457D Question??

[CHARLIE699]

I've read several threads on the 457 S&W. My question is primarily on the 457D.
Though there is not any information on the "D" model in the 4th Edition, the threads seem to say that the "D" model was made at the request of Chicago P.D. as an off-duty weapon.
Has anyone actually gotten a factory letter on a 457D??
If so, did it indicate this Chicago P.D. connection? or state how many were manufactured?

 

[SmithNut]

Well, I owned this M457D in the past (wish I still had it ) and purchased it from a Chicago Policeman. There are a handful of Chicago PD members here and they can advise if they were issued or not.

Enjoy.............

 

[KurtC]

Every 457D that I have seen advertised over the years, has been from a shop in Illinois, so the Chicago PD analogy makes sense.

 

[GaryS]

My recollection is that they were authorized for purchase for off duty and detective use.

Also, there were two versions. The first version was similar to the 3914DAO as it was made DAO by filing off the first notch (single action notch) on the standard hammer. The second version was the "real" DAO because it had the curved back hammer and was "pre staged" to make the trigger pull shorter.

There was one of those for sale here 4-5 years ago, but I was in no position to buy it. I did download the pictures for my future reference.

 

[Florida_Bob]

That is my understanding too. That it wasn't an issue weapon but available to Chicago police to purchase. I picked one up at an auction a few months ago. Really neat pistol. Maybe I'll try to get a letter for it.

 

[ACEd]

My recollection is that they were authorized for purchase for off duty and detective use.

Also, there were two versions. The first version was similar to the 3914DAO as it was made DAO by filing off the first notch (single action notch) on the standard hammer. The second version was the "real" DAO because it had the curved back hammer and was "pre staged" to make the trigger pull shorter.

There was one of those for sale here 4-5 years ago, but I was in no position to buy it. I did download the pictures for my future reference.

My understanding (mostly from previous posts here) was there were 2 variations of 457D made for off duty Chicago PD. The first was for evaluation and the second was the production version. Discussion indicated these were DAO with Double Strike Capability like the 3914DAO for NYPD.

But I have a 457D s/n VJB02xx Product Code 108179 dated by SW as 6/1997 production which does not have Double Strike capability - possibly one of the eval units or possibly a 3rd variation - can anyone clarify?

 

[GaryS]

If it has the "humped" hammer, than it is a regular style DAO like the 4553/3953 and the others. I would not expect double strike capability.

I might have it backwards as my recollection is that the ones like the 3914DAO were the evaluation units.

My understanding (mostly from previous posts here) was there were 2 variations of 457D made for off duty Chicago PD. The first was for evaluation and the second was the production version. Discussion indicated these were DAO with Double Strike Capability like the 3914DAO for NYPD.

But I have a 457D s/n VJB02xx Product Code 108179 dated by SW as 6/1997 production which does not have Double Strike capability - possibly one of the eval units or possibly a 3rd variation - can anyone clarify?