Out here in Arizona we have a large dealer/distributor, From time to time they have advertisements for police and security guard trade ins. They had a whole bunch of those NYPD silver guns with the hammers bobbed. They keep them in a big box and they go for $189-$300 depending on the gun and the condition of the batch as a whole. I had a few friends that bought them for a night stand, tool box gun. Cheap enough and they were in descent shape for the price.
Police Dept Stamped Smiths. Value?
- Thread starter Wally West
- Start date
Personally, if the marking is well done, I prefer them as I think it adds character and interest.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A 15-3 with a D.P.S. marking would have been Arizona Highway Patrol.
These pop up at regular intervals and dealers either ignorant, hopeful, or deceptive try to sell them as "Texas Ranger issue" since the Texas Department of Public Safety also uses the D.P.S. acronym.
Just because I like to find out things, I contacted the very helpful folks at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, who looked into this for me and let me know that based on all they could determine, Texas D.P.S. never issued any Model 15 so stamped.
On the other hand, multiple (albeit self-proclaimed, but you gotta trust people at some point
) former AHP members have confirmed the Arizona provenance of these 15-3 models.
grcoffman104
Member
Never go to this Waco museumA 15-3 with a D.P.S. marking would have been Arizona Highway Patrol.
These pop up at regular intervals and dealers either ignorant, hopeful, or deceptive try to sell them as "Texas Ranger issue" since the Texas Department of Public Safety also uses the D.P.S. acronym.
Just because I like to find out things, I contacted the very helpful folks at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, who looked into this for me and let me know that based on all they could determine, Texas D.P.S. never issued any Model 15 so stamped.
On the other hand, multiple (albeit self-proclaimed, but you gotta trust people at some point
Unless you have a whole day.
The amount of large frame revolvers on display deserve that sort of attention.
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WaywardSon
Member
Ain't it the truth. I was at the Tulsa show a month ago as a vendor so didn't get to walk around as much as I would have liked, but have never seen as many overpriced Smith revolvers in one place before. Folks asking $900 for shooter grade Model 28's
Where in Arizona a recent transplant here and have a hard time finding any smith revolvers at all that are not extremely overpriced
bananaman
Member
To me, it is all about what the gun is, (model, condition, etc.) not what it is marked. They don't shoot any different. Bob
Being from Kentucky, when I saw this 1076 in the case I grabbed it up, because I thought it was pretty neat. Actually the fellow working at my LGS is an ex-State Trooper, and knew the gun and the Trooper that it was issued to. He told me a story of when it was used to save the guys life from a shotgun wielding bad guy. (I told the story here when I first got it) The listed price of $675 suited me just fine at the time.
I also have a 66-1 that I bought as a police trade in back in the early 90's, for $200 bucks. I have no idea what the stamping stands for. It could be any number of cities that started with a "T", like Tulsa, Tampa, Topeka, Toledo or maybe from a small town here in KY, like Tompkinsville, and maybe a badge number. As you can see, it's under the grips and not as neat as some I've seen here. It looks like and engraving pen (vibrating type) was used.
They don't bother me, but I'm just a shooter, not a true collector.
I also have a 66-1 that I bought as a police trade in back in the early 90's, for $200 bucks. I have no idea what the stamping stands for. It could be any number of cities that started with a "T", like Tulsa, Tampa, Topeka, Toledo or maybe from a small town here in KY, like Tompkinsville, and maybe a badge number. As you can see, it's under the grips and not as neat as some I've seen here. It looks like and engraving pen (vibrating type) was used.
They don't bother me, but I'm just a shooter, not a true collector.
Attachments
I personally collect PD revolvers. Some agencies are more desirable than others and can actually increase the value of the gun.
I have plenty of PD revolvers that are worth more marked as oppossed to if I bought them unmarked
I have plenty of PD revolvers that are worth more marked as oppossed to if I bought them unmarked
loeman
Member
I like department marked guns, especially if the markings look professional. Here's a Detroit Police, nickel, 5 inch, model 10 with the markings on the back strap. Personally, I would value this gun slightly higher than the same gun, same condition without the markings.
I'd say it this way....
If I had been a member (or had a connection) of such marked LE Force....I'd pay a premium. If not....probably not. But, collectors....so, maybe yes. It might deserve a premium. How much? Well, see my first sentence.
That being said....
My Dept. (Honolulu PD) did not mark their revolvers or semi autos. I served through the era of the revolver to semi-auto switch. 1978-2003
Mod 18 .22LR 4" blue.....used in initial training
Mod 15 .38 Sp 4" blue......my first issued revolver
Mod 67 .38 Sp 4" SS.......it's Hawaii salt air, Duh.
Mod 5906 9mm 4" SS........everyone was going 9mm
Anyway, I managed to NOT turn in my M15 for the M67. But, I was "forced" to turn in my M15 for the M5906. Call it....uniformity. I can remember at the time, that the supply room guy said that I should attach a tag with my name....and MAYBE if it got sold off locally. I might be able to buy it back. Humm....I had no idea what the price was gonna be so, I passed.
Anyway, today.....if I could have it SURE. I'd like to buy my old revolver. Even if it's NOT marked with "HPD" on it.
Aloha, Mark
PS....I'm NOT saying that HPD never ever marked their firearms. But all the issued ones that I've seen, were not (during my time).
If I had been a member (or had a connection) of such marked LE Force....I'd pay a premium. If not....probably not. But, collectors....so, maybe yes. It might deserve a premium. How much? Well, see my first sentence.
That being said....
My Dept. (Honolulu PD) did not mark their revolvers or semi autos. I served through the era of the revolver to semi-auto switch. 1978-2003
Mod 18 .22LR 4" blue.....used in initial training
Mod 15 .38 Sp 4" blue......my first issued revolver
Mod 67 .38 Sp 4" SS.......it's Hawaii salt air, Duh.
Mod 5906 9mm 4" SS........everyone was going 9mm
Anyway, I managed to NOT turn in my M15 for the M67. But, I was "forced" to turn in my M15 for the M5906. Call it....uniformity. I can remember at the time, that the supply room guy said that I should attach a tag with my name....and MAYBE if it got sold off locally. I might be able to buy it back. Humm....I had no idea what the price was gonna be so, I passed.
Anyway, today.....if I could have it SURE. I'd like to buy my old revolver. Even if it's NOT marked with "HPD" on it.
Aloha, Mark
PS....I'm NOT saying that HPD never ever marked their firearms. But all the issued ones that I've seen, were not (during my time).
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The only firearm that I currently have that is mark is a 1911A1 series Colt 1911 from the Detroit Police Dept. Apparently when it was removed from Service they took an "X" stamp and over marked the PD logo. It was then converted into a Bullseye pistol and looked a little rough so I picked it for what I thought was a cheap price. Turned out that it had been tricked out by Schokey and was so marked. Shoots like dream.
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iskra
Member
Here more literally that usual, the trite answer to the worth of an LE marked weapon... "Whatever someone will pay for it." Of course completely begging the question, except that perhaps a more than average personalized and variable matter...
I do tend to believe that except for certain high-profile agencies, their nomenclature markings reduce value. That said, noting most agencies 'of particularly public interest', normally not marking their weapons at all!
A longtime collector in general, the only circumstances where I'd purchase a LE marked weapon are 1. (as I have) where it's a commemorative reflecting my own employing Federal agency. 2. If I had a connect with a department/agency which did issue guns and I'd carried such model weapon. 3. A rare or collectible model in which I was interested in acquiring AND only a decent LE marked model available. Such purchased at reasonable price and most likely held only in interim pending acquiring an unmolested edition.
Of agency marked weapons, far less reduction seeming, when the weapon manufacturer did the marking professionally. So be said "original factory gun so identified".
Just the aside from an above post involving "scratching" markings. Most likely a seized weapon marked for evidence or forfeiture.
Just my take
I do tend to believe that except for certain high-profile agencies, their nomenclature markings reduce value. That said, noting most agencies 'of particularly public interest', normally not marking their weapons at all!
A longtime collector in general, the only circumstances where I'd purchase a LE marked weapon are 1. (as I have) where it's a commemorative reflecting my own employing Federal agency. 2. If I had a connect with a department/agency which did issue guns and I'd carried such model weapon. 3. A rare or collectible model in which I was interested in acquiring AND only a decent LE marked model available. Such purchased at reasonable price and most likely held only in interim pending acquiring an unmolested edition.
Of agency marked weapons, far less reduction seeming, when the weapon manufacturer did the marking professionally. So be said "original factory gun so identified".
Just the aside from an above post involving "scratching" markings. Most likely a seized weapon marked for evidence or forfeiture.
Just my take
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