How do agency markings impact value?

[jtcarm]

All things being equal (condition, rarity, etc), how do police agency markings impact value?

Let's assume we're talking domestic agencies, nothing that's been re-imported.

I'm sure some famous agencies and/or special runs probably add value. But what about obscure or even indistinct departments, such as one I looked at the other day simply market "Airport P.D."??

 

[pawncop]

Good question. If it is a "generic" marking, example "S.C.S.O." You may not have a clue which agency it is. If it clearly marked, example "Detroit Police" or the marking is well known, example a 41 magnum with A. P. D. (Austin Police) then there may be added value particularly for those collecting LE marked firearms.

Hope you find this helpful.

 

[BJoe]

ANY markings take 25%-40% off the price. Some people, me included, won't buy one for anything but a shooter. They are REAL hard to get rid of.

 

[quinn]

I'm more in line with pawncop... there are those of us who really like guns with a working history. This is especially true as you get to old guns. My Houston PD gun is one of my absolute favorites. I have a few other LEO guns that I really wish they were marked.

 

[Biginge]

I'm with Quin. I betcha we could get a lot more for our .44 HE 3rd than we paid for them. Poor ole Houston P D down the backstrap. Also kinda got a story about the furniture store robbery and the two officers that were killed by the bad guy,etc. These are way more than just a shooter. Just my 4 cents worth factored for inflation. Just picked up a Detroit PD yesterday. However I do shoot them. Thought thats what they were made to do?

 

[SgtLumpy]

I'm thinkin' a 6 1/2" Model 29 with SFPD markings would be quite a catch.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[deanodog]

I have bought lots of ex police guns and have been satisfied with them all. I bought them cheaper and they sold or traded cheaper. I never had anyone turn one down one because of the markings but I have all shooters.

 

[dfariswheel]

Prominent law enforcement agencies and departments that used rather famous guns aside, to the average gun buyer a LE stamp on a visible location, like the side of the frame usually lowers the value.

There are some people who collect LE stamped guns and they will pay the value of the unmarked gun for a stamp they want.
Most other buyers only see the side of the gun defaced with a stamp, and that drops the value.

 

[Biginge]

How do you , less than enamored with LE markings golks feel about ordnance bombs and RAC inspectors marks? I have a USNCPC marked pre model 10 that is 1 of 9 marked in a certain way. Some dude at the pawn shop didn't like those marks either, and Boy, am I glad. Sure makes them special to me. If there is providence with the gun I'm gonna buy it. I am not talking recent trade in's from Las Vegas PD or some such, but older LE marked guns like the Austin PD. I would love to have one of those.

 

[jsfricks]

I have a Model 10-5 snubnose that is marked Suffolk County P.D. in the original box and I paid more than average value because it was marked as such. Mine is marked on the backstrap. Here's mine-

 

[koz5614]

Here's one of my "old" LE guns:

I know, I know. It's a Colt. Not much to look at. The grips are wrong, and the blueing is worn...but THIS is why I bought it:


I agree that LE collectors value a gun differently than a regular collector. I also believe that the way the LE guns are marked play a role in the value. This Colt Official Police was marked with care by a one of our Division armorers in 1932. This gun, although well used, is worth well more than the $455 I paid for it to a LE collector. NJSP marked guns are very rare. That, and the fact that the agency is well known add to its value. I have other police guns that are rare in general, and it doesn't matter what agency they are marked with. My Remington Model 81 Police is a LASD gun. Since they only made a couple hundred of these guns, it really doesn't matter if it's from LA or Paducah or if it is even marked at all; it's worth the money because it is rare. Again, this gun was marked by a professional. Unfortunately, I've seen other agency guns that looked like the electro-pencil was wielded by a blind man on methamphetamine. These are the type of guns I feel lose their value over a unmarked firearm. Just my 2 cents.

 

[shawn mccarver]

All things being equal (condition, rarity, etc), how do police agency markings impact value?

Let's assume we're talking domestic agencies, nothing that's been re-imported.

I'm sure some famous agencies and/or special runs probably add value. But what about obscure or even indistinct departments, such as one I looked at the other day simply market "Airport P.D."??

You will get all sorts of opinions on this, but my thought is that, for me, unless it is an agency I am interested in, I prefer no markings.

As to individuals, unless it is someone of great significance, I am not interested in arms with the previous owner's name, initials, family crest, etc.

Naturally, if it is a gun related person such as Elmer Keith, Jeff Cooper, Bill Jordan, Skeeter Skelton, or one of a precious few others; or, another well known person, such as J. Edgar Hoover, Clyde Tolson, John F. Kennedy, John Wayne, or a handful of others, I will make an exception to the normal rule - as would most of us.

Basically, if YOU like it, then go for it, but markings will always be used by a potential buyer (whether they secretly like the markings or not) to argue that "no one will want it," therefore, the value on trade is lower or whatever.

 

[jtcarm]

Pretty much as I thought. Airport P.D. Is a shooter.

FWIW it's a 3 1/2" 27-2. Price isn't far off for a shooter. I might make an offer.

 

[Professor Frink]

Two guns, identical in every way except one has some type of LE marking. I will always go for the LE marked gun. I like knowing some of the history.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Some people, me included, won't buy one for anything but a shooter.

I only buy guns that are shooters. I admire the beautiful collectible pieces but will not buy them because I expect my guns to face some abuse sometime in their lives with me.

(this is not an indictment of collectors or collecting, just a statement of how I buy)

They are REAL hard to get rid of.

Just call me, I'll be right over.

 

[66snub]

My M37 isn't necessarily marked with an actual "PD" marking, just a "045" on the opposite side of the side plate. It is, however, a Michigan State Police back up that still serves duty as my back up. It rides in a holster fastened inside my vest straps, working the graveyard shift. The markings are OK with me.

 

[koz5614]

66snub- was your gun purchased by Michigan SP? I think in the case of your Model 37, the provenance would need to be included with the gun if it was of sale. If I saw a Model 37 on a table with "045" stamped on it, I may pass it by. With the provenance that it was a real State Police gun, my interest would be piqued. Post a pic of it please!

 

[policerevolvercollector]

I think I read somewhere that the "Airport P.D." marked 27s were used in Texas..... Houston maybe? Not positive. I'll try to find the reference and post later.

 

[chief38]

Unless you worked for that Agency and it means something to you personally, Department market guns are worth LESS than their twins without markings.

Personally I would not buy one at any price, but that's just me.

 

[DCWilson]

As you see from the replies above, this is the kind of question where you can argue the proper answer square or argue it round.

I paid big bucks for an Austin P.D. Heavy Duty and was happy to get it. I was born there and have fond memories of family members who lived there. Owning that gun is a way to connect with a part of my childhood that is pretty small in comparison with other parts. I probably would not be equally as interested in a service revolver for another agency, but I wouldn't think the agency marking detracted significantly from the gun. I would expect any unrefinished agency gun to have been a tool and I would not expect to see one in NIB condition, or even particularly good condition. But how much value can you take off a shooter just because it has some extra numbers or letters mashed into its frame or sideplate? Not much. How much value can you add to a worn and utilitarian gun that has strong emotional associations to some individuals? Quite a bit, in many cases -- maybe even most.

Statisticians call the lower limit an absorbing boundary, but there is no limit to the upside. I would expect a descriptive statistical report to show that insignia and initials create at least a little value kick for the average gun (though not for every gun) and a huge value kick for the guns that saw service in charismatic departments. I don't say those who wouldn't buy a retired department gun are wrong; they are just driven by different collecting principles and will be outbid on agency guns by those who see things differently. That too supports the pressure for higher prices on surplussed and de-accessioned agency firearms.

Short answer then: in the market, they are worth more.