Looking for tips on collecting pd revolvers

[Marshal Amp]

I've been getting more and more interested in collecting old police revolvers but wouldn't know what to look for, or even where to start.
I would appreciate any advice /Tips anyone has on collecting police revolvers. Are there any books on the subject

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I had the same thought several years ago, but if you read through the thread I linked below you will see you need to have some deep pockets and real patience. I have since limited my PD collecting to PA State Police issued weapons.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/116848-collecting-pd-guns.html

Lots of guys here are interested in the subject so you should get some good feedback.

Good luck.

 

[Marshal Amp]

Thanks Speedgunner. that's a daunting list. what got me interested was reading up on the Adam 12 revolvers and the LA PD "Neutered" their pistols by bobbing the hammers. thought it would be fun trying to collect some of those old firearms. I don't have deep pockets so I was hoping that cost wouldn't be prohibitive.

 

[Bekeart]

collecting old police revolvers

Have LOTS of money you don't need for useless things like food, rent, utilities ...

I suggest selecting a more specific sub group.
State / Region / Specific Model / Specific Caliber / FACTORY DAO

That should give you some ideas.

*****

Even out of a specific collecting category you may find some you would want. e.g. A department marked revolver offered at a bargain/fair price for the same model without any department markings.

Bekeart

 

[Marshal Amp]

Have LOTS of money you don't need for useless things like food, rent, utilities ...

I suggest selecting a more specific sub group.
State / Region / Specific Model / Specific Caliber / FACTORY DAO

That should give you some ideas.

*****

Even out of a specific collecting category you may find some you would want. e.g. A department marked revolver offered at a bargain/fair price for the same model without any department markings.

Bekeart

Gotcha.
it's funny how things come around but just saw a link on another thread that had a Mi State police 640 turn-in for sale; it was tempting.
I was thinking I might need to narrow my field a bit. maybe try to acquire a LE sample from all the classic tv shows.
My problem is that I'm no expert and without a factory letter, the provenance will be suspect. I sense that there's a lot of studying to do.

 

[Bekeart]

maybe try to acquire a LE sample from all the classic tv shows.

Better stay with shows for later or more recent years.

Texas Ranges and Gunsmoke could wipe out the budget quicker than Charmin.

Bekeart

 

[Marshal Amp]

Better stay with shows for later or more recent years.

Texas Ranges and Gunsmoke could wipe out the budget quicker than Charmin.

Bekeart

LOL. yeah, not happening (as long as I'm married) I was thinking more along the lines of Mayberry

 

[trigger945]

Not sure that I have any specific advice to help you easily secure those police-issued revolvers. It is a different challenge in itself. I only heard some of them from here and I am not sure if there are any books.

I chanced upon two of them - a no dash Model 66 with "S.D. SHERIFF" and a Model 67-1 with "O.H.B." (used to be "C.H.P.") right below the cylinder on the left side. A 3rd one subsequently joined - a Model 68-2 for LAPD.

I guess I can claim that I am limiting my search of revolvers issued to California agencies only, lol. Good luck!

 

[Marshal Amp]

Thanks Trigger.
that helps. at least in showing how difficult this pursuit could be.
I guess no one's flooding the market with counterfeit stamped Revolvers then.

 

[murphydog]

Thanks Speedgunner. that's a daunting list. what got me interested was reading up on the Adam 12 revolvers and the LA PD "Neutered" their pistols by bobbing the hammers. thought it would be fun trying to collect some of those old firearms. I don't have deep pockets so I was hoping that cost wouldn't be prohibitive.

There are a few former LAPD officers here that can chime in, but I believe the LAPD removed the single action capability but not the hammer spur. For several years NYPD used DAO model 64s that lost both SA and the spur.

A good starter collection idea would be to find examples of all five NY-1 stamped revolvers (model 64 2" RB, 3" RB, and 4" RB and SB, and the model 60 2"). They are still out there at somewhat reasonable prices. Enjoy the search!

 

[Marshal Amp]

There are a few former LAPD officers here that can chime in, but I believe the LAPD removed the single action capability but not the hammer spur. For several years NYPD used DAO model 64s that lost both SA and the spur.

A good starter collection idea would be to find examples of all five NY-1 stamped revolvers (model 64 2" RB, 3" RB, and 4" RB and SB, and the model 60 2"). They are still out there at somewhat reasonable prices. Enjoy the search!

thanks for the tip! I like that suggestion.
and after I'm done I can go Serpico and replace 'em with a BHP

 

[Marvin Gardens]

OTOH, if you don't get too specific, you could narrow your focus to just S&W guns marked for law enforcement agencies. That is sort of what I have done. I've managed to pick up a few here and there. Every gun from every agency results in a new history search.

So far.
Mississippi Highway Patrol Registered Magnum
California Highway Patrol Model 68 (with no "OHB" overstamp).
California Department of Corrections Model 10
California Highway Patrol Remington Model 870
LAPD Model 68
New York State Police Model 28
South Carolina Highway Patrol 2 1/2" 66
Houston Police Department Model 1926 .44 Special
United States Navy Civilian Police Corps Military & Police

It's not a huge collection nor is it my specialty. I just find them interesting and will pick them up if I have the cash when one comes along.

Original badges and period patches to go along with the guns can cost more than the guns do.

Regards.

Bob

 

[Absalom]

As long as you are not a "condition Nazi" , it can be a relatively cheap and easy pursuit, especially if you focus on revolvers with wooden stocks. The latter is what I look at first when I peruse M&P/Model 10 listings on Gunbroker. The distinct asymmetrical wear pattern of a duty gun is easy to recognize, even if there is no marking. I haven't been wrong yet. Heavily worn 10-6's from any seller in the NY area are very likely to letter to the NYPD Equipment Bureau. Unmarked guns are a bit of a gamble, but I like the element of surprise. A Colt DS I bought out of SoCal lettered to PA State Police. An M&P from Reno lettered to Minneapolis PD. It's a fun game. And not very expensive compared to buying high-condition safe queens.

 

[diamondhead]

LAPD 870 overstamp

I have a 1967 LAPD 870 remington overstamp

 

[lamarw]

I am not a Law Enforcement firearm collector. I am simply an accumulator of various firearms when I see what I consider a good deal.

The following is a list of LE trade-ins I have accumulated:

SHOTGUNS:

MOSSBERG MODEL 500 ATP SHOTGUN - ALABAMA STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

REMINGTON MODEL 870 SHOTGUN - TALLASSEE, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

REMINGTON MODEL 870TB SHOTGUN - RULEVILLE, MS


PISTOLS:

SIG SAUER MODEL P220 ST .45 ACP - SCOTTSBORO, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

SIG SAUER MODEL P226 9mm - PELHAM, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

SIG SAUER MODEL P226 .40 S&W - AUBURN, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

SIG SAUER MODEL P229 .40 S&W - OPELIKA, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

BERETTA MODEL 96 .40 S&W - RULEVILLE, MISSISSIPPI POLICE DEPARTMENT


REVOLVERS:

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 686 .357 MAGNUM - MEMPHIS, TN POLICE DEPARTMENT

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10 (NO DASH) .38 SPECIAL - MONTGOMERY, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10-5 .38 SPECIAL - QUINNETT, GA POLICE DEPARTMENT

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 10-5 FACTORY NICKEL .38 SPECIAL - QUINNETT, GA POLICE DEPARTMENT

SMITH & WESSON MODE 10-6 .38 SPECIAL - MOBILE, AL POLICE DEPARTMENT SWAT

The only one of the above marked as a law enforcement firearm is the Model 10 no dash. The rest were obtained from a law enforcement distributor, and I have a record of where they came from in my purchase documents. It is possible some of these were not actually LE guns but acquired in confiscations or other means and traded-in.

The "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Surpica and Nahaus does show pictures and information on various former marked S&W LE firearms. It could be a starter to attempt in making a collection list.