How do agency markings impact value?

[jtcarm]

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.

M-27s seem a bit pricey for an airport PD. They must've been purchased when the Houston area was still flush with domestic oil money.

Slightly interesting, since I'm in a Texan, but with the exception of the Texans football team, I HATE Houston.

Any chance we could swap the Cowboys for the Texans? Of course, owners are included in the deal

 

[Sgt 127]

I collect badges. If I can find a department marked gun to go with a badge, I will generally pick it up. Problem is, I have over 300 major city badges. Little short on the guns to go with them. By about 293 or so.

 

[KEN L]

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-

So, instead of always posting that "drool pic" all the time. How about posting a pic of that backstrap??

 

[MP1518]

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."??

To ME , S&W revolvers that have LE markings are worth just as much and more likely more than the same revolver w/o LE markings.

Here in CA, a revolver marked CHP, LAPD, SFPD, SFSD etc is A LOT more interesting than just another model 66, 19 , 67 etc.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

Really only adds value to collectors. I've paid $1000 for a Maine state police branded Beretta in 100%. Also paid $500+ for used and abused NYPD, Boston PD , and Miami Dade glocks. Those of us who collect will spend the cash. To others its just a gun

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jtcarm]

I collect badges. If I can find a department marked gun to go with a badge, I will generally pick it up. Problem is, I have over 300 major city badges. Little short on the guns to go with them. By about 293 or so.

We need some pics of your stinking badges

 

[NineT6Delta]

I think a lot of it depends on the gun as well as the dept. Either way a gun is worth what someone will pay for it. Personally I think if it's a shooter it just adds character. I just picked up this PPC revolver Sunday



and found this under the pachmayrs



any ideas what agency?

 

[Arik]

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.

Thats the only reason I buy my. Same great gun at 1/2 the price. I'd say roughly 75% of my gunz are police. Also I dont find them all that hard to get rid of, assuming the price isnt that of a civilian gun.

I think some are more cool then others based on the popularity of the police dpt. For instance NYPD and Los Angeles mared would be "cooler" thus more collectible than say Moose fart MN pd.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Arik]

I think a lot of it depends on the gun as well as the dept. Either way a gun is worth what someone will pay for it. Personally I think if it's a shooter it just adds character. I just picked up this PPC revolver Sunday



and found this under the pachmayrs



any ideas what agency?

Could be Pittsburg PD, Philadelphia PD . What model is it?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[NineT6Delta]

it's a 10-6

 

[Old TexMex]

All about provenance, ain't it...
I'll pay extra for one marked Texas Mexican Railway

(even if it's a H&R)

 

[oldguyshoot]

...thus more collectible than say Moose fart MN pd.

I would pay a premium for Moose Fart.

 

[Arik]

it's a 10-6

I know Philadelphia used model 10s

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jsfricks]

Backstrap of my 10-5.

 

[calcifer]

I do personally appreciate LE marked guns.
I don't think that a SFPD marked mod. 29 could exist, but I have a SFPD marked 28-2 HP dated back 1973.....
What to say..?? Could have belonged to one of dirty Harry's colleagues.... ;-)

 

[Engineer1911]

Rare markings

My best gun shop story is about an old beater S&W marked CIA StAlb, VT. I was told that it was a rare Central Intelligence Agency gun from a foreign country.

I questioned the wisdom of the CIA marking its "secret" guns. After suggesting that it meant Century Arms International St Albans, Vermont and was the importer's stamp required by federal law the clerk was unhappy. I also mentioned that I had been to the building and seen piles, pallets, and barrels of guns being unloaded from trucks for sorting.

Another stellar gun store moment .

 

[steamloco76]

I didn't pay more or less than regular non-agency marked value for this nearly mint condition 28-2. From the condition I believe the HP was either never issued or was issued to a ranking officer who didn't carry it much.

 

[lawandorder]

Beauty and desire lies in the eyes of the beholder.

One mans trash, another mans treasure.

 

[LEO918]

I have had a few LE marked guns and currently have an Austin PD Heavy Duty and a Florida Highway Patrol marked FHP M-27-2 with 5" barrel, nickel. They would be among the last to leave my collection.

 

[TAROMAN]

IMHO, department markings validate a gun's history, telling a story that gives it character.
Mine get shot as they were intended to be.
Personally, I'd pay more for one marked for a well-known department like:

or: