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

[Dvus]

Having been born and raised in the "Tall Corn State", I just had to have this when I found it at a local gun show here in Oklahoma City. It was dirty and looked lonely, asking what it had done to deserve to be sitting on the table with all of the other poorly cared for and mostly unwanted used trade-ins this dealer had accumuleted. After several sessions of negotiations over the course of two days we settled on an out the door price of $570. I got it home, removed the grips and gave it a flitz bath to remove the filth that had been allowed to collect on the old public servant. It now stands proud once again to serve and protect my family should the need arise. It still looks very presentable now after years of service largely due to Iowa's patrolman uniform of the period which looked like a brown version of the Canadian Mounties, including a full flap cross draw holster with shoulder strap. Rather slow to draw from if the need arose, but it did a wonderful job of preserving the double relieved target stocks.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Was it at the C and B Firearms table?

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[kennethg]

That revolver will serve you well for many many years. I would also say you didn't do to badly on the price.

 

[muddocktor]

Pretty neat gun man! Sweet!

 

[Bushytale]

Good looking 66.

 

[t4terrific]

Nice! I want one!

 

[LPD256]

Nice 66-1. I grew up in the same state and my Dad wore that patch on his arm. But that was during the pre-66 (Model 10 haha) years. Nice find. Last one I saw at Wannenmacher was priced much higher.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I was struck by contrast between the "Iowa Highway Patrol" logo and the "ISP" stamping. Apparently the Iowa Highway Safety Patrol became the Iowa State Patrol in 1975. Interesting piece of history and a very nice revolver . . .

 

[Green Frog]

Cream of the crop, variationwise... and being a retired LEO gun from your home state, it just doesn't get any better! Congratulations.

Froggie

 

[Dvus]

Was it at the C and B Firearms table?

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Honestly I don't even remember the dealer's name. I was just breezing by when I spotted it and I remembered the table location. Never even looked at the dealer's name, wasn't of any importance to me. All I know is he doesn't even take the time to clean and check his trade-ins so my business with him will be pretty limited. I just couldn't let this one go, it deserved better.

 

[lkabug]

Blessed are the peacemakers......they also carry beautiful guns.
Kind of you to rescue that hero of yesteryear.

 

[dmn57]

Very nice. A 'repurposed' 66 is on my wish list.

 

[Toyman]

I am surprised to see the shoulder patch embossed in side plate of a model 66 Iowa State Patrol gun. I have owned several model 66s and all had stamping I.S.P. then patrolman's badge number.
The 686 had the should patch embossed into side plate.

On page 262 of S&W Standard catalog #4 there is a statement about 250 66-1 produced with wood case in 1982, I wonder if this is one of them ?

Can you advise badge number on the gun ?

 

[Green Frog]

I am surprised to see the shoulder patch embossed in side plate of a model 66 Iowa State Patrol gun. I have owned several model 66s and all had stamping I.S.P. then patrolman's badge number.
The 686 had the should patch embossed into side plate.

On page 262 of S&W Standard catalog #4 there is a statement about 250 66-1 produced with wood case in 1982, I wonder if this is one of them ?

Can you advise badge number on the gun ?

Would ISP455 from the third picture (stamped below the cylinder window on the left side be the badge number or just a rack number?

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

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I'm going to assume that was the same gun I saw on Thursday in Owasso as they were packing up for the show. It was in a brown Bucheimer Concealer holster sitting in top of all the gun boxes. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

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[Toyman]

When an Iowa State Trooper was hired he was issued an ID number that stayed with him. His car had plates with that number and if the guns were numbered it would have the same number . Numbers are reissued as troopers leave.
Even though the uniforms are brown the leather is black. The cross draw flap holsters were used until ISP switched to semi autos

 

[Gdogman]

Great looking LEO gun.!!!!

 

[notsofast]

A great find, great price....I'd be happy to find the same at that price. I sold mine a couple three years ago

 

[Toyman]

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.

 

[Jeppo]

Bought mine from a very generous forum member.

 

[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.