Model 15-3: Texas D.P.S. anyone?

[Absalom]

The picture below is a snip showing a detail from a Model 15-3 dating to 1970, being offered as a former Texas Department of Public Safety issue. I know the photo is lousy and out of focus, but it's the only one showing the marking.
After doing a bit of research in various LE and gun forums, it's obvious the 15-3 was wildly popular as a service gun at that time everywhere in the country, but for Texas DPS, I consistently find mention of only the Model 28 for Troopers and the Model 19 for Rangers, no mention ever of a Model 15 issue. Based on descriptions, the marking in the photo "D.P.S. 0514" seems to be in the right place for Texas, but Texas probably wasn't/isn't the only state using the generic term "Department of Public Safety".
I'd appreciate any insights.

 

[DWalt]

Likewise, I have not seen a DPS-stamped Model 15. But that doesn't mean they don't exist. You may wish to contact the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. They have about anything the Rangers (which are a part of DPS) ever used, and then some. The Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas | Ranked one of the Best Texas Museums | Western History Museum

 

[CajunBass]

I used to have one with that marking on it. I was told that it could have been either the Texas or Arizona Department of Public Safety.

 

[Sgt 127]

I would swear Texas DPS used model 28's in that time frame. Pistol team? Female officer that couldn't wrap her hands around an N frame? Anything is possible.

 

[L Pete]

If it was Texas, it would be stamped "T.D.P.S.". As a former LEO in Texas of that time period, I can say that I've never seen any D. P. S. personnel with a Model 15 or any other .38 Special. Their pistol team members were issued Pythons, and some Driver's License Troopers were issued Colt Troopers, but mostly everyone in uniform carried a Model 28. Rangers and other plain clothes officers were issued Model 19s, either in the 4" version or the 2.5" version. But no .38 Specials that I ever saw or was aware of.

 

[dpsmousegunner]

DPS marked model 15

AZ DPS model 15's were marked in this manner, and were surplused when the agency went to Sig's.

 

[trooper6b]

Texas DPS used an agency code "405" when they placed inventory numbers on firearms unless issued before 1957. They did issue some S&W model 10 snub nose in the 60's and 70's to plain clothes agents but no inventory number was placed on the firearm.

I do not think your firearm was issued by the Texas DPS.

 

[Absalom]

Thanks for everyone's contributions! I think the Texas connection is dead, and Arizona is the likely perpetrator.
By the way, if you ever want to know ANYTHING about Texas Ranger guns, follow the link provided by DWalt above and use the e-mail provided to contact the museum. Those guys are awesome. Within a day, I got a lengthy personal response from the executive director who obviously had also consulted with others there, and not only confirmed that the Rangers didn't use Model 15s, but also provided a ton of extra background on Rangers' gun choices over the years.

 

[rossgn]

I have a Model 19 with 2 1/2" barrel issued to Texas Auto Theft Investigator in 1979. It is stamped "DPS xxxxx". Issued with Pachmayr grips.

 

[usmc2427765]

Always try to find the " blue card" when buying TX DPS weapons, this was the registration card that noted the weapon serial number and who it was issued to.