1076 Smith & Wesson FBI x 2 Letter

[Gamer]

I purchased a 1076 a while back from an auction site and did so armed with knowledge about the model learned here. Specifically, I was intrigued by the FBI guns and their specific features compared to commercial models. Turns out my hunch about this gun was right and confirmed by letter from Mr. Jinks. I was over the moon reading it for the first time and still am. Thank you to our members for sharing your knowledge. Thought I would post my letter to hopefully add to the data for the future.

I saw several FBI lettered 1076 Guns posted in the threads but never saw one that went to the FBI twice. I assume it went back to an agent who requested it? Or was it purchased by someone? Anyone have an idea why it went back a second time after going to S&W?

Shipped 10/11/91 to FBI
Returned to S&W 06/01/92
Reconditioned and returned to FBI again 02/22/94

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[murphydog]

I believe this was a common situation, to correct mechanical issues with the original guns but before they were no longer issued. Unless Louis Freeh carried it I doubt personal agent preference had anything to do with the trip back to the factory.

 

[banger]

I can tell you this.

When the F.B.I. found that the pistols did not meet their needs, and specifications.

The contract was cancelled. pistols that had been issued or maintained in inventory awaiting issue, were withdrawn from service and returned to Smith and Wesson.

There for, the pistols did not have to be paid for.

Basically, the pistols were not "surplused".... they were refused.

That is why people have the opportunity to buy them.

The F.B.I. did not consider them "theirs".

Thus allowing Smith and Wesson to sell them through normal retail channels.

It seems likely that the pistol in question was sent back to S&W in an attempt to correct a deficiency that would have resulted in the cancellation of the contract.

 

[NavyEngineer]

Gamer, your letter is pretty cool. Here's the verbiage on mine for comparison "We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 1076 Stainless Steel Full Size, Double Action, Frame Mounted Decocking Lever, FBI Contract Pistol, caliber 10mm, in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number THB9xxx, was last shipped from our factory on June 25, 1993 and was delivered to Individual FBI Officer as a pre-paid sale. The records indicate that this pistol was shipped with a 4.25 inch barrel, satin finish, and wrap around black plastic grips as a used handgun. This firearm was originally shipped on November 13, 1990
delivered to Federal Bureau of Investigation, Attention Firearms Unit, Quantico, it was returned to Smith & Wesson on June 3, 1992, reconditioned and shipped as listed above."

 

[Gamer]

Navy Engineer, great info. Noticed the return dates are similar on both these examples. Awesome that yours was listed as prepaid sale to an officer.

I read in previous threads on the 1076 officers could buy these for around $300 and another post where some were carried much later than thought. I assumed mine was purchased or carried because the document trail ended in VA.

 

[NavyEngineer]

Navy Engineer, great info. Noticed the return dates are similar on both these examples. Awesome that yours was listed as prepaid sale to an officer.

I read in previous threads on the 1076 officers could buy these for around $300 and another post where some were carried much later than thought. I assumed mine was purchased or carried because the document trail ended in VA.

Although of course my letter doesn't mention it, I am fortunate to know which FBI agent bought my 1076, courtesy of a kind forum member here. Yours is a great find!

 

[S&W Fan]

Very very cool, congrats! That's interesting it sat around for 17 months at S&W!