SGT. FRIDAY'S SERIAL NUMBER

The 44 Magnum given to Jack Webb is on display (or it was) at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Possibly some of the other revolvers and pistols given him are there too, but I don't know for certain.

Years ago, someone posted a photo on the Forum of the 44 Magnum on display.

Bill

Bill, here you go. :) Click on image to enlarge.
Chuck
 

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I think alot of people feeling TV was better back then is mostly nostalgia…since it takes us back to more wholesome and simpler times…but as far as writing and acting go, today’s shows are far superior with multiple layer story lines. Even police shows from the 80s like Hill Street Blues were better written and acted that any 50s, 60s and 70s shows. As far as today’s shows, if you haven’t given Bosch a try, you should check it out.

Back at that time, about all there was to watch on TV was whatever was being shown on the three national networks, and most people had only B&W sets. There wasn't much basis for comparison, so most believed whatever was on the tube was pretty good entertainment. When I was growing up, we got only one channel, and it really didn't make much difference if what you watched was good or bad, as it was the only game in town. Today, if you watch old shows from the 1950s-60s, and even later, you'll see than most of them were simplistic, crude, and amateurish compared to what's available today, and with much lower production quality.

I don't know if many have read or heard about Desi Arnaz and his great influence on TV production. Apparently, he was a pioneer in modern TV production and back in the 1960s singlehandedly revolutionized the way shows were produced and filmed. Most of the methods he developed then are still used today.
 
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Today, if you watch old shows from the 1950s-60s, and even later, you'll see than most of them were simplistic, crude, and amateurish compared to what's available today, and with much lower production quality.


Yes, but most of those shows had plots where good triumphs evil, the language used wouldn't get you kicked off the Forum and the whole family could watch it.
 
According to SCSW 4th Edition...

I happened to be perusing through the SCSW 4th Edition today, looking for some info on a flat latch Model 36 that's for sale at my LGS, and found this note on Page 244:

Serial Number 38185 attributed to actor Jack Webb of the popular TV series "Dragnet" shipped with Nickel Cylinder and Rosewood grips on 6-4-1954. Sold at Auction in 2000 for $6000.

This may have been his personal Chief's Special and never used in the TV series, but interesting none the less!
 
Need help to identify an old Smith revolver.42387 is on swing out in front of the cylinder. serial number butt of frame is 419xxx. 38 smith and wesson ctg
 
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For first-hand analysis, here is a short YT clip with Joe Friday’s shootings, including the laundromat.

The first one looks like a Colt Detective Special, correct for a 1950s episode. The laundromat gun might be a K-frame; hard to tell.

I can’t get to my real computer at the moment; maybe somebody can freeze-frame and enlarge the gun.

"Dragnet": Two Times Joe Friday Had To Shoot To Kill - YouTube
Having watched this episode for the zillionth time I notice one of the names of the two detectives who investigated this case: Pierce Brooks.

Brooks was a well-known LAPD lieutenant who, among other things, investigated the "Onion Field" murders. He was also involved in several serial murder cases.

Just a piece of trivia that I found interesting.
 
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