'll try to get some info from Roy. He may be able to shed some light on the subject.

CGhelofxr · May 30, 2013

clang444 said:
If it was an engine, it would mean Top Dead Center...

What He Said

Elkins45 · May 30, 2013

Babalooie said:
If I can ever make it under the five gun limit, I'll try to get some info from Roy. He may be able to shed some light on the subject.

Forgive me for contributing to thread drift (though I'm clearly not the only one

) but what is the "five gun limit"?

Anyone familiar with the acronym, "TDC?"

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