Need help - inherited model 38 info Michigan SPD?

[deangoodman]

Hi all,
I come to the forum looking for some help on an oddity.

I inherited a handful of S&W firearms and believe they are all from the Michigan State PD. My mother's husband was a retired MPD undercover detective and when he passed I inherited his firearms.

The one below is the oddity I'm looking to confirm authenticity. It's a model 38 airweight with a blue frame and stainless cylinder. I have the receipt from when he purchased if from the MPD, and the original box with his name on it. It has the typical duty wear - lots of honest finish wear and mechanically excellent. S/N 421572

Can anyone help confirm the provenance on this? Help with the serial number and linking it to the MPD? What stocks would have come on this?



Thanks,
Dean

 

[Pizza Bob]

What? You didn't believe me over on NJGF??? LOL

 

[deangoodman]

What? You didn't believe me over on NJGF???

Bob, Of course I did - looking for any other info, maybe someone has/had another. And this time I have pics...

 

[murphydog]

If Bob didn't already mention it, guns with this configuration are well-known to have shipped to the MI State Police. However, it is easy to swap parts and I have seen guns well away from the serial number range you mention with the same features. The factory, or anyone with a screwdriver and the correct parts to change, might have made the latter.

It very likely came with the standard Magna stocks. The serial number is probably late 1965 so they would have had the uncheckered diamond around the stock screw.

A letter of authenticity would confirm the ship date and destination, but with your history don't be surprised if it went to the state police, or a large MI distributor.

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/Letter_request_form.pdf

 

[The_Truth]

If you ever feel like selling that Model 38 I might know a guy who's interested

<--------this guy

 

[ABPOS]

Is it really a stainless cylinder? If so I wonder if it has been replaced at some point.

I was thinking maybe it's just really worn the blue off but it's hard to tell by the pic what it looks like.

That is a beautiful revolver.

I'm sorry for your loss and congrats on the guns. What other guns did you receive?

I have a similar story. When my Step Dad passed, he was a CHP a long long time ago and my Mom gave me his service revolver. A 6" model 19. And then I also bought his 442 he had for a few years before passing. It was a newer one that he had bought to carry. Made in 2013. And then I started carrying it and I was sold on how well it shot for me. Still is my main carry gun at the moment.

 

[Hondo44]

In 1965 it would have the "medium high horn Magna stocks, not the standard Magnas, and also checkering with the large diamond around the screw hole.

This shows the standard Magnas on top and bottom guns, Med high horn on Bodyguard, and full high horn on the Centenntial:

 

[deangoodman]

Thanks all. I'll order an authentication letter from S&W this week, and I finally broke down and ordered the S&W bible so I can start giving back to the forum.

Besides the mdl 38 I also received a 39-2 and 5906 - both I believe to have been MSP service firearms. The 5906 mags are etched with his initials and badge number, the 39-2 I'm told were issued to undercover, and I also got his S&W brand belt holster that is worn to the gun. I'll start another thread for those in the appropriate section. I also got a S&W 3000 shotgun with the 18" barrel and bead sight that I believe was his trunk gun. It's times like these that make me regret not getting to know him more. The stories he could tell...

 

[Stinger4me]

Troopers carried the Mod. 38 in a front pocket. Holster was sewn into the pocket. They were taught to have their hand on the gun when they made a traffic stop. They used the guns for qualifications. My best friend was in the MSP and I got the info from him. This was back in the early 70's. I do not know when they switched over to semi-auto duty weapons.

 

[Jim Watson]

I remember reading about this setup in the day.
They carried their service revolver in a cross-draw flap holster.
So the Centennial in a lined pocket was a faster draw.