LAPD 1914: The S&W "Police Special 38"

[jimmyj]

LAPD Revolvers

Sounds like you have a "Convoy" Blackjack. IMHO the best

The one I have from my uncle is a solid piece of lead about the size of your thumb. The base of it is a heavy duty spring and the whole thing is wrapped in heavy leather. No beads there. I occasionally bring it in to my high school law enforcement wanna-be’s A quick flick of the wrist to a desk sounds like a cannon. The kids jump. I never tell them it’s coming. The whole point of the thing.

 

[jimmyj]

LAPD Revolvers

When I started LEO in 1962 the "Claw" was popular, however wrists could be fractured if used too forcible.

We had a few "old timers" who carried the claw. I never used one myself. They do put a hurt on your wrist.

 

[CALREB]

Before I carried a S/A for a primary duty weapon, I carried a 3914 as a backup in my support side pocket, had a holster made with a front pointing clip that held the gun up and down, my rover(radio) covered the inch or so of frame that stuck out of my pocket, anyway I had my sap pocket sewed short so it held an extra mag perfectly.
Many pictures of early LAPD officers in the LAPRAAC restaurant at the Police Academy, everything from Colt single actions, to sawed off shotguns in those pictures. Not sure exactly when weapons were issued and standardized. Many changes to that list over the years. When you pull up the registration for LAPD handguns most show registered to Training Bureau or Training Division, some Im sure would show Metro, or maybe SIS. Never heard of anyone lettering one to see who the S/W shipping shows it going to. Guns shipped to Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club would be private purchases. Although in the early days the Dept and LAPRAAC were closely intertwined and not so worried about "proper" policy and may have sent them there for Academy issue.
Bob

 

[Skeetr57]

The J I Case car in the original post is a pretty rare automobile. They were built from 1910 to 1926 or 27 with only about 27000 total produced. Ford built 15 million in roughly the same period. The Case was an expensive car, costing about $2000 as compared to $400 for a Ford. The price was indicative of quality, and I'm surprised that a police department could afford a Case.

 

[bgrafsr]

The one I have from my uncle is a solid piece of lead about the size of your thumb. The base of it is a heavy duty spring and the whole thing is wrapped in heavy leather. No beads there. I occasionally bring it in to my high school law enforcement wanna-be’s A quick flick of the wrist to a desk sounds like a cannon. The kids jump. I never tell them it’s coming. The whole point of the thing.

That's what I carried in my early days too. Don't remember using it though. A long Kel-Lite was more effective.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

...I'm surprised that a police department could afford a Case.

Must have been confiscated from a criminal. [emoji23][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]


Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[Lt JL]

And how many timeswere we told that our portable was not an impact weapon? Remember those old Motorola Bricks?

 

[824tsv]

Kel-Lite Industries, Barstow California

bgrafsr mentions "A long Kel-Lite was more effective."

This thread and comments bring back a lot of memories. I rode a Motor for most of my 37 years of service. I carried a P.D. issued leather sap in that small back "billie club" pocket. Also had that Kel-Lite that bgrafsr mentions. I know I still have the threaded 4 cell extension somewhere in a box but I still use the flashlight.....but for a more civilized purpose now.

 

[Conklin]

On that note I’m still seeking my issued Colt Detective Special, Serial # 689642, that I had to use in a 1974 gun fight w/armed robbery suspects. It was seized after the incident and I never saw it again. If you have it, or know of its whereabouts, please PM me. I post this every so often on several sites after I retired in ‘97 but so far, nothing. Thanks for your help.

The department has no record what happened to it? Also you can set up searches for "Colt Detective Special Serial 689642" in Google and the gun auction site(s) and you will get a notification if it ever comes up somewhere.

 

[snowman.45]

I started in 1977 with a S&W Model 28 4" in a Bianchi Berns and Martin-style front-break holster, dump pouches (quickly replaced with speed loaders) a CHP blonde oak baton, one set of cuffs, a baton ring and a flashlight ring on my belt; all held in place with belt keepers. We had sap pockets in our uniform pants and we all wore sap gloves. I've still got that old "245" sap around somewhere. Saps were good, but in a bar room fight, the sap gloves were most effective.

 

[DWalt]

The one I have from my uncle is a solid piece of lead about the size of your thumb. The base of it is a heavy duty spring and the whole thing is wrapped in heavy leather. No beads there. I occasionally bring it in to my high school law enforcement wanna-be’s A quick flick of the wrist to a desk sounds like a cannon. The kids jump. I never tell them it’s coming. The whole point of the thing.

Many years ago my Grandpa carried a blackjack just like that. He wasn't a cop but in his line of work he was often involved with troublesome characters (he ran a bar). He probably didn't need it often as he was one of those guys you instinctively know you don't want to mess with if you value your teeth. Two things he always carried were his blackjack and his pocket watch. I have no idea what happened to his blackjack after he died over 50 years ago, but I still have his Illinois pocket watch.

 

[cmj8591]

And how many timeswere we told that our portable was not an impact weapon? Remember those old Motorola Bricks?

Or the 5 cell Mag Lite!

 

[snowman.45]

In the mid 70's in my old department, we only had one hand-held Motorola brick, and it was carried by the Sergeant. By 1980, there were enough to go around for a shift (4). As a result, you had better not use it as an impact weapon. However, the Mag Lites, Kel Lites and Streamlites (when they came available) were often used. It was a natural; at night, they were always in your hand.

 

[Toyman]

I had a commercial model 1917 that showed shipped to LAPD, one in a group of 25 in May 1931 as I remember. At the same time LAPD ordered 25 Colt New Service revolvers in 45 ACP.

 

[LoadedRound]

Thanks for the post and pictures.

I especially like the "police interceptor" and "K9"

 

[ordnanceguy]

I've not seen a gun lettering to LAPD, but I ain't seen 'em all.

Hi John:

Yep, documented LAPD guns seem to be very scarce. I am fortunate to have one, but purely because of my long time interest in the Victory Model. I have a pre-Victory in the 991000 range which lettered as having shipped to the Los Angeles Police Department in May, 1942. I don't have a scan of the letter handy or else I would post it for you.

 

[Buford57]

I was briefly in possession of a M15 marked OCMD (Orange County Marshal's Department). I had recovered it from a traveling criminal who had stolen it from a deputy's personal vehicle. That was in the mid-80s. It is my understanding that the Marshal's Department has since been merged into the SO.


Kelitis - a painful condition of the joints and long bones resulting from fighting with the police.

 

[Old cop]

The department has no record what happened to it? Also you can set up searches for "Colt Detective Special Serial 689642" in Google and the gun auction site(s) and you will get a notification if it ever comes up somewhere.

Thanks for this heads-up on Google, I’ll give it a try. I’ve posted on the Colt site, as well as a few others, w/o success. My agency’s records do not go back that far but I suspect the gun was traded on a new S&W after all the legal stuff was done.

 

[Doug M.]

Which is silly - if one studies the actual legal standards, the odds of a firearm being evidence in an OIS are very slim. The overwhelming majority of the time, the firearm should be inspected, cleaned, and issued back to the officer within a few hours. Member "Nyeti" has written some good material on this issue and after I considered the facts and the legal standards applicable (Evidence Rules), I concluded he was correct. It's not even complicated.

 

[bgrafsr]

In the mid 70's in my old department, we only had one hand-held Motorola brick, and it was carried by the Sergeant. By 1980, there were enough to go around for a shift (4). As a result, you had better not use it as an impact weapon. However, the Mag Lites, Kel Lites and Streamlites (when they came available) were often used. It was a natural; at night, they were always in your hand.

I had a Streamlight SL20, and I put an SL35 bulb in it. Talk about lighting up the night.