LAPD and the 1917

[tennexplorer]

Sorry, I got nothing on that document. But I would also love to see that, as well as the 1925 survey of what variety the officers carried back then.

By the way, the chief in 1938 was not "David Davidson", but James Davis, better known as "Two Gun Davis".

A real force in modernizing the LAPD, but politically also one of the most corrupt chiefs they ever had.

Interestingly, that photo was cropped and used in the intro to the "Southland" TV series.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAZ2tdUUS94[/ame]

 

[MG34/bar]

"Dump1567": No sorry I don't remember the serial number, and the letter went with the revolver when I sold it. That was more than 35 years ago.

Joe

 

[Dump1567]

"Dump1567": No sorry I don't remember the serial number, and the letter went with the revolver when I sold it. That was more than 35 years ago.

Joe

No worries.

I've got my letter request ready to send out.

 

[Modified]

IIRC, I think I heard something about those being wax bullets.

They were in fact...not.

I need to find it, but I have a newspaper article about it somewhere. In one of those exhibitions the shooter (who I think was the Chief at the time) missed, and hit the guy holding the chalk or card, I forget which, in the hand.

 

[SG-688]

This is an excerpt from an LAPD history page.
=============================

In 1926, Chief James Davis was instrumental in the development and the formalizing of training for officers. The first such training was held in an armory downtown, where officers were instructed in all aspects of criminal justice and street police training. However, no firearms training was provided, except for a makeshift firing range behind the Lincoln Heights station.

In 1931, Chief Davis set his sights on obtaining an area in the City of Los Angeles that would provide a formal shooting range for firearms instruction, qualification (including a bonus shoot) and shooting practice.

Chief Davis put out a call throughout the Department for any officers skilled in building, and in electrical and plumbing installation. Sgt. Henry Fricket, assigned Lincoln Heights Station, was the first officer to answer the call. He applied his expertise in carpentry, constructing a 25-yard enclosed pit area, target frames, and firing points.

The Department finally had a place to improve one's shooting skills with the newly approved .45 caliber revolver.

In early 1931, eight officers formed a competitive pistol (revolver) team. The "Bulls Eye" shooting specialists were Chief James Davis, and Officers Stanley Stone, Jack Bartley, Joe Dircks, Bud Buchanan, R. J. Ward, J.J. Engbecht, and Mark Wheeler.

The 25-yard range design and construction was professionally laid out and so complete that it was chosen as the venue for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games pistol competition.

In the fall of 1934, the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club filed and obtained legal status. It then took on the responsibility of maintaining the Academy grounds.

 

[SG-688]

I have an article from 1972 reporting on LAPD pistol team officers conducting indoor firing demonstrations with various trick shots at Basic Car Plan meetings that will be familiar to fans of Adam-12.

Officers fired regular wadcutter .38 target ammunition with a backstop made from multiple sheets of aluminum pressed to a 1/2 inch thickness. (Beats me)

 

[SG-688]

Clark 999 holster for 5.5 inch .45

The original design Clark 999 spring crossdraw holster was patented in 1930.

This one, marked 5.5 and .45, fits both Colt and S&W 1917 revolvers, suggesting production for LAPD.

Also seen in the original Dragnet being used by Ben Alexander with a 6 inch M&P dragging down Ben's skinny belt.

 

[Muley Gil]

The original design Clark 999 spring crossdraw holster was patented in 1930.

This one, marked 5.5 and .45, fits both Colt and S&W 1917 revolvers, suggesting production for LAPD.

Also seen in the original Dragnet being used by Ben Alexander with a 6 inch M&P dragging down Ben's skinny belt.

Judging by the inspector's mark on the right side, that is a 1909 Colt .45.

 

[Absalom]

...
That's an interesting photo and backstops his ability with firearms. Near his badge, he wears the civilian issue of either the DCM Distinguished Pistol Shot or the Distinguished Rifleman badge. I'm not sure what the second badge is, but it's some sort of shooting medal probably.
....

Here's another tidbit about Davis, supporting your observations:

Davis and two policewomen in July 1935 with confiscated guns. The blurb with the photo says in part:

The June 21, 1949, Los Angeles Times obituary on Chief James Davis mentioned that, "In 1932 he won both the right-hand and left-hand pistol championship of the United States."

....David Davidson followed Jim Davis as chief in November 1938 until June 1939 when new Mayor Fletcher Bowen implemented new anti-corruption policies in the Chief's selection practices.

Good catch. I'd completely forgotten about this. And I've read Buntin's book a few times, the only place where the whole context is actually explained. Davidson was acting chief after Davis resigned and refused to apply for the permanent position, which is probably why Davis' term is usually given as going until 1939, when Hohmann started.

 

[AJ]

Judging by the inspector's mark on the right side, that is a 1909 Colt .45.

I have one of those and I believe you do too.

 

[SG-688]

Judging by the inspector's mark on the right side, that is a 1909 Colt .45.

Tough crowd!

My holster but not my revolvers. We hurriedly grabbed a couple off the rack for pictures that day.

 

[jpage]

Interesting photo of Chief Davis with the 1921s. The Chiefs secretary is aiming at his head.

 

[SG-688]

LAPD 1930's pistol team

Second from right in the "gun squad" may be J.J. Engbright/Engbrecht.
Any guesses on the others?

Don Nowka, the son of RJ Nowka, was the winner of Jeff Cooper's first Leatherslap contest.

 

[Joe Kent]

Muley Gil, you have a good eye. You are absolutely correct! All my best my Friend, Joe.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have one of those and I believe you do too.

I used to have a US ARMY 1909 revolver that had been cut to 4". Wish I still had it.

 

[AJ]

I used to have a US ARMY 1909 revolver that had been cut to 4". Wish I still had it.

Mine is an Army model also, but it has been rebarreled with a Colt New Service barrel.

 

[824tsv]

SG-688

In your 1st pic in post#53 the Officers on the left are wearing different colour uniforms. Can you explain the difference please.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Speaking of police officers maintaining their revolvers back in the day -

When I was a kid, a policeman named John Slaughter lived 2 doors up the street from where we lived. He was the son of famed southeastern Arizona sheriff John Slaughter (Sr.), who was renowned for tracking bad guys, returning to say that he couldn't find them, but they were never heard from again....

About once a month, we would hear six gunshots in the neighborhood. I asked my dad about it, and why there was never any investigation on the shots.

He replied that officer Slaughter wanted to be damn sure about his revolver and its ammo. He would test both periodically by firing his gun into the ground in his back yard - six shots. Those who lived nearby all knew about his practice, and learned to pay no attention to it. I assumed that he refreshed his gun with newer ammo and cleaned/maintained his revolver after each shooting...

John Slaughter Jr., our neighboring cop, had a son, also named John, who was a grade school classmate of mine. My best friend and I once visited him in their house where he showed us his .22 rifle, carelessly covering us with the muzzle. My friend and I excused ourselves and exited the house quickly - both of us were well schooled in safely handling firearms, and little Johnny evidently and strangely had not been.

John

 

[smithra_66]

I'm thinking late '70s-early '80s.

It probably coincided with the switch from DA revolvers to auto pistols.

Having a finger on the trigger of a DA revolver (or SA for that matter from times even further back) wasn't nearly as big a deal as a cocked hammer fired or striker fired auto pistol.

 

[UFGator]

Now we know where all the brass knuckles went. The chief looks like he is staring right down the bore of that Thompson. The evolution of LAPD is incredibly interesting. From corruption to incredible professionalism to whatever today.