OFF TOPIC: Help on a Marking

[epidoc]

I recently acquired a Colt Detective Special made in 1938. It is marked on the backstrap NYST. and on the butt A - No.13. Can anyone tell me what NYST stands for?

 

[epidoc]

I recently acquired a Colt Detective Special made in 1938. It is marked on the backstrap NYST. and on the butt A - No.13. Can anyone tell me what NYST stands for?

 

[lonewolf]

New York State Troopers. They were loyal buyers of Colts for many years,the standard service revolver for uniformed officers being the big Colt New Service in .45 Colt,with 5.5" bbl. These were replaced circa 1960.

Sounds like yours was from a supervisor/detective in plainclothes?

Nice Find! and hope this helps.

Bud

 

[2152hq]

The 'A-13' may be 'Troop A' which is the western NY upstate area around Buffalo from the PA border north to Lake Ontario. '13' may be a rack or weapon #. Troop A is now HQ'd in Batavia NY. Their area is the one involved in the search last spring and summer for the fugitive Ralph Phillips that shot 3 NYS Troopers, killing one of them. My wifes uncle was a NYST in the 40's & 50's and had the Colt N/S issued to him. Cal. 45Colt, 7 1/2" barrel worn in a cross draw holster. Those were replaced starting in the mid to late 50's and into the early 60's with Colt OP's for the uniform carry. The snub nose Colts stayed around for a while though with some of their 'owners'. The OP's were also marked NYST on the backstrap. Not sure when the change to NYSP marking took place.

 

[jbcap]

Originally posted by epidoc:
I recently acquired a Colt Detective Special made in 1938. It is marked on the backstrap NYST. and on the butt A - No.13. Can anyone tell me what NYST stands for?

Still have this gun? Interested in selling it? Let me know. I have been trying to collect NYSP and NYST marked guns. You can e-mail me directly at [email protected]
Thanks in advance - Jbcap