Model 68, "CHP/OHB" Any info is helpful.

[FedCop]

I have acquired a kind of rare S&W. Not worth a lot of money, but after attempting some serious research, I have discovered it was a “Limited” run of stainless 6”, issued to the “California Highway Patrol”, from 1977 to 1988.
It is a S&W, Model 68. It looks just like my mdl. 66 (4”), except it has a 6” bbl and is a .38 Spl and the ejector rod is shrouded. From my findings, on the right side of the frame, under the cylinder it has been over stamped and now reads “OHB”. It used to read “CHP”.
According to my Dad’s older S&W book, there were a limited amount manufactured by S&W for the “CHP” and LAPD”, they were the models, 68, 68-1 and 68-2’s starting in 1977. This one is a mdl 68 with NO dash.
When I first started looking for info on it, people would ask about it and others said things like, “Better check your model number again; no such animal as a S&W M68”. So, I started questioning whether it was a legit S&W, or if someone just stamped a random model number on it. But the more I researched and the limited info I could find on it, proved it was a “Legit” handgun. I think of my Dad as the “S&W guru”, because everything I have learned about S&W’s, I have learned from him. He did not know it existed either until about a week ago when I showed him pictures of it.
I have since then purchased it and added it to my collection, so, if ANYONE has an “Original, CHP”, or an over stamped “OHB” one, please share pics and how you came to find it, because how I found this one, was strictly by chance.
As soon as I can figure out how to post pics, I will post them.

 

[FedCop]

Pics of Model 68

Here are some pics of the Model 68.

 

[shawn mccarver]

It sounds like you have most of the info on the 68, which is a real S&W. The only other thing that comes to mind is that there were, in addition to the duty guns, commemoratives made for LAPD and CHP, if I recall, and those shipped in the S&W wooden box of the period.

 

[FedCop]

I saw one for sale on "Gunbroker" for $1100, but I only wanted the ones that were carried during that era. I would love to get a hold of one with the "LAPD" stamp, or one like mine that was NOT over stamped.
But like I said, I came upon this one by chance and have not seen another besides the (1) "Commemorative" model.

 

[weatherby]

It sounds like you have most of the info on the 68, which is a real S&W. The only other thing that comes to mind is that there were, in addition to the duty guns, commemoratives made for LAPD and CHP, if I recall, and those shipped in the S&W wooden box of the period.

You recall correctly

 

[murphydog]

You will find guns sold "out of service" via the CHP overstamped as OHB, and ones sold by individuals (like CHP retirees) without the overstamp. The LAPD duty versions will sometimes have the officer's badge number stamped on the sideplate and were converted to DAO.

Not all of these threads pertain, but enjoy!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...6827:siodb9lchnk&cof=FORID:9&q=model+68&sa=Go

 

[RWJ]

I have one down in my safe that is a -2 overstamp with a 12K serial # that I bought off Gunbroker sometime before Jan 2011, which is the oldest dated inventory list I can find. 2009 or 2010 is very likely the time frame, and I paid a princely $450 for it at the time. I just had to have it for my 60s series collection. Of course, now they've come out with the Model 69, so I'm going to have to break down and buy one...

I saw one for sale on "Gunbroker" for $1100, but I only wanted the ones that were carried during that era. I would love to get a hold of one with the "LAPD" stamp, or one like mine that was NOT over stamped.
But like I said, I came upon this one by chance and have not seen another bsides the (1) "Commemorative" model.

 

[PR24]

That is odd since the ones I've seen have the CHP 'winged wheel' in the right side & cursive CALFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL on the barrel's right side. Perhaps this was just a duty gun that happened to be the unusual 68? The post about LAPD being DAO is correct as that's been rule there for many many years.

Time to get the letter from S&W to know for sure.

I'm amused by the Internet commandos who assume that California agencies use .357 magnums. Wrong! .38spl was king over there forever. .357 mags were certainly used by Arizona coppers back in the day. LAPD has never used .357 & still does not approve it for OD/BU.

 

[murphydog]

"That is odd since the ones I've seen have the CHP 'winged wheel' in the right side & cursive CALFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL on the barrel's right side. Perhaps this was just a duty gun that happened to be the unusual 68?"

Correct; as Shawn mentioned above there is a CHP commemorative model 68 with the case and markings you describe, and the OP's was a service issued version.

 

[Doug M.]

IIRC, Scott Reitz shows his M68 a few times in his recent book. Contact him through his training company (ITTS) and he can probably fill you in on some of the back stories with LAPD and the M68.

 

[Marvin Gardens]

I have a few Model 68's and displayed them at the 2013 S&WCA Annual Meeting.

I have a California Highway Patrol issued Model 68 without the "OHB" overstamp that I purchased from a retired CHP officer.

The CHP gun with the winged wheel and "California Highway Patrol" on the barrel is the commemorative model.

The LAPD model was never issued by the department but was available through the pro shop at the LAPD academy. Mine has a LAPD Lieutenant's badge stamped on the sideplate but the area of the badge number has not been filled in. I bought it NIB some years ago.

All three of my guns started out as Model 66 frames with the Model 68 designations stamped over the 66 markings.

I hope this helps.

Regards.

Bob

 

[hoss@fol43]

The Model 68 and the CHP commemorative are two different guns. The model 68 was issued to CHP officers and was stamped CHP while the commemorative was marked differently and was avaliable commercially. Officers had the option of purchasing their 68 when they retired. Smaller statured male officers and some female officers were issued model 67's both with and without the CHP marking, most without. After the CHP switched over to the 4006 semi-auto's, 68's in inventory were sold by the state, but they had to be overstamped OHB as the agency did not want to appear that they were selling guns to the public. All state agencies did this including Corrections ( that's where all the 2" model 64's that belonged to paroles came from), State Parks, DOJ etc. In fact CDC got into a bit of trouble when it was discovered that they were selling HK 94's which Ca. determined was an "assault rifle" and they had to be subsequently sold overseas. Once again your tax dollars at work in Kaleefornia...

 

[Absalom]

I'm amused by the Internet commandos who assume that California agencies use .357 magnums. Wrong! .38spl was king over there forever. .357 mags were certainly used by Arizona coppers back in the day. LAPD has never used .357 & still does not approve it for OD/BU.

I don't know about the LAPD, but that's not quite correct for California. The CHP authorized .357s and allowed officers to purchase and carry those as they became available in the 1930s. Authorized firearms for CHP officers during most of the revolver era were 6-inch barrelled S&W or Colt in .38spl or .357. For the latter, officers had to buy their own ammo as the CHP only provided .38 practice and duty ammo.
For example, of the four CHP officers killed at the Newhall shooting in 1970, two were armed with 6-inch .357 Pythons and one with a 6-inch S&W 19-2 .357; only one had a .38spl, a Colt Officers Model Match. In the various reports, all .357s were specifically referred to as being loaded with full-power WW .357 Magnum JHP loads. This would indicate a decided preference for the .357 when officers could choose.
CHP did not mandate the .38spl +P+ Treasury load for all duty carry until about 1975. It remained that then until the switch to the .40 pistols.

 

[okiegtrider]

I happened onto a model 68 just today in a local gun shop. It was new in a wreck of a box. It appears that is has never been used.

Guy at the gun shop explained that it had remained in the box for about thirty years and the previous owner had moved a number of times. I guess the gun shop guy felt like he had to offer up something for the appearance of the box.

This gun was marked LAPD down the side of the barrel. Again, sales guy offered that this was an unissued LAPD gun. Looks more like some kind of commemorative to me.

It was an interesting gun, it looks like the "68" is overstamped. I'll try to drop by that shop and grab a couple photos to post here.

I ran across this post in an old forum looking for information on the 68. It explains very well the gun I saw today.

"Michael Rogers
June 1, 2009, 05:43 PM
Hi Guys
I'd like to clear up a few misconceptions posted here. I'm a retired LAPD Sergeant..29 years.
First LAPD did not buy or issue the model 68. It was sold to Officers through the Revolver & Athletic Club at the Academy. If the officer wanted to carry the weapon on or off duty they had to register it at the LAPD Armory and have the single action feature removed so it fired double action only.
I'm looking at my neutered weapon now and it has an 8 stamped over the 6. There is a -2 after the stamp over. On the right side of the barrel "LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT' is stamped and the other side is "Smith & Wesson on top of .38 S & W SPECIAL CARTRIDGE"
LAPD never authorized the carry of any Magnum chambered revolver. In the early to mid 70's there were rumors about a certain 77th St Sergeant who I will not name that "hot loaded the 38 158 RNL ammo, and there were numerous ammo inspections at the time to "ferret" out any unauthorized ammo.
The photo offered by Professor Frink is accurate and as you can see on the original box it shows its for a 38 Special.
The reason I stumbled on this Forum is I was just notified today that one of my 68's was recovered today. I loaned it to my Nephew 15 years ago and he was Burglarized and the weapon stolen. I was trying to try to find a current value for the weapon. I havn't seen it yet so I do not know the condition."

 

[Colokeb]

Here is a pair of "unmolested" CHP's once owned by the armorer of CHP. 67 + 68

Even nicer triggers than you would expect. Wonder why?

 

[Texas Star]

No one has ever said here if the M-68 is heat treated to the same standards as was Model 66, for .357 pressures. My guess is that they used M-67 .38 cylinders.

I realize that most buying them are collectors. But if one wants to use it with hotter loads, that might be a good question.

However, S&W has stated that ANY steel framed S&W .38 gun marked with a model number is safe with Plus P ammo, so it may be a moot point.

I suspect that the Buffalo Bore ammo that approximates the old .38-44 ammo but with a better bullet might be a top defensive or hunting round in these guns.

That said, they are still .38 K-frames and frequent use of Plus P ammo will prematurely loosen them. For the same reason, the Model 66 should be used only in moderation with .357 and hot Plus P .38 ammo.

Unless one is a collector, the Model 66 is the preferable gun. Same look, plus .357 capability when really wanted. Only if I was a security officer limited to a .38 would I hunt for a Mod. 68. The gun probably is a little easier to shoot well than a shorter M-67 and it has that enclosed extractor rod...and a high "cool" factor.

 

[Engine49guy]

I saw a Model marked 68 in a gunstore a few years ago but passed.

The Model 66 frame is longer in the yoke to mate to the underlug barrel and so it makes sense S&W would have pulled standard Model 66 K Magnum frames overstamped the Model number and fit a Model 67 cylinder,

The pictures above have a gap between the frame and blast shield suggesting the cylinder is standard Model 64 or 67 fare and not recessed .

The underlug (Model 66 ) barrels would have had to been cut with a longer forcing cone to mate with the short .38 special cylinder as well.

 

[jcelect]

Modn 68

I acquired a "CHP" stamped gun from someone in Calif. back in 2001 for a very reasonable amount. In researching this model I have not found any more info than the OP! I did find some production quantity info!
1977=771 1978=256 1979=587 1981=3 1983=500 1984=192 1985=2725 1988=1021
jcelect

 

[Gunhacker]

The Model 68 and the CHP commemorative are two different guns. The model 68 was issued to CHP officers and was stamped CHP while the commemorative was marked differently and was avaliable commercially. Officers had the option of purchasing their 68 when they retired. Smaller statured male officers and some female officers were issued model 67's both with and without the CHP marking, most without. After the CHP switched over to the 4006 semi-auto's, 68's in inventory were sold by the state, but they had to be overstamped OHB as the agency did not want to appear that they were selling guns to the public. All state agencies did this including Corrections ( that's where all the 2" model 64's that belonged to paroles came from), State Parks, DOJ etc. In fact CDC got into a bit of trouble when it was discovered that they were selling HK 94's which Ca. determined was an "assault rifle" and they had to be subsequently sold overseas. Once again your tax dollars at work in Kaleefornia...

There are 2 different "CHP" commemoratives too.... There was a Model 19-4 CHP 50 Year Commemorative and a M68-2 California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) Commemorative... although technically the M68-2 is not CHP per se, as it's the commemorative for the labor organization (POA) that represents CHP officers in collective bargaining with the State.

 

[CALREB]

Lots of good info here, Saw several references to LAPD NEVER authorizing a 357 magnum for a duty gun. BUT for a few years LAPD did authorize officers to carry 357 revolvers (just 38 ammo). I spoke to a young man just a couple days ago ( he signed on in 1964) immediately bought a Colt Python and had his name and serial engraved on the underlug. Said they could only carry 38 ammo, but most kept 6 magnums in their pocket. He couldnt remember when exactly they were taken away and the Model 14 , 6" became the gun of choise, with others buying 38/44 "outdoorsman" 5" to replace their model 27s. Those were on the approved list till just a couple years ago.
I also know that I have seen many 3-5" 27s cross the bench in my early armory days ,early 90s, most to have a little work done before the officer retired as guys were wanting to get rid of them.Wish I had looked at them a little closer now.