New to me 66-1. Retired LEO sidearm rescue.

[EarlB]

Awesome looking police revolvers...I want more! I have too few. Earl

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Mine is a Model 65-1 marked MPD 55. Don't have a letter yet.

I have magna service grips on the way.

 

[Dvus]

Dvus, sometimes it's better to get a trade in like that "as is" so you know it hasn't been messed with and get it priced according to appearance than to get one that's all tarted up and you can't see the girl for the lipstick! I'd say you did OK there and might want to at least be willing to look at that guy's stuff since obviously you can see what lies beneath the dirt!

Froggie

I did look at all the rest of his stuff, but nothing noteworthy. There were a few other Smiths but they were pretty beat up and overpriced for the condition. My 66 was the only reasonable choice on the tables.

 

[Dvus]

As it turns out, I have a family member with contacts in the IHP. Hopefully I can get some history on this particular gun and maybe even get to talk to the Trooper who carried it if they are still around. I will update with any information obtained.

 

[Old Corp]

Here is a photo of the last 3 revolvers Iowa State Patrol, Model 13, Model 66 and Model 686. The Model 13 was used for a short time before going to Model 66. I bought all 3 from a retired trooper.

This is the letter the trooper wrote for me.

A photo of the cross draw holster that came with the 686.

Toyman - great group of revolvers and love the accompanying letter!

Like your gentleman, at my agency we were allowed to purchase our duty gun as it was replaced. I purchased my M66 4", $125 IIRC when we transitioned to the M1076. The 66 was part of me from 1980-1989/90, and unlike most LE revolvers got shot ALOT.
Saved my bacon a couple times and as a result of one encounter has a case number engraved on the grip frame.
No shield inscription - our place didn't do that, and just a regular ol' 66, but holds a special place for me.

 

[Green Frog]

Toyman - great group of revolvers and love the accompanying letter!

Like your gentleman, at my agency we were allowed to purchase our duty gun as it was replaced. I purchased my M66 4", $125 IIRC when we transitioned to the M1076. The 66 was part of me from 1980-1989/90, and unlike most LE revolvers got shot ALOT.
Saved my bacon a couple times and as a result of one encounter has a case number engraved on the grip frame.
No shield inscription - our place didn't do that, and just a regular ol' 66, but holds a special place for me.

Old Corp

I know how meaningful that revolver is to you, and I'd only suggest you sit down and record the history that gun and you share, especially the "couple of times" that it "saved your bacon." This will not only be satisfying to you as you do it, but will aid your descendants in staying in touch with your memory. I have a musket and revolver carried by ancestors during the Civil War, but only got hearsay stories to go with them... nice, but it could have been so much better.

Froggie

 

[Dvus]

History found.

This particular 66 was purchased by the Iowa Highway Patrol in 1982 and was issued to Sgt. ( name withheld until I speak with him personally) of the Accident Reconstruction Unit in West Des Moines Iowa. It was carried by this trooper until the ISP switched to S&W .40s in 1993.

So, accident reconstruction, I'm guessing there's probably not much call to action for a sidearm in that particular unit. It does help explain why it's in such good condition though. I also found out that my family contact knew this Trooper personally through working with him. Kinda small world sometimes.

 

[Toyman]

DVUSid you ever get in contact with the trooper?
One of the reasons the ISP guns were in good shape was the full flap cross draw holster. The guns were not banged on the steering wheel when the trooper exited the vehicle.