Model 65-1

dragon57 · May 28, 2017

Hello, I'm new to the forum and have a couple of questions about a Model 65-1 that I just acquired.
The serial # is 1D174xx. I would like to know when it was manufactured, From what I have read here I would guess in the mid 70's, but would like to know anything more that you can tell me.
I know that the model 65 is considered to be a Military and police, or M&P, but this one has markings that I have never seen before, or in any pictures currently on the net. On the left side below the cylinder, on the lower frame it is marked "MPD 21. That appears to be a factory stamp.
Has anyone seen this before, or have info on what it might be?

hardcase60 · May 28, 2017

Welcome to the forum and congratulation in acquiring a fine S&W revolver.
What you have is a former agency issued gun. Someone with greater knowledge then myself may be able to narrow down what the "M" stands for. Memphis comes to my mind. The "PD" is for Police Department. The stamping was professionally done but only a factory letter would tell if it was done prior to leaving or after the distributor or agency got their hands on it. hardcase60

dragon57 · May 28, 2017

Thanks,hardcase60. I wondered if it was a particular police department. Memphis crossed my mind. 21 seems like a low number, It makes me curious about who it might have been issued to?

bananaman · May 28, 2017

Welcome to the FORUM! 65's are fine all business guns! As to the MPD, you can guess for a long time, and may never get it right! Bob

dragon57 · May 28, 2017

Thanks Bob, I agree that the 65 is a fine gun. I owned one a few years ago and have been looking for a well preserved example for a while.
There does seem to be a lot of possibilities for a city starting with M.

hardcase60 · May 28, 2017

Bananaman is correct in that you may never find out what agency the "M" stands for. Yes, the two digit number might indicate it was an order for a small agency but it could also have been on the low end of a larger order for a bigger PD. hardcase60

Double-O-Dave · May 28, 2017

dragon57 said:
I know that the model 65 is considered to be a Military and police, or M&P.

Hi Dragon57:

Welcome to the Forum. It may be nit-picking, and I could be mistaken, but I have never heard or read of a Model 65 referred to as a M&P revolver. The Model 65 is a stainless steel version of the Model 13. The Model 65 was created at the request of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The Model 13 is a heavy barreled Model 10 chambered in .357 Magnum created at the request of the New York State Police. The Model 10 was originally known as the M&P. The Model 13 and Model 65 were made with either a 3.0 inch or a 4.0 inch heavy barrel. The 3.0 inch barreled version is highly prized - especially the Model 65 Ladysmith version. The 3.0 inch barreled Model 13 was the last issued revolver by the FBI, while the 3.0 inch Model 65 was issued by the DEA.

Enclosed is a photo of my Model 13-3 and Model 65-3 with 3.0 inch long heavy barrels. Congratulations on the purchase of a fine revolver.

Regards,

Dave

TNZ71 · May 28, 2017

I believe the 10,12,13,64,65 were all M&P fixed sight K frame

Bushytale · May 29, 2017

according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson the model 64 and model 65 are M&P or military and police.

dragon57 · May 29, 2017

Thank you all for the valuable info. You have answered my first question, what does the MPD 21 mean. I have since found a listing for a 65-5 issued to The Wayne County Mich. Sheriffs office, and attached a picture.

For the second question, can anyone date mine by the serial number? 1D174xx

dragon57 · May 29, 2017

Here is the Picture.

BAM-BAM · May 29, 2017

dragon57 said:
For the second question, can anyone date mine by the serial number? 1D174xx

Is that # from the bottom of the grip frame? That's where the serial # is stamped.....

dragon57 · May 29, 2017

Yes it is.

BAM-BAM · May 29, 2017

dragon57 said:
Yes it is.

looks like......................1976

dragon57 · May 29, 2017

Thank you very much!

hardcase60 · May 29, 2017

dragon,

While it still doesn't answer your nagging question regarding which agency the "MPD" associates with, from a casual observation your revolver appears to have a more professional looking stamp than the one from Wayne County Mich. Sheriffs office. hardcase60

dragon57 · May 29, 2017

I see that now. I think I'm looking for a large city department. Possibly Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, etc.

bananaman · May 29, 2017

dragon57 said:
Thanks Bob, I agree that the 65 is a fine gun. I owned one a few years ago and have been looking for a well preserved example for a while.
There does seem to be a lot of possibilities for a city starting with M.

My 65-1, is a 13-2. As close as I have! Bob

JP@AK · May 29, 2017

Double-O-Dave said:
It may be nit-picking, and I could be mistaken, but I have never heard or read of a Model 65 referred to as a M&P revolver

Dave

As you noted, these various revolvers (Model 13, 64 and 65) were all derived from the Model 10 .38 Military & Police. The Model 13 originated as a Model 10-6 chambered for the .357 Magnum. When the 13 became a separate model line, it was called the .357 Military & Police Model 13-1. The Models 64 and 65 were simply the stainless versions of the Model 10 and Model 13, respectively. So here's the lineup, according to S&W's official naming convention (without reference to dash numbers):

Model 10 .38 Military & Police
Model 64 .38 Military & Police Stainless
Model 13 .357 Military & Police
Model 65 .357 Military & Police Stainless

hardcase60 · May 29, 2017

JP@AK said:
Dave

As you noted, these various revolvers (Model 13, 64 and 65) were all derived from the Model 10 .38 Military & Police. The Model 13 originated as a Model 10-6 chambered for the .357 Magnum. When the 13 became a separate model line, it was called the .357 Military & Police Model 13-1. The Models 64 and 65 were simply the stainless versions of the Model 10 and Model 13, respectively. So here's the lineup, according to S&W's official naming convention (without reference to dash numbers):

Model 10 .38 Military & Police
Model 64 .38 Military & Police Stainless
Model 13 .357 Military & Police
Model 65 .357 Military & Police Stainless

Is it considered excessive if you own more than one of each, some in different barrel lengths? Would it help if they had different dash designations? hardcase60

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