Old M19 with name engraved on sideplate?

[beagleye]

Leave it I think. It's history. LEO history on guns is desirable.

 

[dsink]

I had an old bodyguard I bought becosue the orignal owner had used an electric pencil to put his name on one side and DL# on the other.

It wasnt pretty to look at and thats the reason I bought it. It was bought as a working gun and a gun to carry when I thought there was a chance it could get scratched.

It was already scratched and the engraving wasnt pretty. Never bothered me if I scratched it myself.

 

[hardcase60]

Recently traded even a MDL 64 4" in very good condition for a MDL 59, with some carry wear, because the 59 had been only owned by a now deceased HPD Detective who had acquired it new back when they were first being hawked to LE. Would never dream of having her refinished. It's the character she bears and the stories she tells that endear her to me. I'll take the snubbie and promise to give her a loving home.

hardcase60

 

[jmark1651]

I must agree with leave it in its original condition. As a retired chief, I only owned one weapon, with my initials on the sideplate. It is a model 60 and was handed down to my son,who carries the same initials. All carry weapons have a story and history behind them.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Personally I would leave it.

if it's to be a shooter and wasn't purchased as an investment, why bother?

I'd leave it as is. It's more than a gun…it's a small part of history.

At the very least, you have an affordable shooter. The engraving gives the revolver a story to tell (you can make the story be whatever you want). You can carry it in honor of the decased chief and tell others of his exploits.

Or, you can just enjoy a great shooter. Save all the money from refinishing to buy more ammo (or reloading components).

 

[perrazi]

how dare you even consider spray painting a retired chiefs retirement gift. perfect way to destroy any value the gun would have. on the other hand, if you get it then it is yours to do you want. think you got plenty of opinions to keep it as is.

 

[S. Kelly]

Keep it as-is and enjoy it. Painting it will ruin it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

If you get it , your property to do as you please , etc

That said ; leave it as it is. As a pure shooter , it will still shoot just as well. There is at least modest intrest in any LE marked gun. A presentation piece to a retiring Chief will only go up in future years.

To be totally period correct , there was a very small interest in OD guns in the 1970s , primarily 1911's . But a M19 in FDE is a really revolting thought.

 

[mkk41]

I have an otherwise very nice and desirable 1960 4-screw 14-2 that was engraved as a presentation piece by a Sherriff. No problems there. BUT, a subsequent owner carved his name into the sideplate with a very sharp scriber. For someone looking for a collectable , it would be a deal breaker.
For a shooter , and a pricetag of $225 (IIRC) , it wasn't!



Now about those sideplates Ken158?

 

[sodacan]

If you don't like the engraving, don't buy the gun. There are thousands of model 19's out there. Another one will come long, I promise.

 

[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***