City of Los Angeles S&W model 19

[fourb20]

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?

 

[Goblin]

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.

 

[vipermd]

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,

 

[CajunBass]

So what'd you give for it?

 

[Twiki357]

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]

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

 

[fourb20]

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]

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.

 

[CALREB]

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

 

[fourb20]

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]

I'd have bought the 6" LAPD 19 already, but already have this one from 1967.

 

[solomon]

Necro thread but I just saw one of these for $850 at my LGS - walked away at that price.

 

[gboling]

1981 of those were commissioned and paid for in advance of production. It is not known how many .more, if any, S&W actually made but the agreement with them was that only 1981 would be sold.

 

[Checkman]

FWIW I really like the 6" Model 19. I own a 19-3/6" and I'm very pleased with it. Paid $475.00 two years ago. Fine looking revolver. Congratulations.

 

[bigl1911]

I have two and they are my favorite shooters out of all my Smiths… you did good!!

 

[jpage]

Wonder why the M19 was chosen for the commemorative if the LAPD never offically used them ?

 

[r3captain]

Wonder why the M19 was chosen for the commemorative if the LAPD never offically used them ?

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.

 

[kaaskop49]

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

 

[wingspar]

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.