I believe our colleague was suggesting the original number was re-inscribed.
$350 Fair Price Pre Model 10?
- Thread starter kbm6893
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
So is my impression correct and the backstrap does have a lot of post-factory vertical striations indication polishing?
Of course this is nothing but random speculation. But if it is a shield number, there's got to be an explanation. Maybe someone who'd bought the gun in the academy discovered it wasn't for him and quit a month into the job
. That'd be the most likely person try to recoup his money for the gun. And it would be relatively close in time. The Equipment Bureau probably didn't take guns back once a shield number had been stamped.But if the gun shipped with the others with so close a shield number, and the shield number indicates when it was issued, I guess the original officer would have had to quit and the gun be issued very soon. As he said, NYPD cops buy their own guns, so even it a cop quit, the gun went with him. I guess he could have sold it to another recruit.
Then again, knowing what I know about how that department was run, particularly the equipment section that used to purchase the guns and then sell them to the officer, it could have been somebody misplaced the punch used to mark the weapons and then just made do.
Never got a letter before but I think this may be my first. I'm curious now. It doesn't HAVE to be an NYPD cop gun, but it would be cool if it found its way to Pennsylvania 74 years later and ended up in another NY cop's hands.
Just checked the grips. They do number to the gun. Not in a way I've ever seen them stamped. Rather than 846515 all in a row, it's stamped 846 over the 515.
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
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I'm not sure when they went to the two line serials on the stocks. I have several of them from 1946-48, nothing fixed sights from 1949. but at least two targets from that year. In '46 they were definitely on one line.
Also I have two from 1952, and one from 1951. I'd have to pull some from the safe to see if I can figure out the break point. When I get time, I'll do that. But I cannot help you from memory. Sorry.
Also I have two from 1952, and one from 1951. I'd have to pull some from the safe to see if I can figure out the break point. When I get time, I'll do that. But I cannot help you from memory. Sorry.
I stumbled onto this older thread and figured I'd update it. I had the gun lettered and it did ship to the NYPD on 10/11/46. RM Vivas was kind enough to research the gun and the shield number on the back was correct. Don't know why the style is different but the Equipment Section records show the gun was sold to the officer with that shield number.
Vivas included newspaper articles written about the officer who had that gun. He used this gun in a shootout with 4 gunmen in 1950 and was awarded the Medal for Valor. He was even assigned to my old precinct. This $350 old .38 has become my most valuable firearm. Very glad I snapped it up. I couldn't find any more info on the officer, other than he died in 1991 in Florida. The latest he could have stayed on the job was 1982, and it is a rare bird who stays until they force him out, I wonder how this gun found its way to a gun shop in NE PA? I doubt he took the gun with him to Florida and it found it's way back to the NE. I guess he could have given it to a child who stayed here and eventually sold it, but the obituary doesn't mention a wife or children.
Vivas included newspaper articles written about the officer who had that gun. He used this gun in a shootout with 4 gunmen in 1950 and was awarded the Medal for Valor. He was even assigned to my old precinct. This $350 old .38 has become my most valuable firearm. Very glad I snapped it up. I couldn't find any more info on the officer, other than he died in 1991 in Florida. The latest he could have stayed on the job was 1982, and it is a rare bird who stays until they force him out, I wonder how this gun found its way to a gun shop in NE PA? I doubt he took the gun with him to Florida and it found it's way back to the NE. I guess he could have given it to a child who stayed here and eventually sold it, but the obituary doesn't mention a wife or children.
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sometimes I'm amazed at how things work out...glad it went to someone who loves it....not many have a story like that
Major 2
Member
I enjoy the current stewardship of a few pieces with provenance.
Congratulations, the fun of research and discovery is as much or more than having the gun itself.
Congratulations, the fun of research and discovery is as much or more than having the gun itself.
DGNY
Member
Thank you for this update about your very interesting revolver. Indeed, this forum is a treasure trove of knowledge and collegiality.
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