cobra357
Member
Friend has a Model 27-2 marked FHP 12XX. Its a Nickel finish with a 5" barrel. Trying to help him figure a value. Does the FHP marking add provenance? What might it be worth?
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Model 27-2 Fla. Hwy Ptrl. - what's it worth?
- Thread starter cobra357
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Yes it does.
FHP stands for Florida Highway Patrol. Many folks collect police guns and a FHP M27 is a choice find.
FHP stands for Florida Highway Patrol. Many folks collect police guns and a FHP M27 is a choice find.
S&W-Keeper
Member
Saxon Pig, and myself both have one, I believe that they made 500 of them.Mine is number 1503.If it was ever issued, the guy that had it took very good care of it, it looked almost new when I got it. As far as it being worth more than a non FHP model. Mr Pig could probably tell you more.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yup, 500 of them shipped 3/13/75 (I know it says 77 in the photo but that's a typo) to the Department of Public safety in Tallahassee, FL. Mine is marked FHP 1581 but I have no idea how they came up with those numbers since they only got 500 of them.
Police markings turn some collectors on and turn others off (unless it's the FBI on a pre-war gun). I bought this one in 1987 for $215 and it was unfired when I got it.
Police markings turn some collectors on and turn others off (unless it's the FBI on a pre-war gun). I bought this one in 1987 for $215 and it was unfired when I got it.
HAWKEYE10
Member
Mr. Pig it still looks unfired. Nice!Tell your friend that it's worth $300 and buy it.
What are friends for? Ha HA Don
OP
cobra357
Member
He's my pastor. Wouldn't be right especially after "Pastor Appreciation Day." It did cross my mind though.
But seriously would $550-$650 be too low? too high? BTW it is wearing a pair of pachmayr presentation grips.
Don't know if he has original grips.
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I remember reading an article by Ayoob on the Python many years ago. He mentioned that FHP issued it at one time, as did a few other agencies like the Colorado State Patrol. The fact that law enforcement agencies issued premium revolvers like the M27 pictured and the Python amazes me today.
OP
cobra357
Member
Thanks for the info but what might it be worth?
charlie sherrill
Member
Until the crossover to autos the Mississippi Highway Patrol always carried some form of 5" N frame. First up in 1938 were reigstered magnums. Then pre 27's and 27's. One of you Florida guys refresh my memory. At one time didn't the Florida troopers drive black and yellow patrol cars and carry their 27's in a cross draw flap holster?
I have #1621. I brought it to a dealer/range in Brandon about 6 mos ago and he said it had a value of $250, so he would give me $125. No deal. As near as I can figure, $500-600 would be fair. I called Tallahassee and they were no help. Said their records are now on computer and they don't go back that far.
bk43
Member
Charlie, don't know about the holster but the FHP still drives black and yellow. There's even a yellow and black Mustang in the troop where I live.
Regarding the gun, I would be interested to around $550 - 600 and my interest would fall off pretty fast after that. At $750 or above I wouldn't even pick it up for a close look.
Bob
Regarding the gun, I would be interested to around $550 - 600 and my interest would fall off pretty fast after that. At $750 or above I wouldn't even pick it up for a close look.
Bob
OP
cobra357
Member
Just wait til you see the Corvette they have down around Miami.
Engine49guy
Member
I was chattting with a buddy/coworker that quit FHP in 1988 to work for us.
When asked what happened to his issued Smith,
He said they were turned in at resignation but kept their body armor.
Wondering, Did these go out to auction?
I would like to track one down as well, I will have to ask him if retirees got to keep them.
BTW, took their test and Marine patrols as well in 1988, starting pay was $15,000 a year.
Take home car was considered a $5000 taxable bonus as well......
No wonder I went to work for the city,
Our starting pay was a whopping $25,000 .
When asked what happened to his issued Smith,
He said they were turned in at resignation but kept their body armor.
Wondering, Did these go out to auction?
I would like to track one down as well, I will have to ask him if retirees got to keep them.
BTW, took their test and Marine patrols as well in 1988, starting pay was $15,000 a year.
Take home car was considered a $5000 taxable bonus as well......
No wonder I went to work for the city,
Our starting pay was a whopping $25,000 .
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S. Hammer
Member
They still drive black and tan patrol cars. Recently went from all blue lights to an L.E.D. lightbar that has red and blue lights. Don't remember seeing flaps, but they did carry cross draws for their Colts and S&W's in the '70's and early '80's.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I bought mine around 1988 or 89 for $215 from a distributor who had a number of them. maybe all 500. I wish I had bought a couple more.
The last one I saw sell was on Gunbroker about 6 years ago. I was in up to $420 and dropped out. It sold for $425 or $430.
The last one I saw sell was on Gunbroker about 6 years ago. I was in up to $420 and dropped out. It sold for $425 or $430.
00blkgt
Member
Those are some great looking guns!
Vanilla Gorilla
Member
FHP still drives the "bumblebees" and they did, for many years, favor big, shiny guns. A friend started with FHP after a short stint in the Marines in a hot, sweaty place where there was lots of shooting. He remembers first being issued a nickeled Colt .38 Special that was heavily used, then later, he received a 6 inch Python. In the early 90s, the Patrol transitioned to the Beretta 92, and the troopers were given the option of purchasing their issued revolvers. However, the price was enough to make anybody gag in relation to what the troopers made. The price he named was about equivalent to the retail price on a new Python, at the time. Needless to say, many troopers didn't purchase their Pythons and 27s, hence the number of them turning up as trade-ins.
To the poster who called Tallahassee, it's no surprise that that information is not available. I am working off the memories of retired troopers and old, nearly retired troopers myself, in attempting to track down one of the nickeled 5 inch Model 28s. The biggest problem is that very few of the folks I've talked to are "gun guys" and didn't know the difference between the Model 27 and the Model 28.
To the poster who called Tallahassee, it's no surprise that that information is not available. I am working off the memories of retired troopers and old, nearly retired troopers myself, in attempting to track down one of the nickeled 5 inch Model 28s. The biggest problem is that very few of the folks I've talked to are "gun guys" and didn't know the difference between the Model 27 and the Model 28.
I talked to people at the Academy, (that's where the Armorer is) who were nice enough, but not able to track info back that far. Maybe, being in Tallahassee, you might have better luck than I. If so, please me know.
I own a 5" Colt Trooper, the "old style", before the MK III, nickle plated in .357 magnum, which is an ex-Florida Highway Patrol revolver. Serial #5139x and stamped FHP 53x on the butt.
These Colts were "standard issue" for a while in the late 60's(mine was made in 1966). These were the only 5" Troopers ever made(4" and 6" being "standard" options.).
Only reason I knew that they existed was an old Sarco gun parts ad in Gun List, advertising "extra" 5" nickle bbls.(among other NOS Colt parts, about 20 years ago).
Spotted this one at a dealers, and it was wearing "Goodyears"; a quick grip removal revealed the FHP logo that I suspected, and other than the butt, the original nickle was (is) in great shape. Convinced the dealer that it was a "renickle", with the bbl. cut from 6", and that the nickle plated rear sight was evidence. Got the gun for under $300, several years ago, and also talked to the ex-FHP officer, who had retired here to Maine to live with his daughter's family. As I figured, the original rear sight, as well as front sight were factory nickle, and unless "blackened" with black washable "magic marker", give a lousy sight picture in bright light.
Wish I had asked him about the holster/belt type they were issued, but did get the original nickle medallion service stocks from him, as well has the original nickle plated service trigger(he had installed a custom wide spur nickle trigger, because he claimed that the FHP armorers had made the SA pull "heavy" to minimize accidental duscharges. Tests with both triggers prove him correct.
He said that the nickle sights were a a problem(not on the S&Ws with their blued adj. sights) and were usually"blackened" by the officers.
A "scarce" Colt, that will be be one of the last revolvers I get rid of, as I slowly(or "quickly"!!) sell off my collection to selected dealers and auctions. It is a great looking gun(with the service stocks and a highly polished aluminum Tyler T grip), and the 5" bbl. gives it a better balance than either the 4" or 6" bbls.
Wonder if these old Colt troopers were the ".38's" that were mentioned in a couple of earlier posts????
Bud
These Colts were "standard issue" for a while in the late 60's(mine was made in 1966). These were the only 5" Troopers ever made(4" and 6" being "standard" options.).
Only reason I knew that they existed was an old Sarco gun parts ad in Gun List, advertising "extra" 5" nickle bbls.(among other NOS Colt parts, about 20 years ago).
Spotted this one at a dealers, and it was wearing "Goodyears"; a quick grip removal revealed the FHP logo that I suspected, and other than the butt, the original nickle was (is) in great shape. Convinced the dealer that it was a "renickle", with the bbl. cut from 6", and that the nickle plated rear sight was evidence. Got the gun for under $300, several years ago, and also talked to the ex-FHP officer, who had retired here to Maine to live with his daughter's family. As I figured, the original rear sight, as well as front sight were factory nickle, and unless "blackened" with black washable "magic marker", give a lousy sight picture in bright light.
Wish I had asked him about the holster/belt type they were issued, but did get the original nickle medallion service stocks from him, as well has the original nickle plated service trigger(he had installed a custom wide spur nickle trigger, because he claimed that the FHP armorers had made the SA pull "heavy" to minimize accidental duscharges. Tests with both triggers prove him correct.
He said that the nickle sights were a a problem(not on the S&Ws with their blued adj. sights) and were usually"blackened" by the officers.
A "scarce" Colt, that will be be one of the last revolvers I get rid of, as I slowly(or "quickly"!!) sell off my collection to selected dealers and auctions. It is a great looking gun(with the service stocks and a highly polished aluminum Tyler T grip), and the 5" bbl. gives it a better balance than either the 4" or 6" bbls.
Wonder if these old Colt troopers were the ".38's" that were mentioned in a couple of earlier posts????
Bud
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