Help on Model 68

[SuperMan]

Althought I have heard and read about Model 68s I have never personally seen one till today.

This one is a 6", 15K serial number, standard hammer, standard trigger, stainless rear sight including the blade, red ramp front and of course maked .38 Special on the barrel.

The left side of the frame is marked O. H. B. on the left side of the frame under the cylinder window.

Condition is 90+%, lockup tight, timimg perfect and a DA pull to die for...

I am not home so don't have my Catalog available....

Qustions:
How rare are they?

Fair asking price?

Any clue what agency with those initials would have issued the gun...

Thanks..Bob

 

[Art Doc]

I think only the LAPD (and maybe the LASO) used them besides the original buyer which was the CHP. The OHB is over-stamped to cover CHP.

Can't help you with value although a 90% gun with the over-stamp would probably not terribly excite a serious collector.

 

[Colokeb]

It is a 38 special only ( converted from what would have been a 357 Model 66 ) made for the California Highway Patrol. OHB is a defacing of the letters CHP when it was sold off. I have one that is still CHP, a very smooth gun.

Value I'd say likely in the $475-600 range...want to swap photos?

 

[Colokeb]

CHP

This was kept by an armorer working at CHP.

 

[Art Doc]

The only ones not defaced were guns purchased by officers. Not sure if the CHP allows that any longer.

 

[OIF2]

Barrel markings on an LAPD 68.
Bob

 

[SuperMan]

...ok...that is by the "B" looks funny....

I didn't have my glasses with me when I looked at it but will take a closer look next time...

Bob

 

[SuperMan]

Took a closer look at the gun tonight... Even up close the transformation from "C" to "O" is almost impossible to detect. The "P" however that was made into a "B" is easily seen because of the small loop on the bottom of the B instrad of on top....but whoever did the overstamp was VERY careful and skillfull.....

The shop is asking $500...and although nice I chose to buy a nice 60-10 3" .357 instread....

Bob

 

[Bush Pilot]

I purchased 2 really nice model 68s this spring for $350.00 each. Both guns still had the CHP markings.

 

[Andy Taylor]

FWIW, all M68s are 6", at least as they came from the factory.

 

[Texas Star]

Anyone know if these cylinders were heat treated like M-66's, or were they .38-spec, like for M-67's?

Thanks,

T-Star

 

[OIF2]

According to what I was told, the 68 was just a 66 with shorter .38 chambers. No difference. My 68 is over-stamped "MOD 68-2". The "8" is obviously stamped (looks by hand) over the "6". I would imagine there was no difference in heat-treatment.
Bob

 

[SuperMan]

Not quite correct...the cylinder length of the K-Frame S&W .38 Special caliber guns is 1.56". .357 Magnums are 1.67 (later 1.62"). The amount of forcing cone protruding into the frame window is more with the .38 size cylinder.

The 68s have the .38 Special cylinder length but are "+P" rated, 67s were not. From something that I read I believe LAPD and CHP wanted a gun as tough as the 66 that would hold up to a lot of shooting but not take .357 Magnum rounds...hence they special ordered these from S&W.

Bob

 

[Sebago Son]

Soooo.....

Bob, did you buy it?

Inquiring minds want to know....

Drew