Model 29-2 Louisville Div. of Police

[coneten]

This one is marked with the shield and Louisville Div. of Police. Nice high polish blue at about 95%, pinned and recessed, 4 inch barrel, .44 Magnum. SN# is N135721. Target hammer and trigger. I have some target grips to replace the Pachmar wrap arounds. After talking with a few retired LEO's from the area it seems these were controversial because of the "Dirty Harry" syndrome and certain parties were very unhappy with the caliber.. The officers were allowed chamber .44 Specials but not .44 Magnums. Conflicting info though. One retired LEO stated that the officers had to purchase their own side arms. Another said that only 100 were issued. Still a beast of a revolver. I will attempt to post pics later.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

A letter from S&W would tell you if it was made for the Dept and/or where it was shipped to.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Sound's neat! I really like ex police service gun's and a department marked 29 would be cool!

 

[Dennis The B]

The issue revolver for the Louisville PD was the Model 10 or M&P, chambered in .38 Special, at least in the '60's. The serial number of your revolver would place it in 1973.

Officers could purchase and carry revolvers chambered in .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and .45 Colt. Only .38 Special and .44 Special cartridges with lead bullets could be carried. The .38 Special was a 158gr round-nose lead.

There was rampant fear in city government that a .357 magnum miss would go through a wall and kill someone ten blocks away.

It was odd, because the Jefferson County Police were already carrying S&W Model 19's and Colt Pythons (officer-purchased), loaded with JHP ammunition.

 

[coneten]

Dennis the B, Thanks for your excellent information. I guess many of the officers opted to remove the wooden target grips and go for Pachmars or Hogues. I have one of the LDP marked .38's as wel.l