Detroit PD gun picture thread?!!!!

I bought this one last month. A transitional model made in 1947 and shipped to DPD. The grips are replacements as the originals are pretty worn.
 

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moosedog said:
I bought this one last month. A transitional model made in 1947 and shipped to DPD. The grips are replacements as the originals are pretty worn.
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Great find! And the nickel is in very nice shape compared to some Detroit guns from that time frame I've seen. But by all means keep those original stocks, if they number to the gun, no matter how worn! Could be make a three-digit difference in terms of what a police collector might be willing to pay, just in case you ever want to sell the gun again.
 
What are the odds that the DPD marked Colt Commandos were used by the Dallas PD?

My Day-twah-lay PD 1926 Colt Army Special .38.
Unfortunately, some French shower sack ground off the Detroit Police stamping.
Fortunately, the inventory number is still stamped on the bottom of the butt, and it is the exact same font as the others I've seen from the same era.
IMG_2117_zpslwrsiicy.jpg

Did I mention someone had it chopped and bobbed?
They chopped it to about 3" Bbl length.
They also recrowned the barrel nicely.
IMG_2126_zpsp37qal1o.jpg

They also did a pretty decent job making the replacement front sight.
It's a little taler than I like, and I'd like it better if the top had rounded corners.
But, the face of it is pretty nicely grooved.
IMG_2125_zpsmkshpo0e.jpg


The MOP stocks do make it look like a pimp gun, but they are nice stocks.
The bobbed hammer is also checkered on it's top.

Somebody made a damned nice carry piece from it.
I'd love to restore it to it's original 5" barreled, spurred hammer, non-pimp stocked, glory.
However, it IS a pretty nice carry piece.

It was cheap, because collectors apparently don't want a molested Colt.
I was all over it, because of the nice MOP stocks, the cheap price, and the fact that I like Colts.

I really want an AS of OP in .32-20 (IF the OP was made in that chambering).
I also want an M&P in .32-20.
 
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This thread has a lot of subscribers so I'll post this here. Bud's has used Detroit PD-marked S&W M&P40s w/ 3 mags listed in stock for $319. This may be old news but someone just shared it on a local forum and I figured I'd pass it along for those here who may be interested.
 
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-db- said:
This thread has a lot of subscribers so I'll post this here. Bud's has used DPD-marked S&W M&P40s w/ 3 mags listed in stock for $319. This may be old news but someone just shared it on a local forum and I figured I'd pass it along for those here who may be interested.
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Has it ever been determined that the DPD stamping has anything to do with Detroit? This has been the subject of discussion several times, but it appears that Detroit always stuck to spelling out "Detroit" on their guns, not just the famous revolver back strap, but also more modern plastic guns.
 
In the 1970-1980 era I state certified guards for a security company. Most of these guards were retired LEOs from other states. Most certified with their old service revolvers. I recall the ones from DPD had Colt Official Police Models with five inch barrels and were nickeled plated
 
Well, here's another one I couldn't pass up. Even though it's been cut down to 3 inch barrel length it shoots decent from the 12 yard line out back.
 

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This is an awesome thread. My grandfather was gunsmith and chief armorer for DPD through the 50's and 60's. He passed away when I was 2yo in 1969.

I can only imagine how many of these SW revolver's passed through his hands. I am sure much of the DPD engraving was his work.
 
I was DPD sworn from 73-75, when I moved on to Miami-Dade. From 72-73, I was a civilian on the Police Commissioner's staff at Headquarters. One day, an officer I worked with took me down to the armory in the basement. It was probably after your grandfather's time, but what a cool place. Unamaginable that one could get paid for spending each day working on Smith and Colt revolvers. How cool would that be?
 
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A few years ago, I spied a DPD marked 2" 64 at a South Florida gun show. Having once been DPD, I couldn't buy it quick enough. Came complete with box, tools, and papers. Like your's, it looked NIB. Called DPD armory and was advised that mine was unissued and sold off when DPD went to Glocks. Probably the same as your's. Shoots like a dream. It's my low profile piece. Once saw a DPD Det. Sgt., I worked with, face down a gunman in an alley, challenging him to "Go ahead, pull" like in a movie. He was packing a 2" Model 10. But that is a story for another time.
 
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DrDremel said:
Having grown up in Metro Detroit, I've always wanted one of these but never came across one. If any one would like to sell one, I'd like to buy one of if you come across one, please e-mail me or contact me. I would like one that is not in new condition but one that was used, as it would represent one carried. I am impressed with the pictures and stories.
Bill
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I know it's like almost 10 years later, but in case you haven't found one, this is a link for a pre model 10, nickel RB Detroit marked snub. It's pretty expensive, but just in case you were interested here it is.


Smith & Wesson Pre Model 10 Revolver Detroit Police Dept.
Factory Engraved
 
jscott said:
A few years ago, I spied a DPD marked 2" 64 at a South Florida gun show. Having once been DPD, I couldn't buy it quick enough. Came complete with box, tools, and papers. Like your's, it looked NIB. Called DPD armory and was advised that mine was unissued and sold off when DPD went to Glocks. Probably the same as your's. Shoots like a dream. It's my low profile piece. Once saw a DPD Det. Sgt., I worked with, face down a gunman in an alley, challenging him to "Go ahead, pull" like in a movie. He was packing a 2" Model 10. But that is a story for another time.
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I'd LOVE to hear that story!
 
one eye joe said:
I NEVER SAW MORE GORGEOUS GUNS ISSUED TO A POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE NICKEL SNUBBIES ARE FANTASTIC. I WOULD ASSUME THAT THE MOTIVE TO ORDER NICKEL WOULD BE THE EXPECTATION THAT IT WOULD BE MORE RESISTANT TO THE ELEMENTS AND TO HOLSTER WEAR. (HAVING NEVER OWNED A NICKEL GUN, I HAVE NO CLUE IF THIS IS TRUE) I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THEY WOULD PURCHASE THEM FOR MERELY COSMETIC PURPOSES. IN ANY EVENT, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE SNUBBY S&Ws………...
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I'll tell you too, this is currently available on Guns International. RB, snub, nickel pre Model 10 DPD S&W


Smith & Wesson Pre Model 10 Revolver Detroit Police Dept.
Factory Engraved
 
LLOYD17, looks like you have most of them. You need 2 Smiths that I'm aware of; SS M64 and a nickel 5". I have the SS 2" and missed on the 4" from Gander Mountain, when they went out of business. I was issued the NPR 5", but put it away for a 4" nickel M19, when on the job. Still have the 19. Saved my life once, so it's a keeper.
 
jscott said:
LLOYD17, looks like you have most of them. You need 2 Smiths that I'm aware of; SS M64 and a nickel 5". I have the SS 2" and missed on the 4" from Gander Mountain, when they went out of business. I was issued the NPR 5", but put it away for a 4" nickel M19, when on the job. Still have the 19. Saved my life once, so it's a keeper.
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I've shot my father-in-law's nickel Colt DPD gun that his dad carried in the 50's. I'll keep an eye out for the other Smith's since it seems I'm now collecting DPD guns.
 
LLOYD17, thanks for reminding me about the Colts. Revolver issue day in the DPD Academy, staff came around and put a box in front of each recruit. Colt or SW, no system. What you got is what you got. SW M&P or Colt Official Police. All nickel, fixed sight, 5", .38.
 
Each DPD Scout Car had a gun box in the trunk that included a 12 ga shotgun and one of those M1 carbines. Sunday morning, at the precincts, was carbine clean and inspect time. Never saw one of those '97 shotguns on the street, but fired them in the Academy. Hold the trigger down and it would fire as fast as it was pumped. Awesome firepower, but not the safest of weapons.
 
This .38 M&P Airweight was shipped to the Detroit Police March 24, 1953 on an Advertising Account. It resulted in a large order on .38 M&P Airweights.
I bought this from a retired Smith & Wesson employee.
 

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Club Gun Fan said:
This .38 M&P Airweight was shipped to the Detroit Police March 24, 1953 on an Advertising Account. It resulted in a large order on .38 M&P Airweights.
I bought this from a retired Smith & Wesson employee.
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Does that gun still have its aluminum cylinder? I just picked on up today. How do you know it was an advertising account and what is a large order?
 
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