Question on Model 15

[JasonF1978]

So I got this Model 15-3 on a trade for an old guitar amp. Its in pretty good shape and Ive had it too the range it shoots like a champ. It is stamped property of Sacramento sheriff. So my question is is this a gun that is gaining value and needs to be put up or is it one that I shouldnt worry about it gettin scratched up in the glove box.

 

[CO_Kid]

There is a market for police marked guns. I don't know the value of the amp, but you might be able to turn a little profit on it if you put it up for sale.

 

[Absalom]

I second what CO Kid said. The Model 15-3 was wildly popular as a police sidearm, so there are a lot of trade-ins on the second-hand market, but many aren't marked, or just have been defaced with inventory numbers crudely electro-penciled on which don't allow clear attribution to a specific agency, so a nicely department-stamped specimen should attract some collector interest.

 

[chief38]

In general, "marked guns" are actually worth less than regular unmarked ones. This is due to the fact that unless you are in some way associated with the organization marked on the gun, it is meaningless to the new owner and not original on the gun - therefore detracting from it's collectibility. Personally, unless I was a LEO or employee of an elite organization I would never buy a "marked gun" UNLESS I was buying it strictly for self defense in a situation that I knew it was going to get beat up anyway and I could get it at a bargain basement price. Just my opinion of course and YMMV.

I'd just shoot it and enjoy it because I doubt it would ever be a collectible - and no need to "retire it".

 

[DWalt]

It's a shooter. Aside from those collectors having specific interest in department-marked police guns, the markings won't increase desirability or value, and may even lower it. I see it as somewhat of a defacement.

 

[Absalom]

Well, collectability is in the eye of the beholder. To me, an UNmarked Model 15 will never have value as a collectible during my lifetime, no matter what the condition, because they're too young and there's simply too many of them.
On other hand, I have paid more for a gun with markings if they related to an agency or some history I had an interest in.
What would kill my interest in this one are the missing original stocks. But there are several people, including on this forum IIRC, that specifically collect police-marked revolvers, so the OP might still find someone who's interested.

 

[CajunBass]

The markings would mean nothing to me, but I'd find them interesting. Not interesting enough to pay more for them, but not detracting enough to expect anything off for them either. It would be just a shooter and that's good enough.

What I couldn't do, and I don't care what kind of shape a gun is in, is not worry about it "getting scratched up in the glove box". I laughed at myself just the other day, when I put a cloth on the desk here, before I put a beat up, scratched up model 10 down on it. I could take a wire brush to this gun and wouldn't hurt it much, but I just cannot do it. The idea of a gun bouncing around in a glove box is just totally foreign to me. I'm not saying YOU shouldn't do it. Just that I can't.

 

[Blackbarry]

Let's get real here. Most stamped models are of no special interest to anyone other than a member of that particular unit. However, if anyone were to stumble on a stamped Secret Service gun that was stamped "Presidential Service" with dates - particularly if it was carried during a popular Presidential era (Ron Reagan?) - it might have greatly increased general collector value. But I'm just dreaming here.....

 

[DWalt]

"...if anyone were to stumble on a stamped Secret Service gun that was stamped "Presidential Service" with dates..."

Is there such a thing?

 

[CajunBass]

"...if anyone were to stumble on a stamped Secret Service gun that was stamped "Presidential Service" with dates..."

Is there such a thing?

I had a 4" Colt Official Police once that was marked "TREASURY DEPT SECRET SERVICE". Almost certainly a uniform secret service gun.

I sold it to a fellow on the Colt forum who collected dept marked Colts.

 

[chief38]

Let's get real here. Most stamped models are of no special interest to anyone other than a member of that particular unit. However, if anyone were to stumble on a stamped Secret Service gun that was stamped "Presidential Service" with dates - particularly if it was carried during a popular Presidential era (Ron Reagan?) - it might have greatly increased general collector value. But I'm just dreaming here.....

All depends on "THE" President! Some worth more than others -

 

[chief38]

"...if anyone were to stumble on a stamped Secret Service gun that was stamped "Presidential Service" with dates..."

Is there such a thing?

Not that I am aware of, but a retiring Secret Service Agent who might be allowed to purchase his/her service gun could do so if he/she chose to I suppose. I would THINK that the SS would NOT want marked guns just in case one fell into the wrong hands - they need deniability you know..........

 

[Maximumbob54]

Pfft. Pinned barrel, all forged parts, discontinued model? May as well tie some rope around it and use it as a fishing boat anchor.

 

[raylan007]

THIS AIN'T THE WILD WEST

The markings would mean nothing to me, but I'd find them interesting. Not interesting enough to pay more for them, but not detracting enough to expect anything off for them either. It would be just a shooter and that's good enough.

What I couldn't do, and I don't care what kind of shape a gun is in, is not worry about it "getting scratched up in the glove box". I laughed at myself just the other day, when I put a cloth on the desk here, before I put a beat up, scratched up model 10 down on it. I could take a wire brush to this gun and wouldn't hurt it much, but I just cannot do it. The idea of a gun bouncing around in a glove box is just totally foreign to me. I'm not saying YOU shouldn't do it. Just that I can't.

.
I SECOND THE MOTION ON LETTING A FIREARM BOUNCE AROUND IN THE GLOVE BOX. SOUNDS LIKE A SCENE OUT OF A BAD MOVIE.( ALL CAPS DUE TO BROKEN ARM) YESTERDAY SOMEONE MISINTERPRETED IT AS ANGER, OH SO SENSITIVE WE ARE BECOMING.

 

[JasonF1978]

Thanks for the serious answers. Ok so for clarification In my state if you carry a gun in the passenger compartment of you vehicle it has to be in the glove box or other lockable compartment attached to the car. In the case on the floor board not allowed. I have a ruger p95 that I normally carry with me. Its a great gun does its job well, but I know it is what it is. If it get scuffed up meh no skin off my back. So my question was does the model 15 have enough value to it and will it over the next several years will it have enough appreciation in value that except for the bi weekly trip to the indoor range ( everybody in the safe goes on those days ) should it stay in its rug in the safe or should I not worry about the dings that come with daily carry with it. I am bu no means a gun encyclopedia, I know enough about them to operate them safely and to clean and inspect them to keep them in good working order.

 

[Blackbarry]

Thanks for the serious answers. Ok so for clarification In my state if you carry a gun in the passenger compartment of you vehicle it has to be in the glove box or other lockable compartment attached to the car. In the case on the floor board not allowed. I have a ruger p95 that I normally carry with me. Its a great gun does its job well, but I know it is what it is. If it get scuffed up meh no skin off my back. So my question was does the model 15 have enough value to it and will it over the next several years will it have enough appreciation in value that except for the bi weekly trip to the indoor range ( everybody in the safe goes on those days ) should it stay in its rug in the safe or should I not worry about the dings that come with daily carry with it. I am bu no means a gun encyclopedia, I know enough about them to operate them safely and to clean and inspect them to keep them in good working order.

Let me get this straight. Must your gun be locked up in the car glove box 100% of the time? If so, CC really isn't CC. And I wouldn't worry too much about an additional scuff or two. Scuffed is scuffed. The main decrease in value comes from that first ding. That is one expensive ding. The rest are just to keep the first company. And the model you are bringing to the table is as common as sand on the beach. Stop worrying and go enjoy it.

 

[jackvs1]

I am retired from the NYS Police and collected all uniform revolvers that the agency carried since its inception in 1917. If the OP finds someone from the specific department the M15 might be worth something a little more. I have a 15-2 in box and in no way would I want someone else's marked firearms. Then again there are collectors who have specific themes and collecting law enforcement marked guns might be one of them. To the OP, use the way you wan y to and don't count on the price going up.

 

[zonker5]

The gun was marked by the factory, the Sacramento Sheriff guns are listed as a known variation in the Standard Catalog.

I would care for it the same as I would any model 15; nothing extra because of the marking but nothing less, either.

 

[jpage]

I'd say it depends on the agency as well . LAPD marked Ithaca M37's are extremely rare and priced accordingly, NYPD and NYSP seem to be pretty spendy as well.

 

[Old Corp]

Slightly OT, so forgive me.
There are guns made specifically for 'bouncing around in a glovebox', or in these parts, often referred to as a 'truck gun'.

They're made by Taurus.

 

[Absalom]

The gun was marked by the factory, the Sacramento Sheriff guns are listed as a known variation in the Standard Catalog.

Aha. That explains this minty specimen, whose picture I copied out of an old thread from last year.
(See attached)
Now for this, I for one would pay more than for an unmarked one in the same condition.

 

[JasonF1978]

Cool thanks for all the help guys. I guess except for range days she,ll pretty much stay put up and Ill let the P95 take the abuse ... Anyone know a rough value to it incase I decide to sell or trade off down the road. ( Its unlikely I love the way this gun shoots and feels)

 

[GerSan69]

The ones I'm seeing are priced anywhere from $400 to 600, and most are right in the middle at 500. You oughta take it out and put a box of rounds thru it - you might be pleasantly surprised.... most people are!!!
Hey raylan: Hope you didn't break your shootin' arm!! Get Well Soon!!!