586 commemorative question

[sig.natures]

I recently acquired two Arkansas State Police 50th Anniversary 6" 586 (no dash) cased revolvers. The anniversary year markings are 1935 - 1985 so I would assume 1985ish manufacture dates. Serial numbers AFV 55xx and 59xx. Interestingly, both are marked 1 of 425 on the left side panel in the exact same places and the exact markings. The barrels are factory roll marked with the commorative markings and the right side panel has an AR badge representation similar to what is seen on other commemoratives. The barrel and side panel markings are "gold" filled. Both guns are unfired in 99%+ condition. Does anyone know if the "first" guns of a run are duplicated for some reason? They are genuine S&W revolvers and with the roll marks on the barrel so clean and prominant they have to be factory done. And any idea of the value of these oddities? BTW, I have an email in to S&W over the abnormality but probably won't get an answer unless I file the forms and pay the $50 bucks.

 

[rck281]

The 1 of 425 doesn't mean that your gun is the "first". It just means that it is 1 gun of 425 manufactured. It could be the first, the 225th or the 425th. You have a 1 in 425 chance it is the first.

 

[sig.natures]

Arkansas commemorative

Thanks Dick. That makes sense. The are both beautiful guns. Any idea what they might be worth?

 

[diamonback68]

On the whole commemoratives usually bring almost the same or less money than standard models unless you can find somebody from that particular State or LEO from there that would like to have one.

 

[kennyb]

yep...agree with dick...roughly the same (sometimes less) than a standard 586...beautiful gun however...

 

[redbos]

I agree too, I have found a few BPD Stamped( Boston Police Guns) guns that I have bought over the years, a few like new. Means more to me cause I grew up 5 miles from Boston, probably does not mean much to others though!

 

[cptdco]

I'd be interested in seeing a picture of the gun if you get a chance...I have a modest collectioin of L frame no-dash guns and don't recall seeing one from the Arkansas State Police. Thanks in advance. The Standard Catalog lists about 15 different commemerative 568 models, but not one for Arkansas. I checkecd the AFV serial numbers in the book and 1884 -1965 is about right, although its stated that the numbers can be out of sequence, especially for special or limited production runs.
Dennis