Couple former Californians, Models 67 and 68

[Professor Frink]

I have been wanting to share these for awhile now, but time didn't permit.

I have a great affection for police marked and used firearms, particularly from my former home State. I had been on the hunt for these for many years but when I was lucky, I was quite lucky. None of these cost me too much (high $200s to low $300s) with the exception of the LAPD marked 68, that cost me.

The dates of manufacture are as follows:

1975 - OHB overstamped Mdl 67
1977 - CHP marked Mdl 67
1977 - CHP Marked 68
1985 - LAPD marked Mdl 68

They all show wear and appear to have been used and carried, but all are in very good working order. The LAPD marked 68 has been nutered and is only capable of DAO operation.

Hopefully it is of interest.

 

[tekarra]

Very nice.

 

[zogger]

Nice group!

 

[MCorps0311]

Those S&W's look great to be used.

 

[D Brown]

I have been wanting to share these for awhile now, but time didn't permit.

I have a great affection for police marked and used firearms, particularly from my former home State. I had been on the hunt for these for many years but when I was lucky, I was quite lucky. None of these cost me too much (high $200s to low $300s) with the exception of the LAPD marked 68, that cost me.

The dates of manufacture are as follows:

1975 - OHB overstamped Mdl 67
1977 - CHP marked Mdl 67
1977 - CHP Marked 68
1985 - LAPD marked Mdl 68

They all show wear and appear to have been used and carried, but all are in very good working order. The LAPD marked 68 has been nutered and is only capable of DAO operation.

Hopefully it is of interest.

Please forgive my ignorance. Could you explain the difference between a Model 68 and a Model 66? Believe it or not, this the first reference I've ever encountered for the Model 68.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

[charlie sherrill]

If I'm wrong somebody tell me. I think basically the 66 and 68 are the same revolver except the 68 is chambered to accept .38 Special only.

 

[BUFF]

Charlie is correct. The Model 68 is, basically, a Model 66 with a cylinder that is shorter than that used by the .357 Magnum Model 66. Same cylinder as the Model 67. The barrel is slightly different, it has a longer shank (rear) as it has to reach further into the cylinder window or cut-out to reach the face of the shorter .38 Special cylinder.

Somebody really didn't want their officers carrying .357 Magnum ammo!

 

[D Brown]

Thank you Charlie and Buff for adding to my S&W education! So much appreciated!

 

[smokycity]

Thank you Charlie and Buff for adding to my S&W education! So much appreciated!

Ditto. I really like the LAPD marking on the barrel. How and where did you find that one? That would be a neat addition to go with my Model-14 and Model-15 that I refer to as my "Adam-12" guns.


ETA: There's one on Gunbroker right now, with a buy it now price of $2000.00; ouch.

 

[OIF2]

I shoot mine a couple of times a week.
Bob

 

[BUFF]

They're wherever they turn up. I bought my ex-CHP Model 68 from the old ShotGun News classifieds. It's a 68-2 with CHP overstamped OHB.

 

[bananaman]

Nice guns, and cool pictures! Thanks for sharing! Bob

 

[Professor Frink]

I remember when those OHB overstamps hit Shotgun News. At the time I think I was too young to even consider it and I thought it was lame that they were .38 special. My tastes have certainly changed.

The LAPD one cost me $700 about six years ago in a little shop in Orange County, California. Oddly, the others were found since I moved to Colorado.

I will try to take pictures later, but within the yoke, the LAPD one marked as a Model 66, over stamped with the "8" making it a model 68. The CHP is a straight Model 68. Not over stamped.

 

[OIF2]

I remember when those OHB overstamps hit Shotgun News. At the time I think I was too young to even consider it and I thought it was lame that they were .38 special. My tastes have certainly changed.

The LAPD one cost me $700 about six years ago in a little shop in Orange County, California. Oddly, the others were found since I moved to Colorado.

I will try to take pictures later, but within the yoke, the LAPD one marked as a Model 66, over stamped with the "8" making it a model 68. The CHP is a straight Model 68. Not over stamped.

My LAPD 68 (purchased at the LAPD Academy Revolver Club) is also over-stamped with an "8". Looks like they used available 66 frames for assembly.
Bob