20's-30's Sheriff in a Western Mining Town. What's He Carrying?

[M1Lover]

I'm in an old West Arizona mining town. The town is doing a ghost walk, reenactment of several murders that occurred in the 20's and 30's. Due to my "majestic" mustache (not my words) I have been appointed sheriff of the said western town for the events October 9th and 10th. The costume is easy, tan slacks, Tony Llama's, white shirt, vest and my Resistol Texas DPS (think LBJ) hat. Now, wizened Gents, the town issues 38 cal blanks for the event. I know, scary, but while I have a speaking part, I don't have a "shooting" part. Apparently there was a notorious deputy in the era who did all the shooting in town...I would, however like to be wearing the appropriate law enforcement sidearm of the era. I thought about buying a replica piece, but what the hell good is that?
If YOU had this part, the 20's-30's Western Sheriff, what revolver would you be carrying? Holster? Any help would be appreciated. Looking for .357-.38 for future "shooting" parts in other productions.
Thanks Gents! I appreciate your input.

 

[jmace57]

To be honest, it is as likely as not as to be a Colt SAA. Perhaps a Colt Army Special? As far as a S&W goes, an M&P?

 

[M1Lover]

To be honest, it is as likely as not as to be a Colt SAA. Perhaps a Colt Army Special? As far as a S&W goes, an M&P?

Yeah, thought about the Colt SAA, but prefer S&W's anyway. THANKS for the reply. H.

 

[BAM-BAM]

If you wanted a Colt a New Service ...... .45

Smith.......a 1917 but that's also a .45.......

Smith & Wesson; a M&P made 1899 to third change (?).......... in .38 special (could fake it with any M&P with a half round front sight)

Maybe a 38/44HD a .38 on an N-frame..... early 30s (could fake it with a 27 or 28)

Late 30s..... ah what the heck........ Registered Magnum.... 357magnum ... out west....... a 5 or 6 inch

 

[italiansport]

Keep in mind that pistols were often used to subdue someone without shooting them. I'd want something with a little heft to it to use as a "persuader" and I'd go for a Colt New Service or other large frame revolver!
Jim

 

[poordevil]

Although not a Yuma native, I remember hearing or reading that a Yuma law man in 1927 or so foiled a bank robbery using his Colt SAA. The law man was in his late 60's or 70's to boot!

There is also the S&W .44 Triple lock......in nickel with pearl or ivory stear head and ruby grips!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

1940 Mogollon, NM deputy.

 

[DWalt]

Western lawmen in the 20th century carried a wide variety of revolvers in different calibers, and some carried a Colt Model 1911 .45 Automatic. In .38 Special, the two most likely revolvers for that period would have been a S&W Military & Police Model (which later became the Model 10) or a Colt Army Special Model (which became the Colt Official Police in 1927).

 

[handejector]

Interesting that no one has mentioned the 44-3rd.....

 

[Absalom]

As for barrel length, lawmen in the Western states seem to have preferred longer barrels.

Looking at my limited collection of confirmed or strongly suspected LEO revolvers, there's a 5-inch 1920s M&P out of Nevada, a 6-inch 1940s M&P out of California, but all the 4-inch Colts and S&W's of the general period are from New York, Pennsylvania or thereabouts.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

1940 Mogollon, NM deputy.

What a great photo, Pilgrim, thanks! Do any of you car guys know what make/model that is behind him?

Hank M.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

What a great photo, Pilgrim, thanks! Do any of you car guys know what make/model that is behind him?

Hank M.

Here's a different shot, same guys.
Appears to be a Chevrolet Pickup.

 

[F75gunslinger]

I would have to say that either a Military and Police or a Colt Single Action Army would be the preferred. A 3rd Model might also be a consideration, but one thing to keep in mind, especially in a mining town, a Sheriff would want something that he could get ammo for without having to go to great lengths. If in another town the gun would be worthless if he couldn't find ammo. Also, from a mining town perspective, a 1911 would have to be shipped out for tuning etc., as most in that day and age didn't have experience with them.

 

[kframeman]

At that time & place I would think Colt's SAA, but...38 spl. S&W 6' M&P would be my choice if you prefer .38 spl. or maybe a .38/44 HD.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Why, I would think the grateful citizens would gift him a Registered Magnum!

But if the 1920's were included, perhaps a .44 Hand Ejector, either a Triple Lock or one of the later models.

Or maybe a fixed sight .38/44 HD.

 

[Absalom]

....... Also, from a mining town perspective, a 1911 would have to be shipped out for tuning etc., as most in that day and age didn't have experience with them.

I think before about the 1970s, "tuning" a 1911 is not something that would have occurred to a lot of people...

 

[opoefc]

Having grown up in the 30s in Arizona mining towns, ( Tombstone, Jerome, Tucson, etc. ), my recollection is that any serious law man carried a Colt SAA in 44-40 or 45 cal.,or a S&W .44 HE(1st, 2nd, or 3rd model) and a Winchester Model 92 in 44-40 and a shotgun. You did see town cops with.38s ( Look at the photos of the Tucson cops that captured Dillinger in 1934 ) but your usual adversary would also be armed with a Colt SAA, or Mexican copy. Every store or trading post carried 44 and 45 ammo. Ed.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Might not be an 1892 in 44-40. Might be something more substantial.

Like Private Bill Foster of the Arizona Rangers with his Winchester 1895 Carbine in .30 Army (.30-40 Krag).

 

[lamarw]

Could very well of been a Colt Police Positive, I just scored one yesterday which was circa. 1921. It is a little more than a Police Positive since it is a Police Positive Special in .38 Special. (Bottom revolver in the attachment) They were supposedly the most popular since they were lighter than most other revolvers at the time.

The upper revolver in the attached picture is a nickel Colt Official Police in .38 Special delivered in 1941.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Could very well of been a Colt Police Positive

You just beat me to it! I was thinking that if you're supposed to be carrying a .38 caliber revolver then a Colt PP or a PPS would be available to you in the 1930s as a state of the art revolver.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/member...icture13656-colt-police-positive-special.html

Handejector is on target, too:

Interesting that no one has mentioned the 44-3rd.....

And, again, if you're requiring a .38 caliber revolver a big .38-44 Heavy Duty made in 1931 or 1932 would be exactly in line with a gun likely to be carried by an Arizona lawman, just like this one:

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: S&W Revolvers - Picture