Old M19 with name engraved on sideplate?

[loc n load]

MArked guns

I don't see that the engraving is all that bad.....unless you want a pristine - never gonna shoot safe queen - I have several Smith's of various frame sizes and calibers that are marked with various police agency names and dept. ID #'s...just bought a 2.5 model 66 with an agency stamp on it.....those bullets don't care a bit about those markings when I send them down range.

 

[Mister_Smith]

I myself would pay MORE for that gun with the engraving, given the circumstances you mentioned, I'd even try and get a photo of the gun with the retired chief, and I'd create a short biography to go along with the gun, signed by the prior owner.

Guns on gunbroker with even a "Property of..." stamping from the local PD where they were issued sell for more money that those without those stampings.

I myself have a gun once owned by a retired detective, it has a few scuffs, and I think it's history makes it more desirable, at least to me it does. From the looks of what ex-police department guns are selling for vs. non PD guns on gunbroker (in nice condition), it appears that they are more valuable to a large group of collectors and not just myself...

 

[charlie sherrill]

I like what Mister Smith said. If the guy was in law enforcement long enough to become a chief I can guarantee he had a very interesting career. I would do research on him and try and find some photos. I WOULD NOT alter that gun. There is somebody somewhere that is related to the chief or worked with him that would pay you more than you paid for it. Shoot it, carry it, but don't "Bubba" it up.

 

[DWalt]

I think most everyone, including me, is of like mind. Leave it alone if you get it, else don't buy it. It wouldn't bother me at all as a shooter. I have no perfect guns anyway.

 

[morleda]

Here's a solution.....

Just give me the name of the seller, I'll buy the gun, and your problem is solved!

 

[RichCapeCod]

Here's an engraved ''trophy'' gun I won at the NYPD Police Academy. If I were you I'd leave that 19 as is. Another poster mentioned there are people who collect such pieces.

Oh, and I'm a retired chief of police as well!

The handgun below mine was won by a patrolmen a couple of years earlier!

 

[TAROMAN]

Just change your name.
Problem fixed.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I once had a really beat up Colt single action that I got from a retired deputy sheriff. He had worn it while playing a Deputy in the movie Lonely Are The Brave. He was standing on the big rock when Kirk Douglas led his horse around the rock. I finally gave in to a buddy who just had to have that gun.

 

[Nedroe]

Millions of 'em.............

I wouldn't do it because of the LEO provenance, but, if I was related to him, I wouldn't be sellin' it either.
But, if that don't bother you, buy a new sideplate & have at it.

20 years ago, I had this one black parkerized & an action job done on it. Smooth as glass.
3 T's but not P & R, so it wasn't a "mortal sin"
There's millions of 'em.



Ned

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Personally, I'd be delighted to have a gun with police chief provenance on it so I'd say leave it alone. In some sense, every gun engraved FOR someone is a historical piece - you might never know the historical details but in 100 years it will be very special to some folks. I'd never alter it.

***GRJ***

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Never cared much for the popular phrase "It is what it is." This situation is an exception. The gun has an honest history, and the engraving is part of it. You yourself have words of high praise for the mechanical condition. It is a shooter and, in my opinion, a nice collector piece, both at the same time. You will probably pay shooter price for it. How can you lose?

The above is my long-winded way of saying "DON'T DO ANYTHING TO IT!"

 

[pawncop]

Another vote to leave it as is. In my opinion, what makes our firearms special is the history it has and the history we create with them.

That revolver is special. I would request you honor it's history.

 

[tlay]

If you are buying it for a shooter, why change it? If you are buying it for your collection, you are buying the wrong gun. I bought a 38/44 outdoorsman from a lady in Alabama. It was her husbands. He was an ex cop. It looked like it was used really hard. But it has honest use. I would not change it for anything.