Detroit PD gun picture thread?!!!!

[moosedog]

I was very lucky to run across this one. Confirmed by a friend who works at the Detroit Police Museum, its inventory number (145) is just two digits away from an identical one on display at the museum which is inventory number 143. Chambered in 38 S&W, the gun is in great mechanical condition, complete with original grips and the bore is in very good condition.
Detroit started ordering guns to issue in the 1880's. Prior to that, police were issued batons and could carry a private purchase side arm. Merwin & Hulburt was only in business from 1874 to 1896. I wish this gun could talk.

 

[got2hav1]

Damn! This opens an old wound for me. I had one about 10 yrs ago. I paid $199. A beautiful DPD marked 5". Pristine.

Back then I didn't apreciate what it was as it was my only S&W back then. It was just a "clunky .38". I stupidly traded it off for something that I don't even remember. One of my biggest gun regrets. Ouch.

Me too! I had a Colt MKIII Official Police in Nickel 5" barrel. Detroit PD. 1972 era IIRC. Yep, probably should've kept that one.

 

[Truckman]

I can't remember whether I contributed to this thread or not, so in case I didn't here's mine...

 

[DunRanull]

Those are purdy, but I gotta know if'n it's

DEE-troit or

Duh-troit...

Bein' as it was the City Of My Birth- it's always been deh-TROIT... Just sayin...

 

[DunRanull]

I've seen a few on gunbroker in the past and am currently looking for a Detroit Police marked gun.

Me too... Anyone know of any around, revolver or semi? Hint hint...

 

[roundels]

My wife is from the Motor City. She pronounces it Deh-TROIT.

 

[Truckman]

I've always been secure in the way Bobby Bare pronounciates it... ...Ben

 

[jscott]

I will start it off with this nice cherry model 10-5 in nickel from the Detroit PD with a 5" barrel.
I am curious how many will surface here and if they are different in barrel length from mine.
Peter.

I will start it off with this nice cherry model 10-5 in nickel from the Detroit PD with a 5" barrel.
I am curious how many will surface here and if they are different in barrel length from mine.
Peter.

Identical to the one DPD issued me in 1973. It was very accurate, but immediately put it away when I purchased a 4" SW model 19. The 5" barrel was too long for a fast presentation from the holster. The issue holster had a flap that was secured by a swivel latch that made fast draws impossible, anyway. The new shorter gun and a modified Jordan holster with a bikini flap corrected any presentation issues. However, at that time in Detroit with the large number of cops being murdered, most rode around with their gun in their lap.

 

[jscott]

My wife is from the Motor City. She pronounces it Deh-TROIT.

Correct. Since it is a French word, it should be pronounced as a Frenchman would.

 

[jscott]

Going back to at least the 1940s, DPD issued 5 inch nickel Colt Official Police or 5 inch nickel S&W M&P which later became the model 10 in 1957. The 10-5s were the last S&W duty guns bought.
The bureaus, and command got issued 2 inch nickel Colt DS or S&W M&P. Some blued 2 inch M&P were bought, but most are nickel. Later model 64s in 2 inch were bought. Those are the only two barrel lengths issued.
Officers were allowed to purchase and carry their own Colt or S&W DA revolvers in 38Spl or larger and supplied their own holsters, ammo and pouches or speed loaders. The S&W model 39 and 59 were also allowed starting in the 1970s.
Here's a post war M&P. I'll try to dig up some more photos.

Here's it's blued post war brother.

As I remember, badge #s that began in the 4000s were Reserve officers. Am I correct?

 

[jimmyj]

In the era of 1970s I was range officer and qualified a number of retired DPD Officer who worked as security at a local race track. Every one of the DPD Retirees carried their department issued Colt Official Police Model 5" Nickeled Plate. Their story was that DPD wanted a revolver that would last forever and so chose the Colt O.P.

 

[JHW47]

I understand Detroit is in Wayne County. I have a several 10-5 five-inch Nichol revolvers just like the Detroit revolvers and also a Colt Official Police in five-inch Nichol. They are marked on the backstrap just like the Detroit guns with inventory numbers except they say Wayne Co XXXX. Must have been popular model in the area.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Correct. Since it is a French word, it should be pronounced as a Frenchman would.

In Frenchish it would be something like, "Dehy-trwah".

Michigan is full of mangled French and Indian words.

 

[moosedog]

"As I remember, badge #s that began in the 4000s were Reserve officers. Am I correct?"

No, my badge was in the 4000s in the late 70s. I don't know if their badges had numbers. I know they had different patches.

 

[JSticks]

I understand Detroit is in Wayne County. I have a several 10-5 five-inch Nichol revolvers just like the Detroit revolvers and also a Colt Official Police in five-inch Nichol. They are marked on the backstrap just like the Detroit guns with inventory numbers except they say Wayne Co XXXX. Must have been popular model in the area.

Here's my Wayne County example! Beautiful revolver, but I doubt it was ever issued. Double action works fine, but if you try to pull the trigger slowly it locks up tight until you relieve pressure. It needs to visit the gunsmith, I guess!
Anyway, I bought this at an online Black Friday sale in 2019 for $260.00. The vendor had at least 20 left and I posted these pictures on this forum at the time advising of the sale.

 

[moosedog]

Its not unusual for neighboring agencies to piggy back orders with another agency for a better price.

 

[jimmyj]

In 1958 my local agency hired a new Police Chief (former FBI Agent). He changed the uniforms and vehicles to green and white, patent leather three inch gun belts, cross draw holsters, and nickel 4" Colt Official Police .38 Revolvers. Those Colts (300+) each had "Issues". After a few months the Colts went away replaced with S&W M10s. The Colts had SPPD stamped on the rear grip frame.

 

[JHW47]

Here's my Wayne County example! Beautiful revolver, but I doubt it was ever issued. Double action works fine, but if you try to pull the trigger slowly it locks up tight until you relieve pressure. It needs to visit the gunsmith, I guess!
Anyway, I bought this at an online Black Friday sale in 2019 for $260.00. The vendor had at least 20 left and I posted these pictures on this forum at the time advising of the sale.
View attachment 791750View attachment 791751

I got a couple that had never been issued and one with a bit of holster/seat belt wear. They all shoot great.

 

[john1958]

I was very lucky to run across this one. Confirmed by a friend who works at the Detroit Police Museum, its inventory number (145) is just two digits away from an identical one on display at the museum which is inventory number 143. Chambered in 38 S&W, the gun is in great mechanical condition, complete with original grips and the bore is in very good condition.
Detroit started ordering guns to issue in the 1880's. Prior to that, police were issued batons and could carry a private purchase side arm. Merwin & Hulburt was only in business from 1874 to 1896. I wish this gun could talk.

I will start it off with this nice cherry model 10-5 in nickel from the Detroit PD with a 5" barrel.
I am curious how many will surface here and if they are different in barrel length from mine.
Peter.

I have one just like this. 18625

I will start it off with this nice cherry model 10-5 in nickel from the Detroit PD with a 5" barrel.
I am curious how many will surface here and if they are different in barrel length from mine.
Peter.