.44 HE 2nd Model - Washington State Patrol #53531

[CptCurl]

It seems to be raining .44s lately. This old trooper came into my hands yesterday. Today I had the time to snap a few photos.

It's all matching, including the pre-WW2 Magnas.

This group with Magna grips, ordered by the Washington State Patrol, is mentioned under the "Variations" of the 2nd Model in SCSW 4th.

It is absolutely smooth as silk, with mint chambers and mint bore. I think I have found a friend.

Curl

 

[robertrwalsh]

Seriously massive way cool. Congrats.

 

[delcrossv]

You, Sir, seem to be on a roll.

 

[CptCurl]

You, Sir, seem to be on a roll.

Actually, this one was bought by accident. I was quite surprised, but now pleased.

Curl

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Nice Gun!
And I love those Grips!

 

[Art Doc]

Neat. Like the ring.

 

[Buford57]

Actually, this one was bought by accident. I was quite surprised, but now pleased.

Curl

My accidents rarely turn out that well.

 

[CptCurl]

I know the feeling.

Curl

 

[Nightowl]

That one is a long way from home! Great acquisition!!

 

[Suburbanite]

Cpt Curl

If you ever think that .44 needs to be repatriated please let me know.

 

[beagleye]

Please explain how you bought it by accident.

 

[CptCurl]

Put in a low bid I didn't think would fly.

Curl

 

[Kinman]

Quite a few of us Washington folks would like to get our hands on one of those babies, especially with the un-wiped Washington State Patrol marking. Last one I saw for sale was wiped, that ruins it for me. I heard or read that it could have been done before they were cut loose, how would that explain those that still have the marking, were they allowed to keep their firearms? If the factory removed it and did a renovation that might help, but otherwise I like them left alone.

 

[CptCurl]

This one doesn't appear to have any markings wiped off. It is not marked for the Washington State Patrol, but it doesn't appear to be ground or polished. There are no irregularities on the back strap at all. But who knows? Maybe somebody did quite a good job at wiping.

I am confident it never had a WSP rollmark on its backstrap. Here are a couple of shots of its backstrap now:

You can click these for large blow-ups.

This one has the name of a former owner written on the inside of the grip panels. "W.E. Campbell/Vancouver". Kind of a neat piece of the past.

Would this marking be consistent with use by the Washington State Patrol? Isn't Vancouver in B.C.? Perhaps he retired with his service revolver and then marked it.

Curl

 

[Muley Gil]

There is a Vancouver, Washington as well.

Washington State Patrol - Vancouver, Washington

BTW, I did a Yahoo search on the WSP and got a bunch of pictures of WSP troopers wearing a dress uniform that included a bow tie. I'm glad none of the departments I worked for used a bow tie!!!

 

[Kinman]

W.S.P. wear the bow tie only with long sleeves, it is considered the "dress uniform", they can also wear a "dickey" which is like an ascot. It reminds me of wearing Khakis in the army, no tie with Khakis but we had to wear a white t-shirt which took away completely from trying to beat the heat. I remember it was much more comfortable in the heat to wear my greens and take the jacket off immediately inside, some seniors would let a guy slide by loosening the top button and pulling the tie a little slacker but I do remember pulling my tie tight before going in to see the old man.

 

[Kinman]

This one doesn't appear to have any markings wiped off. It is not marked for the Washington State Patrol, but it doesn't appear to be ground or polished. There are no irregularities on the back strap at all. But who knows? Maybe somebody did quite a good job at wiping.

This one has the name of a former owner written on the inside of the grip panels. "W.E. Campbell/Vancouver". Kind of a neat piece of the past.

Would this marking be consistent with use by the Washington State Patrol? Isn't Vancouver in B.C.? Perhaps he retired with his service revolver and then marked it.

Curl

We get that a lot, there is a Vancouver, WA. it is across the Columbia River from Portland. I did not know that retiring officers were allowed to keep their issue firearms.

 

[CptCurl]

Does anybody know the number of 2nd Model .44 HE revolvers bought by the Washington State Patrol?

Curl

 

[AKtinman]

The Washington State Patrol used 3rd Model .44 Specials after WWII. A forum search will turn up lots of interesting information on those guns and associated info for WSP.

I think I remember reading that when WSP got rid of their 3rd Models, Troopers were allowed to purchase their guns and those guns retained the WSP marking on the backstrap. Those to be sold to the "public" had the WSP marking removed.

That's a really nice 2nd Model, CptCurl, congratulations!