Model 68 value ? ? ?

[Bekeart]

Searched Gun Broker for recent sale prices.

I know of three different markings:

CHP /OHB / LAPD

Finish could be original Matte or High Polish

Bekeart

I am curious about 38 Specials on what would have been a 357 frame.

 

[jcelect]

Mod 68

CHP = California Highway Patrol, OHB = over stamp, LAPD = Los Angeles Police Dept
The bad guys could use 357 Mag ,or bigger, but the good guys could only carry 38 Spl. I don't understand the mentality, but it's the West Coast! ! !
Number Manufactured
1977 = 771
1978 = 256
1979 = 587
1981 = 3
1983 = 500
1984 = 192
1985 = 2725
1988 = 1021

jcelect

 

[adrianolsen]

Sorry, that's not true. First, there's the original 68, then the dept. Stamped a "O" over the C, and B over the P so the public can buy them. The 68-2 was LAPD. Saw on GB recently one for 2300

 

[snw19_357]

Besides the LAPD 68-2's, there were also CHP commemorative 68-2's.

 

[jcelect]

Sorry, that's not true. First, there's the original 68, then the dept.

Which "dept."? Are you saying the LAPD was the only dept to receive the 68-2, which was the elimination of the pinned barrel and serial numbering system change?
jcelect

 

[glenwolde]

Searched Gun Broker for recent sale prices.

I know of three different markings:

CHP /OHB / LAPD

Finish could be original Matte or High Polish

Bekeart

I am curious about 38 Specials on what would have been a 357 frame.

They were K frames so they were originally .38's anyway. The 68's .357 cousin the Model 66 is more of a .357 on a .38 frame. The 68 just takes it back to its origins.

I guess you could say the .38/44 was a .38 on a .357 frame. But then again the .38/44 came first, so not really. It was really a .38 on a .44 frame, hence the name of course.

The only frame I can think of that was designed specifically for the .357 is the L frame. Can't recall they ever made a .38 version of that. Probably did in the fixed-sight version. I seem to recall an L-frame .38 service revolver?

There was a .38 version of the Colt Python, but that Colt frame was also originally a .38.

 

[Doug M.]

IIRC, Scott Reitz has written a bit about the M68 in LAPD use.

 

[Sevens]

Can't recall they ever made a .38 version of that. Probably did in the fixed-sight version. I seem to recall an L-frame .38 service revolver?

They did but never for the purpose of marketing to the American buying public. They did for some foreign contracts... I know that Brazil was one of them.

Also remember that back in this time, some of the LE organizations had ammunition production deals with at least Federal and maybe Winchester/Olin as well to make for them the ".38 Special +P+" which quite specifically means that it was ammo NOT made nor kept to the SAAMI industry standard, and was basically .357 Magnum performance and max pressure loaded inside a .38 Special cartridge case.

I agree that this was "public relations" sillyness.

 

[RWJ]

My 68-2 is a non-commemorative CHP overstamped "OHB", with a 12K19xx serial shipped 7/77, per Roy.


CORRECTION: It appears I mis-read when I copied from my spreadsheet, it's a no dash.



The Model 681 marked in 38 Spl was manufactured for Conrail PD, but I sold the one of those I had.

 

[jcelect]

38 SPCL

Here are the 586s, product overruns, made for Brazil and a couple model 19s chambered in 38 Spl., which I believe went to Brazil also.

jcelect

 

[T112-4]

There is a auction coming up with a 68 listed. However, looking at the pictures it is a stainless 3in, round butt, with barrel marked 357. At first glance it looks marked 68. A close look shows someone filed the last 6 off a 686. Auction house was sleeping,

 

[adrianolsen]

Alot of the 68-2 were also 66 stamp over s. And a few had started with the 3 alpha serial number.

 

[glenwolde]

Here are the 586s, product overruns, made for Brazil and a couple model 19s chambered in 38 Spl., which I believe went to Brazil also.

Gawd I'd love a 19 in .38 Special. I guess I could have a 64 cylinder mounted on my 66. They'd have to set the barrel back I guess. Plus the caliber marking. Hmmm.....I don't know that it would shoot any better. Eh.

I'm kind of particular. I don't shoot magnums much anymore, but I like the heavy barrels on the magnum guns.