Defaced Model 67

[pharos]

I've got a used no-dash model 67, very tight, probably carried a lot, and shot very little. It has the OHB marking on the side indicating it's a used CHP gun. Any suggestions as to how I can get rid of the OHB marking without defacing the gun?

 

[Muley Gil]

You would be better off selling your M67 to someone that collects police handguns and buying another revolver.

 

[91B40]

Police Markings

My wife has a Model 67 that is stamped "PROPERTY OF YOLO COUNTY SHERIFF #120." It's a great shooter, markings notwithstanding. If your OHB were mine, I would forget about the mark and just use it. You cannot have too many Model 67's.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Some of us appreciate the history and authenticity of former LE issue weapons. Such markings may not add any market value (other than a few potential collectors) but certainly do not detract from value to the degree that attempts to remove the markings are likely to do.

I suggest leaving the piece as originally found or selling it and replacing it with one that better suits your preferences.

 

[CH4]

Ahh
I just sold a nice, unmarked 67 today.

 

[stansdds]

If the agency marking bothers you that much, sell/trade it for a Model 67 that has no such markings.

 

[AlHunt]

I've got a used no-dash model 67, very tight, probably carried a lot, and shot very little. It has the OHB marking on the side indicating it's a used CHP gun. Any suggestions as to how I can get rid of the OHB marking without defacing the gun?

Assuming it's on a flat surface, it's just going to be a matter of going after it with very high grit sandpaper, sanding blocks, etc. You'll probably have to go over the whole gun at the end with something like a Scotchbrite pad to make the finish match. Or polish the whole gun.

Bead blasting might be worth a try.

Lastly, if it happens to be on the side plate, maybe just fit another side plate.

 

[moralem]

Defaced is a strong term to use for a LE marked gun……words have meaning.

 

[swagmeister]

Leave it as is. If you are like me, you will probably make it look much worse after trying to remove the marking. Vintage Model 67's (with or without department markings} are getting much harder to find these days. I've had several Smith revolvers over the past many years with department markings on them and I have always thought they were neat having a law enforcement history. Good luck.

 

[LPD256]

Letter the gun. If it says shipped to CHP a Police gun collector will want it. Or save yourself the cost of a letter, take some pictures and advertise it for sale here. It won't last long if you price it fairly. Then buy a nice one with no lettering on it.

 

[Baxter6551]

Leave as is. Mine was an ex duty gun somewhere (rack number 50) then owned by an armored car company. At some point it had a pencil engraved number below the cylinder which my gunsmith was able to remove before bead blasting. Damaged rear sight blade had to be changed. It's a great shooter and easy to carry with proper holster. I wouldn't remove any police markings unless they were horribly done. Many police gun collectors would not remove anything.

 

[JH1951]

I've got a used no-dash model 67, very tight, probably carried a lot, and shot very little. It has the OHB marking on the side indicating it's a used CHP gun. Any suggestions as to how I can get rid of the OHB marking without defacing the gun?

I think if we all saw some pictures related to this inquiry we would be able to provide better suggestions. Generally speaking, I am not in the camp that would try to remove law enforcement markings. There are those among us that collect such things and pay fair prices to do so. Removing markings often leaves the piece worse off than when the markings were there. Without seeing what I am talking about my thoughts are, as earlier mentioned, sell the piece to a collector and get another that better suits your wants.....

 

[Zackary]

I would just shoot it. I have a 67-1 marked OR. CO.CA-Orange County California, sheriff's duty gun. Purchased from Mark at the original Summit Gun Broker. My favorite hiking companion. Shoots like a dream.

 

[Inland7-45]

I would leave the gun exactly the way it is. The markings are a link to the gun's interesting past. If you would prefer a gun with out markings sell this one to an LE collector and buy one without PD markings. My favorite .38 is my 1st year Model 67. These are one of S&Ws best. Good luck with yours

 

[ACORN]

Unless the marking was done with a rusty nail, I'd leave it be.
As many have posted, it ads "charisma".

 

[Green Frog]

I'm with the "leave it as it is" faction here. You can't make it new again and LEO markings are evidence of a gun that has served its community. Why give those up? It would be like telling an old soldier to take of his uniform and Purple Heart!

Froggie

 

[s&wchad]

I learn something new here every day!

I couldn't figure out what OHB stood for, so I did some searching and found a completed listing on GI with this photo:

S & W Model 68

Apparently, OHB doesn't stand for anything. It was simply their way of defacing the CHP marking. It looks they did a really nice job of over stamping, but it's a shame they didn't just leave it alone. It would have had more collector interest and I'm sure they'd have records showing that it was decommissioned.

 

[smoothshooter]

Assuming it's on a flat surface, it's just going to be a matter of going after it with very high grit sandpaper, sanding blocks, etc. You'll probably have to go over the whole gun at the end with something like a Scotchbrite pad to make the finish match. Or polish the whole gun.

Bead blasting might be worth a try.

Lastly, if it happens to be on the side plate, maybe just fit another side plate.

" just fit another side plate " ??? Really???
I don't that is a task that should be taken lightly.
Very few people, even those used to working with needle files and stones, would want to take on a task like that.
I know I wouldn't, and I am pretty good with small tools.

 

[smoothshooter]

I learn something new here every day!

I couldn't figure out what OHB stood for, so I did some searching and found a completed listing on GI with this photo:

S & W Model 68

Apparently, OHB doesn't stand for anything. It was simply their way of defacing the CHP marking. It looks they did a really nice job of over stamping, but it's a shame they didn't just leave it alone. It would have had more collector interest and I'm sure they'd have records showing that it was decommissioned.

I wouldn't be concerned about the stamping at all.
More important thjngs in life to worry about.

 

[LPD256]

The CHP did the same overstamping with the issued Model 68 stainless 6 inch guns. Overstamped most likely means an issued and carried gun. A civilian that bought a CHP Commemorative or over-run gun wouldn't overstamp it. If I were the OP I'd request a ship date and Hope Mr Jinks gave a hint that it should be lettered. Not sure how much extra one that was issued will bring. But I'm always interested in attempting to search the history of a legit gun that I own. I'm also more in acquiring those guns.