Old Dallas PD 64-1

[jdhalverson]

In 1976 I joined the Dallas Police Department and was issued a model 64-1 (SN# D797536). When I left the department I was not allowed to purchase that gun. I recently bought a Model 64-1 (D797827) and discovered that the serial number was relatively close to my DPD issued revolver. I'm curious if my recent purchase might have also been a gun used at DPD. Perhaps Smith and Wesson shipped a large quantity to Dallas.

Anyone have thoughts on this or ideas on how I might find out where my revolver was initially shipped?

 

[OldSparky]

You can get a letter from S&W Historical Foundation showing original ship date and who it was sold to. I think the cost is $75

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSparky]

Duplicated

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not sure on this, but the policy may have been to sell (generously depreciated) guns only to those eligible for retirement rather than those who resigned with fewer than twenty years service.

In the early '90s following the transition to semi-auto pistols, 64s (and maybe some other revolvers)were made available for sale to officers still employed with DPD. I'm sure DPD just wanted to get rid of the revolvers since they were no longer issuing them. They sold for around $55.00, I think. I have no idea how many of these revolvers DPD had or how many they sold.

 

[moosedog]

Yes, a factory letter will tell you when and who it was shipped to.
Chances are with a serial number that close it is most likely that it was part of the shipment. Did Dallas stamp or engrave their guns?

 

[rockquarry]

Many (not just 64s) were stamped, usually on either the backstrap or the frame butt, following the serial number.

 

[jdhalverson]

Thanks for the comments. I left in 1984. At that time, DPD would sell you your gun if you had 10 years on (just a random thing, I guess). I had 8 years.
Dallas did not stamp their revolvers.

 

[rockquarry]

Thanks for the comments. I left in 1984. At that time, DPD would sell you your gun if you had 10 years on (just a random thing, I guess). I had 8 years.
Dallas did not stamp their revolvers.

I've seen only one of the 64s; it was not stamped with a DPD marking. I've seen two DPD Model 15s, one, from about 1968 was stamped on the butt. One from about ten years earlier had no marking. I've seen an early '70s Model 10 that had the DPD stamp on the backstrap. I don't know why the revolvers were randomly marked. I assume it was no different with the DPD Colt revolvers.

 

[L-2]

From my SCSW:
1975-1976 D750001-D870000

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (Kindle Locations 16974-16975). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.

 

[Ol' Drover]

I was alphabetically last in my DPD recruit class in early '67, so, while everyone else was issued a brand new Model-15, I got stuck with a ten year old, blue-worn, Combat Masterpiece. It took me years to appreciate that I got the best deal.

It is roll marked "DPD" on the butt and was shipped to Dave's Pawn Shop on Elm St. on Sept. 20, 1956. Although the department was providing officers with revolvers at least as early as Feb. 1, 1954, I have not personally seen an earlier model with the DPD mark.

Dave was low bidder for the 40 revolvers at $1960. He allowed the department $750 in trade-in for 40 handguns selected from the departments seized weapons stash.

When the department transitioned to semi-autos in 1991, I bought the CM for $25 plus $2.06 in tax.