Picked up my first Model 65 today; 4 inch, square butt, P&R, grips are serialed to the gun. It's marked "C.P.D." on the left side under the cylinder. I've only found one other reference to a gun marked this way that indicates it was a Cincinnati Police gun. I think it's a 1979ish vintage based on the serial # 1D79XXX. The gun definitley was a duty weapon for a right handed officer. Gun was very dirty, but cleaned up nicely. Anyone else have a police marked revolver? Was it marked by the factory or after by the agency?
C.P.D. Marked Model 65-2
- Thread starter smokycity
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BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Some departments marked their own guns and some had the factory do it when they were manufactured and some didn't mark them at all. Sometimes you can tell from the uniformity and neatness of the stamping; the better it looks, the more likely the factory did it.
I began in law enforcement in 1981 and the department issued guns, Model 15's, had very neat department markings on the left side behind the cylinder, below the thumbpiece, including a rack number. Neatly done. I asked the armorer about the markings and he said he didn't know, the department bought the guns before either of us were hired.
I only have one department marked gun, a Model 68 that belonged to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP stamp, in the same place yours is marked, was overstamped OHB before they were surplused. I don't think mine was ever issued. Some departments overstamp them like that when they sell them, some grind the markings off but most just let them go.
There are a few posters here who collect department issued guns. It's an interesting field and I'm sure some of them will chip in here.
I began in law enforcement in 1981 and the department issued guns, Model 15's, had very neat department markings on the left side behind the cylinder, below the thumbpiece, including a rack number. Neatly done. I asked the armorer about the markings and he said he didn't know, the department bought the guns before either of us were hired.
I only have one department marked gun, a Model 68 that belonged to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP stamp, in the same place yours is marked, was overstamped OHB before they were surplused. I don't think mine was ever issued. Some departments overstamp them like that when they sell them, some grind the markings off but most just let them go.
There are a few posters here who collect department issued guns. It's an interesting field and I'm sure some of them will chip in here.
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OP
I started in civilian LE in 1987. We were issued Model-64's that had no agency markings. When I first picked this one up I thought it was a 64 until I turn it over and saw the .357 stampings on the right side of the barrel. Now I need to find a Model-66 to complete the series from 64 to 67.
I'd like to find one of those Model-68's too. I just read about them for the first time tonight.
I'd like to find one of those Model-68's too. I just read about them for the first time tonight.
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BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
One of my favorite factors about filthy, dirty, blackened stainless steel guns, like your new Model 65 was, is that you can clean them up and they look great, better than a similar blue gun with an equivalent amount of dirt and scratches.
The Model 65 was an excellent choice for a duty revolver in it's day, The apexes of power, portability and reliability all crossed at the Model 65.
My department issued very well worn Model 15's when I was hired in 1981. Mine was K522975. Marked "SL Co So #12." We were also allowed to use personally owned weapons that could shoot the department's .38 Special training and duty ammo. I bought a 6 inch Model 66 and carried it for 10 years. We got to pick our own ammo as long as it was factory made. I usually carried Federal 125 gr. 357 Mags.
Good times.
Stay safe, brother.
The Model 65 was an excellent choice for a duty revolver in it's day, The apexes of power, portability and reliability all crossed at the Model 65.
My department issued very well worn Model 15's when I was hired in 1981. Mine was K522975. Marked "SL Co So #12." We were also allowed to use personally owned weapons that could shoot the department's .38 Special training and duty ammo. I bought a 6 inch Model 66 and carried it for 10 years. We got to pick our own ammo as long as it was factory made. I usually carried Federal 125 gr. 357 Mags.
Good times.
Stay safe, brother.
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OP
After I got out of the Army in early 1987, I put myself through the police academy using my GI Bill educational benefits (I was sponsored by a small agency as a reserve officer). Upon completion of the academy I got picked up by the Sheriff's Office.
I trained with a personally owned 4 inch model-686 while I was in the academy. When I started at the SO they had run out of model-64's and were waiting for a batch of new ones to arrive. I was initially issued and qualified with a very old standard barrel nickled model-10 in the interim. In my youthful exuberance I gladly gave it back when the much beefier looking 64 arrived. I recall the 10 had a butter smooth trigger and looking back at it, I should have kept it.
Then when we transitioned to semi-auto's in the early to mid 1990's we were allowed to purchase out revolvers, which I did. Then I promptly traded it away for something else I wanted. Now that I'm older (retired from LE) and have some more disposable income, I've been going back and buying back all the stuff I traded away over the years, especially the revolvers.
One of things I am thankful for, is that I went to the police academy at a time when revolvers were standard issue and I was taught how to shoot combat revolver. I talk to younger guys at some agencies and they aren't taught revolver or pump shotgun anymore since semi-auto pistols and carbines are the norm now.
I trained with a personally owned 4 inch model-686 while I was in the academy. When I started at the SO they had run out of model-64's and were waiting for a batch of new ones to arrive. I was initially issued and qualified with a very old standard barrel nickled model-10 in the interim. In my youthful exuberance I gladly gave it back when the much beefier looking 64 arrived. I recall the 10 had a butter smooth trigger and looking back at it, I should have kept it.
Then when we transitioned to semi-auto's in the early to mid 1990's we were allowed to purchase out revolvers, which I did. Then I promptly traded it away for something else I wanted. Now that I'm older (retired from LE) and have some more disposable income, I've been going back and buying back all the stuff I traded away over the years, especially the revolvers.
One of things I am thankful for, is that I went to the police academy at a time when revolvers were standard issue and I was taught how to shoot combat revolver. I talk to younger guys at some agencies and they aren't taught revolver or pump shotgun anymore since semi-auto pistols and carbines are the norm now.
I've got a Model 66 and a Model 27, both marked FHP with a rack number. I've also got a Model 15 marked S.C.P.D. I don't know which agency its from, but the possibilities are endless.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I don't have a gun so marked, but I've been collecting picture snips of various markings and noted the provenance when given. The only one I have that sounds like yours was attributed to Columbus, Georgia, PD; see first picture. I also have confirmed Cleveland PD stampings (second and third pics), but they look different, and an unknown.
Factory stampings could be ordered, and would then be listed if you letter the gun, but they were relatively uncommon and are usually earlier-20th-century elaborate backstrap rollmarks. Simple acronyms or inventory numbers were die-stamped much more often by the department armorer.
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OP
The markings look similar to the ones in your first picture. However, there are periods after each letter and there isn't a number after the C.P.D. I picked up on the Cincinnati angle after a Google search turned up a gun for auction that had the same markings and a serial number not too far off in sequence that was identified as belong to that agency. For all I know it could be Clearwater, Crestview, or Chiefland; all cities here in Florida. I was just asking if anyone else had seen such markings and maybe it would add some more to what little info I found. I'll try to post a picture of the markings soon.
Absalom: I don't know where you got that picture of what looks like CPD No. 155, but it caused me to go into my safe and have a look. I have CPD # 153.
**I happened upon my gun photos while working on another project and realized that the photos of the CPD gun are mine. The image is not too clear on the grip stamping, but is in fact #153. I have a copy of the inventory card for this gun, issued to a Cleveland police officer in 1943. I re-found my photo when I was copying other photos into iPhoto.
**I happened upon my gun photos while working on another project and realized that the photos of the CPD gun are mine. The image is not too clear on the grip stamping, but is in fact #153. I have a copy of the inventory card for this gun, issued to a Cleveland police officer in 1943. I re-found my photo when I was copying other photos into iPhoto.
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