I just picked up a blued 6" model 19-4 that is nib, it is a 200 year City of Los Angeles commerative 1781-1981. It has a LAPD shield on the right side of frame with "City of Los Angeles 200th anniversary 1781-1981" on the right side of the barrel. It came with a wooden presentation box. Does anyone have an idea as to the value and how many were made?
City of Los Angeles S&W model 19
- Thread starter fourb20
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I can look at the catalog later unless someone beats me to it. The value is usually the value of a standard gun or a little less, depending on the adornment. These commemoratives don't usually carry a premium, and some people aren't even interested in them as shooters. I have a commemorative 66 I bought as a shooter because on GB people didn't bid it up as high as a normal 66.
There were limited to 1981 units, though how many were made is not known, made in 1981 sold for 350$ to LAPD LEO. I have seen them sell for 700. Some one has one on GB for 1K + reserve, I predict it will be there a long, long time. The catalog list 400 for NIB, reality would be somewhere around 6-700. At the same time if your family tree consist of 3-4 generations of LAPD maybe 700$ would be fine for you. I have passed on many because they are 6", would be difficult to resell, they are commemorative's not duty guns. If you bought it as a shooter- enjoy, as an investment--if you paid 300 good job, if you paid 1000, good luck. Be Safe,
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So what'd you give for it?
Twiki357
Member
Sounds like the one on GunBroker that I was looking at a few weeks ago. I didn't try for it because of the 6" barrel. Don't know what it sold for.
r3captain
Member
I know a retired LAPD Officer who has one that I'll probably purchase for $650. It's perfect all the way around with case, key and medallion. Also has the attached original purchase order. Although the P/O claims production of 4,000, it's my understanding that there were much fewer than 2,000 actually produced. Recently there's been several closed G/B auctions in the $800+ range.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=468465597
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=468465597
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OP
Thanks all for the info, it appears I paid a little more than I should have but I'm happy with a 19 in this shape.
r3captain
Member
Good news is that back in this time frame probably 90% of police officers were revolver guys. The bottom of the P/O states that if the buyer was not satisfied he could request another. I would think that there was some serious scrutinizing going on in that office on pick up day! The action and timing are A1 on the one I'm looking at.
FourB20, Those show up for sale pretty often around LAPD. 700-900 depending,on who is selling it, I never see/ hear of them selling. A couple years ago Turners in Reseda had 2 for 500 each. I quess they sold.
Unlike the LAPD model 68's that go real fast.
If you try to buy a 6" 19 here in CA even beat up ones get gobbled up for 6-8 hundred,so these are really nice guns just fancier, for the same price. Bob
Unlike the LAPD model 68's that go real fast.
If you try to buy a 6" 19 here in CA even beat up ones get gobbled up for 6-8 hundred,so these are really nice guns just fancier, for the same price. Bob
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OP
Thanks again for the info, I started my leo career with a 6" model 27 but quickly went to a 4" 19 then on to a 4" 66 and eventually to a you know what. This one is a beauty.
r3captain
Member
bigl1911
Member
I have two and they are my favorite shooters out of all my Smiths… you did good!!
r3captain
Member
Sure it was just so that S&W could sell more revolver's and for officer's to have an excuse to buy another. If you look in the SCSW you'll see there was a plethora of commemorative 19-3 and 4's made for many department's, including some pretty obscure ones.
Passed one up at a show 3 years ago: LNIB, blue, 6" bbl IIRC. $700-ish. Not a fan of 6" 'telephone poles' and already had two 4" 66 commemoratives. If I wanted a 6" bbl, I'd prefer three 2" snubs.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I have what is probably the same gun but it has the California Highway Patrol emblem on it. It was made in 1979 and came in a wooden box. I valued this gun at $500 about 3 years ago. The gun has been shot by previous owner(s) and us, but looks brand new.
