Model 37 for Peru's FBI -- UPDATE, with a twist

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm not sure our FBI is the absolute correct equivalent, but it's probably close.

The inscription on the side plate reads "Policia de Investigaciones del Peru."

I picked it up during set up on Friday at the Wyoming Weapons Collectors annual show in Riverton, Wyo.

The SCSW, 3rd Ed., says it's one of 250. Thanks to SASABERANGER for looking that up in his book.

It's as new in the box. The SPEC ORD code suggests 1981.

I've documented one previously. It is 40 serial numbers higher with the same SPEC ORD date.

Nice addition to the herd.

 

[demkofour]

Bob, between your incredible find and shamuscull’s recent Pinto find, you two guys are beating me up!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

One of my pal's at the show reminded me of the story about the blind squirrel occasionally finding an acorn.

Here's the kicker: The guy I traded with to get it is about 20 years my senior -- he was a science teacher in Riverton High School during my time there, and he's the originator of the Wyoming Weapons Collectors show in Riverton.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

What a cool 37!! I’d love to own that. Is it ok if I ask what you gave for it?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I wholeheartedly support the 1st Amendment so it's certainly okay for you to ask.

I will say this. The only other one I've documented sold on Gun Broker in August 2020 for $1,475. I'm into this one for less than half that amount.

 

[Igiveup]

I had to go look in the safe, and I have the same Peruvian markings on a 10-7 RB, in the box with paper wrap and literature. Congrats on a great find.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

Sounds like an awesome deal. Congrats!

 

[Inland7-45]

Peruvian Model 37

I'm not sure our FBI is the absolute correct equivalent, but it's probably close.

The inscription on the side plate reads "Policia de Investigaciones del Peru."

I picked it up during set up on Friday at the Wyoming Weapons Collectors annual show in Riverton, Wyo.

The SCSW, 3rd Ed., says it's one of 250. Thanks to SASABERANGER for looking that up in his book. My 4th Ed doesn't have that detail.

It's as new in the box. The SPEC ORD code suggests 1981.

I've documented one previously. It is 40 serial numbers higher with the same SPEC ORD date.

Nice addition to the herd.

This is an interesting piece. Is this a contract over run? The reason I ask is the GCA 68 restrictions on importation of short barreled handguns. I believe this also extends to guns made here that were exported as well as foreign made guns. But I may be wrong.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

This is an interesting piece. Is this a contract over run?

Great question, and I don't know, yet.

The seller told me he has a document that discusses the sale to Peru. He told me he'd try to find it and save it for me. We live 50 miles apart.

His story was that S&W shipped the order to Peru without having first been paid. (I have no knowledge of how S&W conducted business, but that sounded a bit fishy.) He added the Peruvian government did not pay for the guns so S&W sent two people to Peru to retrieve the entire order.

I bought the cool gun, not the elaborate story.

 

[Colt191145lover]

Neat find !
I sold one of those at a gun shop I worked at a few years ago .

 

[Walter Rego]

I saw one of the Peruvian marked Model 10-7's at a gun show one time for a reasonable price. You've got to love the llama on the logo. It looked to have been used very little, but also looked it it was tossed loose in a crate with others when they were returned to the US. It had about a dozen little nicks and dings from contact with other guns. I had to pass.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Update with a twist

I used my DuckDuckGo search engine tonight to look up "S&W Model 37, Policia de Investigaciones del Peru."

The search produced three Peruvian marked Model 37s I hadn't previously known about, and a 2021 Morphy Auction for my new Model 37, which included a letter written by Dr. Jinks on Christmas Day 2015. The letter makes no mention of the Peru stamp on the side plate.

Two of the three new serial numbers were in one-piece boxes. One is from the same ACExxxx series as mine, and one is from the previous serial number series -- it is 1J30660, and it has the same SPEC ORD code as mine and the others I've documented.

Here's the link for the Morphy Auction, and I've attached a photo of my gun's portion from Roy's letter.

Lot Detail - (C) SMITH & WESSON MODEL 37 AIRWEIGHT PERUVIAN POLICE MARKED DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH BOX AND FACTORY LETTER.

The mystery continues...