Kansas City PD Training With the Pre-War .357 Magnum

[lestert357]

When I was researching the Forum archives for KCPD Pre-War Magnums I found a reference to an article in the December 1945 issue of The American Rifleman. So I went ahead and ordered a copy of the December 1945 issue off of eBay so I could read it. The article, starting on page 18, is entitled "The Law - and the Gun" and was written by Capt. Byron Engle of the KCPD. The article is about how the KCPD trained with their .357 Magnums when the guns were in service in the 1940's. Contained in the article are several pictures of Capt. Engle and other officers holding or firing their .357 Magnums. I have attached phone pictures of a couple of those pictures below (there are other pictures in the article). They both clearly show the Baughman Quick Draw/King Ramp front sight, and the picture of Capt. Engle in the combat-shooting position I believe shows a humpback hammer.

Also as I was browsing through the rest of the magazine I ran across an unexpected bonus - an article on page 62 under the heading "Side Arm Leather". There, pictured below, is the holster that Capt. Engle designed for the .357 Magnums for the KCPD. The hammer in this photo appears to be the standard hammer.

For those of you who are interested, there are other copies of the December 1945 issue of American Rifleman available on eBay. The entire issue is an interesting glimpse into what was happening in our country right after WWII.

 

[rubiranch]

I love old stuff. Thank you.

Utah Highway Patrol were issued Pre-War Magnums too.

"1938
The duty weapon is changed to a .357 magnum revolver. Smith & Wesson revolvers are issued with 6 inch barrels. Winchester, Model 97, 12 gauge shotguns are also issued."





This is my 2nd Model hand ejector .44 Special. It is #8 of 12 units issued to UHP Troopers Jan 21st, 1932.

I hope I'm not drifting too far off topic.

 

[kwill1911]

Some other KCPD stuff to look for if you don't have them:

 

[Toyman]

Here is what happened when the RMs service life ended.

 

[quinn]

Really great thread! I just recently got a copy of the "Human Wolves" but missing the dust jacket. Also found a contemporary press photo of Reed. My NRM was refurbished by the factory in 1947 and given early post war magnas fitted to the longer grip frame. Also, got a KCMO PD badge. I find the research and the history almost as much fun as finding the guns themselves.

 

[lestert357]

Really great thread! I just recently got a copy of the "Human Wolves" but missing the dust jacket. Also found a contemporary press photo of Reed. My NRM was refurbished by the factory in 1947 and given early post war magnas fitted to the longer grip frame. Also, got a KCMO PD badge. I find the research and the history almost as much fun as finding the guns themselves.

Randy,

Sounds like we're going down the same tracks. Could you post your press photo of Chief Reed? I have a couple of press photos of him as well, which I have posted in other threads, and they are all very informative. Thanks.

 

[quinn]

Randy,

Sounds like we're going down the same tracks. Could you post your press photo of Chief Reed? I have a couple of press photos of him as well, which I have posted in other threads, and they are all very informative. Thanks.

I'll post it when I get it dug out. We had to move out after a plumbing leak and just now moving back in. Can't find a thing."

 

[GRT3031]

Could anyone imagine a Law Enforcement Agency issuing a .357 Magnum today? Think Chicago, New York, or LA?

OP, thank you for sharing this! I wonder how the Chief got this past the penny pinchers!

 

[Toyman]

L.B Reed was hired after the state of Missouri took control of the KCPD due to corruption. The governor of Missouri appoints a board to over see the operation and they hire the chief.
Reed was given instructions to clean up the corruption and change image of the department and he did.
Reed modernized the equipment and started minimum education requirements and training programs.

To this day the sate of Missouri has control over the KCPD.