Grandpas S&W .38

[Tom S.]

No proof, but sure smells like a spammer/scammer to me.

 

[DARE]

Nice gun Ron, but you make me feel old. Your grandpa was a lawman in the 60's.
My grandpa was a Marine during WWI.

 

[heeter3]

RON O,you know that you've got to keep that beauty and make sure it stays in the family.

 

[Nick43]

I agree with every thing said, but why was your grandaddy carrying a 1920's 38 in the 1960's. as a side arm in law enforcement. Just curious.

I have a nearly identical 1905 that my S&W Letter dates to 1927. When my uncle joined the PD in the 50's he had to buy his own uniform and firearm. A friend gifted him the revolver and that was what he carried until his retirement (in the 70's, I believe).

 

[PRM1]

I agree with every thing said, but why was your grandaddy carrying a 1920's 38 in the 1960's. as a side arm in law enforcement. Just curious.

I started my career as a Deputy Sheriff in the mid-70s. Most departments in that era (except for the larger ones) required officers to furnish their own firearms. Guidelines were also pretty standard, Colt or S&W, .38 or 357, with a four inch barrel for patrol. You wound up with officers carrying what they could afford. Family heirlooms were not unusual.

 

[b737lvr]

I started my career as a Deputy Sheriff in the mid-70s. Most departments in that era (except for the larger ones) required officers to furnish their own firearms. Guidelines were also pretty standard, Colt or S&W, .38 or 357, with a four inch barrel for patrol. You wound up with officers carrying what they could afford. Family heirlooms were not unusual.

There are plenty of agencies still practicing this today. Buy your own gun. I personally agree with it because the patrolman is financially incentivized to take care of it. I have a lot of respect for 20th century policeman. It took a lot of guts to do the job and often times you were on your own to deal with things. Meanwhile, every deputy here in my county these days is dressed like they’re invading Normandy and have zero professional skills when handling disputes. America did a great job scaring off great men from law enforcement.

 

[Ron O]

I started my career as a Deputy Sheriff in the mid-70s. Most departments in that era (except for the larger ones) required officers to furnish their own firearms. Guidelines were also pretty standard, Colt or S&W, .38 or 357, with a four inch barrel for patrol. You wound up with officers carrying what they could afford. Family heirlooms were not unusual.

My Dad was also a Deputy Sherriff in the 70's and had to buy his own firearm. He bought a Colt Python .357. I will have that one in my possession soon.

 

[PRM1]

My Dad was also a Deputy Sherriff in the 70's and had to buy his own firearm. He bought a Colt Python .357. I will have that one in my possession soon.

Yeah, money was tight. Colts in the 70s were around $50-$75 dollars higher than S&Ws. I started with S&Ws but did eventually get a Python.

Love my S&Ws and Colts. I once worked for an old Sheriff who was a Colt only guy. He used to say "I'd rather live next door to a man who owns a Colt as to have anything else." Both brands are top shelf. I generally carry a Model 60-4, 3 inch. Size and concealment carry the day for me. If I'm traveling and driving through some sketchy areas, I'll have my Gen 4, Glock 19. It's hard not to appreciate 15 rounds.