1936 38 M&P Missouri Highway Patrol arrived

[Mbrgr1]

Service revolver that shows good use, I'm assuming it is the MO state highway patrol, but word on the street is it shipped to a distributor in Cleveland OH that did supply guns to police departments.

Interesting to me that the ID is also stamped on the grip frame.

(I tossed the Sambar grips on, it had mismatched magnas on it)

Historically,


The 56th Missouri General Assembly created the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1931. Governor Henry S. Caulfield signed Senate Bill 36 into law on April 24, 1931. This new Highway Patrol's authorized strength was set at 125 uniformed officers.


These fellers look serious! The officer on the left has got one long holster, I wonder what he was packin?

 

[JP@AK]

Just for the fun of it, here's another MSHP revolver from 16 years later. It shipped in October, 1952. Obviously the MSHP still liked 5" barrels. S&W made 365 of these 5" Combat Masterpieces for the department on special order.

 

[Mbrgr1]

A better pic of a period gun & holster, this is Trooper L. H. Rumans, from the MSHP facebook page.

 

[Malysh]

Judging from your last picture, it
seems some of the officers carried Colt Official Police revolvers instead of S&Ws.

 

[quinn]

To my feeble brain there is nothing better than seeing these guns in context? Thanks.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Woohoo!

I knew I had the correct grips around here somewhere, they are un-numbered for some reason, so now they have a new home.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Just for the fun of it, here's another MSHP revolver from 16 years later. It shipped in October, 1952.

Did they still mark them on the frame? I'm assuming the records show where they went.

Thanks

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I think those outstanding stags were destined to end up on this gun. I would be torn trying to figure which to put on it.

 

[Mbrgr1]

I think those outstanding stags were destined to end up on this gun. I would be torn trying to figure which to put on it.

I agree, they have moved from gun to gun, but just finding the silver medallion HE grips in the pile was very satisfying, I'll change my mind ..... or lose it.

 

[James K]

Grew up in MO. The HP back then were dead serious police with no sense of humor- all business, no warnings. Yes Sir, No Sir.
We always thought there must have been a height requirement because I never saw one officer under 6'2" and their hats made them look 6'6".

 

[JP@AK]

Did they still mark them on the frame?

No. In fact, they did not carry department marks at all.

I'm assuming the records show where they went.

Yes. I have complete records of this revolver from the time it left the factory until it was sold to the trooper who carried it, including the department's maintenance records. The trooper was allowed to purchase it from the department when he retired. I bought it from his son after the father passed away.

 

[Mbrgr1]

No. In fact, they did not carry department marks at all.


Yes. I have complete records of this revolver from the time it left the factory until it was sold to the trooper who carried it, including the department's maintenance records. The trooper was allowed to purchase it from the department when he retired. I bought it from his son after the father passed away.

Very cool! Thanks


It reminds me that ALL of us here are just caretakers of these wonderful items and their history until the next person takes over, I hope they exist!