Police marked Model 10's

Jeffkframe · Jan 24, 2019

First let me say that I'm not what you would call an "avid" collector. I have a few smiths but nothing i would call a collection. I recently saw a MPDC marked 2" Model 10 sell on gunbroker for $905. It was 95% or better judging by the pictures.

Question 1: What does MPDC stand for? Maryland Police District of Columbia?

Question 2: I see Police marked revolvers from time to time and the always seem to bring a premium. I always assume its a bidding war between retired police officers from that department. Is this the case or is there just a collectors value to them?

Fboyj · Jan 24, 2019

MPDC stands for Metropolitan Police DC and you are on the right track on the second part of your question.

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swagmeister · Jan 24, 2019

It must have sat in a drawer for most of its life to be 95% or better. Most police trade ins are pretty well beat up cosmetically but in good shape mechanically. I think $905 was way too high, even if it was a 2 incher. A few years ago my son bought a Boston PD 4" blue model 10 from a local gun store for $400.00. It had a lot of wear but was tight as a drum and very accurate.

lkabug · Jan 24, 2019

Somewhat high at $905, someone really wanted that one. The old model 10 from the Metropolitan Police District of Columbia (MPDC) do not turn up that offer, but are out there.

mm93 · Jan 24, 2019

In the past the police trade ins were really cheap regardless of condition. The higher condition would get more, but not a lot more. Now it seems people have decided that police marked revolvers are somewhat collectible and are paying premiums. I blame the internet for this, as it allows more people to see them for sale, and develop bidding frenzy among those interested for one reason or another. When I saw them decades ago in local gun shops they were often ignored unless the price was cheap.

stykshooter · Jan 24, 2019

In the early '90's the gun shop I worked in bought a huge supply of heavy barrel model 10's stamped M.S.P. I think they were Michigan state police but don't hold me to that. I bought 10 of them from the owner for $87.50 each. No one wanted a revolver back then. That's what I gave for Christmas presents to my brothers and F.I.L. that year.

Absalom · Jan 24, 2019

Jeffkframe said:
.... I always assume its a bidding war between retired police officers from that department. Is this the case or is there just a collectors value to them?

The first assumption is not reality-based.

There is, however, a significant number of collectors, me included, for whom another gun, no matter the condition, is of interest mostly because it has a history. A police department stamp is an obvious factor to provide that history.

That’s why in many cases, a department stamp will attract collectors who will drive the price above that you’d expect for the gun as such.

Within that, of course it depends on which department and the quality of the markings as well as personal preferences. Electropencil scratchings don’t have the same effect on value as a nice, maybe even factory-applied, backstrap rollmark.

Attached: Some snips from my files. First three guns/photos not mine.

ABPOS · Jan 24, 2019

Grrrrrr..... I gotta buy a 10 before they start going through the roof. People are going to see that and think if they have a 10 to sell it's worth just less than a grand......

To me 500 is about normal for a really decent 10. I mean a real good one.

mpc · Jan 24, 2019

It's a multi-layered answer. A lot depends on the collectors, model, condition and department. Some departments fetch a higher premium than others.

Myself personally, I collect PD revolvers and depending on the department, I may pay more for it. Some PD firearms may have also only been used for a shorter period of time, making them more valuable to those collectors

The_Truth · Jan 24, 2019

I've got a thing for Virginia State Police and FBI service revolvers/1076s. Don't really know why. I'm not current or former LEO. But I do live in Virginia.

Birdgun · Jan 24, 2019

ABPOS said:
Grrrrrr..... I gotta buy a 10 before they start going through the roof. People are going to see that and think if they have a 10 to sell it's worth just less than a grand......

To me 500 is about normal for a really decent 10. I mean a real good one.

I agree on both your points, ABPOS. I've been looking for a good Model 10 snub nose with round butt to add to my vintage S&W revolver collection.

I did bid on the OP's subject Model 10 revolver. The "MPDC" marking didn't affect me one way or the other. My last bid, $510, was immediately topped. At that point I bowed out of the bidding. I was surprised it went as high as $905.

God bless,
Birdgun

RMFnLA · Jan 24, 2019

swagmeister said:
It must have sat in a drawer for most of its life to be 95% or better. Most police trade ins are pretty well beat up cosmetically but in good shape mechanically. I think $905 was way too high, even if it was a 2 incher. A few years ago my son bought a Boston PD 4" blue model 10 from a local gun store for $400.00. It had a lot of wear but was tight as a drum and very accurate.

Agreed.

I have a Boston PD Model 64 and it has scratches almost everywhere but mechanically is as tight as new.

Of course, being SS means the scratches can be polished out but oddly enough I'm OK with them for now.

Interesting that LEO surplus are going up in value. Probably because they are not making them any more and the newer ones turn so many people off (me included).

gfors · Jan 25, 2019

ABPOS said:
Grrrrrr..... I gotta buy a 10 before they start going through the roof. People are going to see that and think if they have a 10 to sell it's worth just less than a grand......

To me 500 is about normal for a really decent 10. I mean a real good one.

Hang in there, ABPOS! M10's are still plentiful and reasonably priced. Check on-line stores and auctions. I wouldn't pay more than $450, for a nice example, unless you're looking for ANIB. Solid shooters are out there for around 3 Bens. You could try WTB ad here.

Art Doc · Jan 25, 2019

No expert but from my observation I think the PD markings are a push. Some guys find them interesting and want them (count me in) and some buyers are turned off. The exceptions would be the more desirable agencies like DC police Detroit PD (for some reason) CHP and others.

mm93 · Jan 25, 2019

I'd agree with Absalom that the better the markings were done, the higher the value it will get from collectors. Poorly stamped versions will be looked at with less interest than the professionally marked police guns.

two-bit cowboy · Jan 25, 2019

I have two police-marked S&Ws -- both are Chiefs from before there were model numbers, and clearly, condition was not a factor.

One was given to a Queens, NYC, lieutenant by his "Men" on Christmas Eve (not a PD-marked gun in this thread's true context), and I would have bought the 3" Baby Chiefs with or without the inscription.

I traded a Model 15 marked "W.L.E.A." (Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy) for the other one, which has the Pennsylvania Railroad logo, just like the logo on the card in that famous real estate board game... I always strive to own the four railroads when I play.

Here's how OCD works: now I must find the B&O and Reading RR-marked Chiefs (yeah, good luck with that!), and I'd likely pay too much for either one.

The game's Short Line RR wasn't named for a real railroad, but rather it's a generic term that represents the many short-line railroads in the U.S.A. Adrian Monk would work himself into a tizzy at this revelation! I'm trying to let it go.

Mrnurse · Jan 19, 2020

I have a DCMP Rem 700 BDL in .308 that was their sniper rifle in the 1960/70's.

Chop · Jan 19, 2020

I have a Model 10-8 marked ‘Georgia Parole Board’

JSticks · Jan 20, 2020

I also prefer the Agency marked handguns. If the marking is factory stamped. Recently I posted a 5" nickel Model 10 marked "Wayne County" with an inventory number. Here it is again:

The stocks are numbered to the frame. I don't think it was used much at all.

It's tight and my only complaint is that the carry up is a little slow,like the ratchets were "over filed".

But, what surprises me is that the vendor has been trying to sell these since last summer at $289.00 and still has them is stock.

At any rate, I agree with those comments that knowing the history of these old Model 10's adds to the provenance and to me the interest. But, I don't know that it adds a lot to the resale value.

serger · Jan 20, 2020

Kings is gradually peddling these. I should have gotten a couple and also the Colts they were selling.

Police marked Model 10's

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