Police Dept Stamped Smiths. Value?

[Florida Guy]

My NYSP (NY State Police) model 681 originally distributed by the oldest gun shop in the country (I have read)
located in downtown NYC and still open with different ownership.

 

[Wally West]

It's really annoying for police collectors if there is an interesting agency they would like to add to their collection, but the underlying value of the gun is too high to spend the money. I'd love an SFPD-marked revolver, but have no inclination at all to spend a thousand bucks on a nice Model 58.

There was a wildlife agency somewhere in the West that issued Pythons sometime in the 1970s. They had a really pretty logo they embossed on the guns. Forgot which agency. But the one I came across that was for sale had a Python price on it. Forget that !

Yes, it was a nice gun and I would have liked it but the price was way over what it was worth to me. The only member here that pm'd me on it expressing interest I sent the link to the auction for him to decide on it.

 

[Wally West]

What would a nice model 58 be worth without any LE marking?

I paid about $600 for one that was in really good shape and had the box, papers etc. Worth it to me but maybe not to you.

 

[Absalom]

I paid about $600 for one that was in really good shape and had the box, papers etc. Worth it to me but maybe not to you.

That actually sounds like a pretty good price. I only skim the auction sites for this model because there are just not that many that fall into my area of interest, so I haven't researched actual sold prices, but starting bids in the 700/800 range and buy-nows of around 1500 are common.

 

[mrmike7189]

California state parks bear logo is awesome

There was a wildlife agency somewhere in the West that issued Pythons sometime in the 1970s. They had a really pretty logo they embossed on the guns. Forgot which agency. But the one I came across that was for sale had a Python price on it. Forget that !
Not a python...but I love these 4006's from California state parks. I would pay extra to get one. The bear logo is awesome!

 

[Absalom]

....
Not a python...but I love these 4006's from California state parks. I would pay extra to get one. The bear logo is awesome!

Those are pretty neat. If I remember correctly, rangers could buy their issue gun for something like 160 bucks when the state went to the M&P 40 around 2009 or so. I have a now retired friend who kept his. Then a whole batch showed up on the surplus circuit, at Bud's and such, a few years later, priced in the 300s. Since then, one doesn't see them much. Since California only has 3- or 400 armed rangers statewide, there probably just aren't that many to be had.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I own a 5906 TSW with a Stamp. Its in great shape. But i was always under the assumption, perhaps false, that it detracted from the value as it may not have been well cared for. Mine looks and fires great, and I bought it in a package deal at a nice price

 

[lawman445]

I don`t specifically seek out police marked guns but I have a few and I can`t ever remember having paid extra for the markings. I`m kindof torn on them because on one hand it`s interesting to think about where the guns have been and what they may have been through but on the other hand I`ve always been opposed to the idea of carrying issued guns that look like everyone else`s and that someone else picked out for me. I`ve only ever briefly worked for one agency that issued a certain gun (Glocks) and didn`t authorize any others even as backup guns. (my concealed backup 9mm wasn`t authorized, but I figured I would worry about that if I survived whatever ordeal that caused me to have to use it). Even if I were issued something I have and would choose to carry myself like a nickel model 27, 1911, or Colt Python I would probably still wish I had more options.

I do wish though that a few years back at the big Tulsa show I hadn`t passed on one of the traded in California Youth Authority 3 inch model 64`s marked "CYA" on the frame because the obvious double meaning. I convinced myself I didn`t need one since I already had a couple 3 inch 65`s, 10`s, and 13`s. I did have one sent to a local dealer for my cousin who was looking for a good house gun though-maybe I can trade her out of it one day.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

I'm at 150 + marked revolvers w/ at least one from each state. It is an addiction!

Nice Banker's Special Les! I have one the Post Office Railway Mail Service.

Best
Charles

...my Dad worked for the Post Office Railway Mail Service...sorting mail on trains traveling between Denver and Amarillo Texas...I don't know if he carried a revolver or not...and there's nobody left alive that could tell me...I have a feeling if he did...he probably didn't tell my Mother...

 

[Wally West]

That actually sounds like a pretty good price. I only skim the auction sites for this model because there are just not that many that fall into my area of interest, so I haven't researched actual sold prices, but starting bids in the 700/800 range and buy-nows of around 1500 are common.

Yes, a good price. I got is a couple of years ago before the prices started to follow the Colt insanity. Smiths are getting into the crazy price territory and deals are becoming harder to find. The 38sp's can still be had reasonably if you get the right deal at the right time but the others are getting out of hand

 

[amarin]

The San Antonio Police Department has always had guns shipped by the manufacturer with "S.A.P.D." stamped; on the Colt .45 Single actions on the butt of the weapon. On the Smith & Wesson there were four models marked "SAPD" on the left side forward of the trigger guard - these were the SW Model 10 (both Bull Barrel and "Pencil Barrel"), the SW Model 58 .41 Magnum and the SW Model 65 .357 Magnum (The Colt's were issued from 1927 until 1937 and prior each officer provided their own weapon, the Model 10's were issued after 1934 until 1974, the model 58 1974 until 1979, the model 65 1979 until 1991) the Glock Mod 22 issued 1st gen 1991 until 2013, marked with SA****TX as the serial number (**** was the badge number - SA0662TX - ) the next generation 22's were marked "SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT" on the right front of the slide. the SW M&P was issued starting in 2013 until present day. Just some information on the SAPD issued guns.

 

[BloodyThumb]

I started picking up "properly marked" department guns many years ago for a couple of reasons. I am in LE, so it interests me on that level, and USUALLY they sold for less than an equal condition gun without the markings. That is not always the case certainly. I have managed to amass a few nice ones over the years.

I have this thing for 3" K frames, so my personal favorite is a 3" P&R 65 that is stamped on the backstrap from Mass State Police. It had the box, papers, tools, and even the retired detectives badge as part of the set.

Also at the top of the list is an early 60's vintage 29 with the departments badge and unique issue number engraved on the side, and a couple of Austin PD marked 38/44's.

The rest are far less unique, just a mixture of mostly 10's and 66's with an occasional 15 or 19.

I am glad I got them when I did because I can't afford them these days.

I plan to start selling them off sometime in the future after my sons pick out what they want after I'm gone.

 

[crsides]

The dept marked guns that carry a premium (for me at least) are those modesl that are in high demand anyway. Not many depts issued 3.5" mod 27's, like Austin PD, or the 3rd model 44spls, issued & marked by Houston Police Dept back in the 30's. Add to these the couple depts that issued and marked the mod 58's. I have the first two, and would pay a premium for a marked 58, but I didn't start out looking for the PD guns. I was looking for that particular model and just ran across them.

Charlie

 

[gwpercle]

I like them and so do a lot of other collectors. I traded a plain mod 58 for a SAPD marked mod 58. I've got several PD marked guns, including a 3" model 65 marked BRPD (Baton Rouge) and a few marked riot guns.

I have a model 64 , fixed sight 38 special , stamped B.R.P.D.
They traded in the model 64's for the model 65's, upgrade to 357 magnum with adjustable sights. My best buddy bought one of the model 65's when the Dept. went to semi-auto 9 mm's.
His brother was on the force so we had an inside track to get them. Wished I had gotten a model 65 now !
Gary
Still living in B.R. LA.

 

[sandspur6]

I do wish though that a few years back at the big Tulsa show I hadn`t passed on one of the traded in California Youth Authority 3 inch model 64`s marked "CYA" on the frame because the obvious double meaning.


I've got one of those. I get a lot of comments on the CYA marking, plus its a really great shooter. One of my favorite carry pieces.

 

[MajorD]

All my guns are shooters I do not believe in safe queens even taking my 1880's single action army out once a year and shooting 50 black powder loads through it. I enjoy the history of guns as part of my interest so I like the pd marked guns for the history they represent much the same as getting a jinks lettered gun and finding it went to a famous organization or person. Add value? Not exactly but if I had the choice between two identical condition guns one pd stamped and one not I would take the stamped one personally

 

[automan71]

I think they are cool. I picked up this one stamped "La State Fire Marshal". It's in excellent condition. My dad has a 66-3 2.5" stamped "LAPP" (Lousiana Probation & Parole). It's a little bumped and bruised, but tight as a drum.

 

[Frank46]

At one of our local gun shows one dealer was selling some Baton Rouge Police Dept (BRPD) model 10's with nickle finish. I'm sad to say that these were the worst condition revolvers that I have ever seen. Rust showing through the nickle plating scabs of it, cylinders extremely loose,endshake like you wouldn't believe and the sight blades in the rear sights were all bent, dented or other wise messed up. Strangely the bores did look half way decent. Must have been sitting on the shelf for years before someone closed the books on them and they were sold. Frank

 

[CajunBass]

I've always thought dept market guns were interesting. I had a Model 15-3 a few years back that was marked D.P.S. 1595. I was told by a couple of people who at least seemed to know what they were talking about that it was either Texas or Arizona Department of Public Safety. That was good enough for me. I didn't pay more for it, or get more for it when I sold it.

But I did buy a 1939 Colt Official Police 38 with a 4" barrel once that was stamped on the backstrap Dept Treasury Secret Service (Might not have been in that order, but those words). Most certainly a uniform officers gun. I thought it was neat and posted pictures on the Colt Forum. I got a nice email from a fellow offering to buy it for more than I paid for it. He collected dept marked Colt's and didn't have one so marked. I told him I didn't want to sell it, but I'd keep him in mind.

About a year went by and I realized I hadn't fired the thing but one time, and hadn't even taken it out of the safe for a while. It was just another gun to me, but I knew there was someone who really wanted it. I got in touch with him and yes, he was still interested. A sale was arranged and we were both happy.

I did wonder about what kind of stories that gun could have told.

 

[Arik]

I always make it a point to look for police guns because it means I can buy it for cheaper. Doesn't matter to me if it has stamps or chicken scratch or nothing at all. I would say that 90%, if not more, of my guns are police trades.

Model 13 police gun and imoprt marked. Paid $295 a few years ago

Police gun G22. Also $295 last year

Brinks security model 10. $265 a month ago

5 of the 7 guns on the table we're police guns

HK USP 45 Fl sheriff's department

My carry gun for the last decade has been a police gun

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