Nickel plated cop guns?

[Fishinfool]

Funny how some departments would go out of their way to avoid the "bling". Back when I started with the CSP, they had gone to issuing model 66's for the rust resistant properties of SS, but they didn't want any "bling", so they had S&W coat them with a special "blackened" finish. It was not very durable, and the guns looked pretty shabby with some use and wear. But, it kept in policy with only carrying blued finish revolvers.

Larry

 

[usmc2427765]

In the 1930's, Houston PD issued a 3rd model 44 special hand ejector available in blue and nickel. I have an example in nickel. In my early career with HPD, many of the old hands carried nickel revolvers to prevent rusting problem, back in those days handgun maintenance was not a top priority.

 

[Richochet]

I have a Florida Highway Patrol 27-2 in nickel, a nickel 2.5" M19-3 that was used by Customs & Immigration, and a shiny 15-3 that was sent to the Campus PD of a Louisiana university. I have seen the nickel Detroit Model 10s and Austin PD nickel HDs and Model 27s. Any other departments or agencies known for carrying nickel plated revolvers back in the day? Seems they were fairly uncommon. Feel free to share any examples you have.

When i was a teenager growing up in Dallas, there was a Dallas P.D. patrolman who carried a nickel plated .44 magnum with a six inch barrel. I nick named him the "Intimidator"!

 

[EarlB]

I'm currently trying to work a deal with a retired Austin PD policeman who collects APD revolvers. He has nickel 27-2's and 38/44 HD's. I'm hoping I'm lucky enough to end up with one of each.

At any rate, according to him the APD preferred nickel because they wanted the perpetrators to see that a gun was pointed at them at night. I do know that they preferred nickel for many, many years.

 

[Arquebus357]

As an aside. If you have a nickle plated gun with some rust issues, soak it in EvapoRust for a few hours. EvapoRust is NOT acidic and will not do any harm to the nickle plating. This product uses relatively new technology.

I did this to a model 19 recently and it came out very nice.

 

[Art Doc]

Where do you get it?

 

[Old cop]

Mid 1960's I remember some members of the Washington D.C. Police Department carrying Nickel plated Model 10's. Kyle

I was a DC cop in the late '60s and this issued gun was either a Smith Model 10 or Colt Official Police both in blue. While I didn't see any uniformed cops w/nickle guns some may have carried personal weapons before my time.

 

[Muley Gil]

Where do you get it?

A Yahoo search shows it being available at Harbor Freight, Home Depot and eBay, among others.

 

[pawncop]

I have a Colt Police Positive in 38 New Police (38 S&W) from 1919, nickel plated stamped "Detroit Police" and an inventory control number on the bottom of the grip.

On a personal note, I carried a model 19 and a model 586, both nickel plated until I started carrying a model 645 then a model 4506. The nickeled sidearms were easier to maintain.

 

[LEO918]

This old refinished Triple Lock has inscriptions on the bottom of the Carved Ivory Grips. One side reads Goo Goo (probably a nick name) and the other side reads Corpus Cristi. I like to imagine it was carried by a LEO back in the day...

 

[29-1]

I bought this M&P several years ago from R M Vivas, who had a direct hookup with the NYPD. He sold lots of former NYPD guns, which had originally been privately purchased by individual coppers.

This one was used by an officer named Fitzgerald, who served from 1947 to 1968. His shield number is stamped on the butt.

RMV said nickel guns were allowed at the time, but had to be purchased blue and refinished locally. Later the policy was changed to blue only, but nickel guns were grandfathered in.

Here's a Terrier that went to the NYPD in 1950 that according to the factory letter was shipped in Nickel. So maybe some in Nickel got ordered and issued for whatever reason at the time.

 

[mtgianni]

My first user as a Reserve Officer was a nickle mod 19 4". Long gone with no pictures. Friends called it "Da Pimp Gun".

 

[Coaltminer]

Nickel PlatedCo Guns

I've also seen Colt MK III for Detroit Police, 5", special order from Colt

 

[EarlB]

This pre-27 letters to the Dallas County Constables Office.

 

[crsides]

In the 1930's, Houston PD issued a 3rd model 44 special hand ejector available in blue and nickel. I have an example in nickel. In my early career with HPD, many of the old hands carried nickel revolvers to prevent rusting problem, back in those days handgun maintenance was not a top priority.

Here is HPD #38 from Houston Police Dept, 3rd model 44spl shipped to W&K in 1931.

petrol station near me

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Here's a Terrier that went to the NYPD in 1950 that according to the factory letter was shipped in Nickel.

I don't often re-post a photo, but that deserves more than a like.