Police Dept Stamped Smiths. Value?

Wally West · Mar 26, 2017

I was just on an auction site and saw a nice Model 58 .41Mag in great shaped but it is stamped with police dept initials. This brings up a question I've wondered about for some time. Does this stamp add or detract from the value of the handgun and if so about how much? 10%? 20%? Total non issue?

I'm not talking about collectables original in the box with papers etc. Shooters in good shape.

Tyrod · Mar 26, 2017

I also wonder if whether the markings jurisdiction is red or blue makes a difference?

Faulkner · Mar 26, 2017

Short of some sentimental value I always thought it defaced them. I bought a firearm trade-in with my own department logo stamped on it that I found nostalgic, but I personally see no extra value in one stamped with some obscure department's initials from Idaho.

charlie sherrill · Mar 26, 2017

I like them and so do a lot of other collectors. I traded a plain mod 58 for a SAPD marked mod 58. I've got several PD marked guns, including a 3" model 65 marked BRPD (Baton Rouge) and a few marked riot guns.

policerevolvercollector · Mar 26, 2017

Faulkner said:
Short of some sentimental value I always thought it defaced them. I bought a firearm trade-in with my own department logo stamped on it that I found nostalgic, but I personally see no extra value in one stamped with some obscure department's initials from Idaho.

Because I take the opposite position, I hope there are more folks in your camp than mine.

.....and where is that marked 58 exactly????

Best,
Charles

Targets Guy · Mar 26, 2017

Increases value based on my years of reading this forum.

Absalom · Mar 26, 2017

policerevolvercollector said:
Because I take the opposite position, I hope there are more folks in your camp than mine.

.....and where is that marked 58 exactly????

Best,
Charles

I'm with Charles.

It does depend on the type of marking a bit. I've passed on guns where it looked like the department armorer decided to do the marking with an electric pencil after having too much "punch" at someone's retirement bash. On the other hand, there are beautiful scroll markings of complete department names on the backstrap for which I'd happily pay more than the condition of the gun could possibly justify. Which department it is also makes a difference. It's a judgment call.

But it is a collector's niche. Someone on the forum here lost a potential few hundred dollars not too long ago when he posted a marked gun, and when it didn't sell right away he dropped the price precipitously until it did. I never even had time to notice his posting, or I would have jumped on it and happily paid his initial asking price. Had he understood the niche appeal of his gun, he likely wouldn't have been so impatient.

Faulkner · Mar 26, 2017

Faulkner said:
Short of some sentimental value I always thought it defaced them. I bought a firearm trade-in with my own department logo stamped on it that I found nostalgic, but I personally see no extra value in one stamped with some obscure department's initials from Idaho.

policerevolvercollector said:
Because I take the opposite position, I hope there are more folks in your camp than mine.

.....and where is that marked 58 exactly????

Best,
Charles

Being a M1 carbine collector I know a lot of folks make money off of faking USGI proof marks on otherwise run of the mill M1 carbines. Maybe there's a market for faking LE markings on old junk revolvers.

Absalom · Mar 26, 2017

Faulkner said:
Being a M1 carbine collector I know a lot of folks make money off of faking USGI proof marks on otherwise run of the mill M1 carbines. Maybe there's a market for faking LE markings on old junk revolvers.

Some attempts are known but generally there doesn't seem to be enough money in it, unlike US government markings (besides the M1 you mention, US PROPERTY on Colts 1903 and 1908 are another big issue) or especially Nazi markings, which are enthusiastically faked and for which you can buy professional tools, like from these helpful folks:

Stamps for german weapons - period to 1945 - Waffenamt shop

Pictured below is a crude attempt to "fake" an NYPD marking; no such marking ever was applied by that agency, and ironically the gun DID ship to NYPD, which I was able to ascertain through another source before buying it quite cheaply.

JcMack · Mar 26, 2017

I used to own a model10 RHPD that was about 95% because they were issued, then soon replaced with autos. That one I'd like to have back. The Detroit PD used to issue nickle revolvers so stamped that are collected by some and bring a premium. I don't like agency stamping but it's not a deal breaker.
I bought a used 19.5" nickle once that had a case number etched on the frame under the grip. Turned out an old gent killed himself with it. His family thought enough of him they retrieved it from the PD after the matter was settled and sold it to a gun store. Kinda spooky.

Walter Rego · Mar 26, 2017

I am kicking myself for not buying a Model 58 that was marked SFPD that I saw at a gun show about 10 years ago. It was one of the San Francisco issued guns and I would have treasured it just to thumb my nose at Dianne Feinstein, former mayor of SF and avowed gun hater. I do have a really cool old M&P from 1934 that is factory engraved on the backstrap MASS. STATE POLICE and letters as such. I figure it is worth a premium over an equal condition 1930's M&P.

shouldazagged · Mar 26, 2017

Faulkner said:
Being a M1 carbine collector I know a lot of folks make money off of faking USGI proof marks on otherwise run of the mill M1 carbines. Maybe there's a market for faking LE markings on old junk revolvers.

I've bought my share of old revolvers but never a real junker. I've always bought shooters, so if the gun is junk I don't care if it bears the engraved signature of Melvin Purvis.

Caveat emptor, and all that. I'm sure there are fakes, as there are in most fields of collecting if there's money to be made.

For a pure shootin' gun, the presence or absence of police markings is immaterial to me. I've never bought them with resale value as a primary consideration. Never could afford to be a collector.

JSR III · Mar 27, 2017

To someone that collects police guns then it could increase the value especially in an auction with competing bidders.

For the average shooter I would think it does nothing because you are buying a tool and not a piece of art. I believe that with the added lettering it will still go bang.

Too a purist collector looking for as close to NIB with papers it would be a pass with or without the marking.

mike from st pete · Mar 27, 2017

I would pass on any gun stamped with initials.

old bear · Mar 27, 2017

Agency markings to me, fall under the heading of no harm no foul. If I found a firearm I wanted at a fair price that was neatly marked I'd buy it. But, I would not pay a premium for it.

Muss Muggins · Mar 27, 2017

Doesn't do anything for me one way or the other. If the stamping is poorly done, it's a deal breaker. Otherwise, same value to me as a non-stamped pistol.

glenncal1 · Mar 27, 2017

Walter Rego said:
I am kicking myself for not buying a Model 58 that was marked SFPD that I saw at a gun show about 10 years ago. It was one of the San Francisco issued guns and I would have treasured it just to thumb my nose at Dianne Feinstein, former mayor of SF and avowed gun hater.

I grew up in CA and thought it would be cool to have a SFPD marked 58 until I saw how much they were going for $$$. I don't think there is a set answer for the police marking value question. Depends on the gun and the department.

StakeOut · Mar 27, 2017

I like guns in original untouched condition so any markings on them a a big turnoff to me and I'll pass on the buy unless it's a super price and would make a nice range gun.

There's a no dash 66 2.5" snub nose in the classifieds with a PD stamping on the left side that turned me off from offering to buy it at the asking price.

kfields · Mar 27, 2017

I purchased a police marked gun last year for $329. It looked like it was marked up by a drunken sailor using a nail. It is a model 3906, an interesting pistol, and so I bought it. If the price were any higher, I would have passed as the markings definitely did not add value in my opinion.
Kim

mtgianni · Mar 27, 2017

Faulkner said:
Short of some sentimental value I always thought it defaced them. I bought a firearm trade-in with my own department logo stamped on it that I found nostalgic, but I personally see no extra value in one stamped with some obscure department's initials from Idaho.

Sir, there are no obscure departments in Idaho.

Police Dept Stamped Smiths. Value?

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