[UPDATED with Pics] Model 36, NYPD 1970 Hershfield Trophy Gun

[NCBeagle]

Just bought the 1970 Hershfield Trophy gun, a Model 36, awarded to a new NYPD patrolman in September of that year. I'll post pictures when it arrives in a couple weeks.

What does one do to win the Hershfield Trophy? NYPD awarded trophy guns for different accomplishments. What is Hershfield?

This Model 36 looks well used. I'll probably deep clean, function check, and carry it. It's a trophy but clearly not a museum piece.

…paging Robert Vivas. Mr. Vivas, please report to trophy gun thread.

He'll know.


[UPDATED /02/28/2023 - PHOTOS ADDED to 1st Post]

Well, it arrived today. Finish is consistent with use on the job or after. Mechanically 100%, or so it seems. Hard to photograph all of the freckles and light edges. I like it. Hammer is semi-bobbed. Still has DA/SA internals. It is a square butt. A welcome surprise. Incorrectly assumed it was round butt because of the Pachmayr grips. I am going to carry this gun regularly. Still trying to track down the original owner, William W. Meyer.

 

[RKmesa]

Ryan:

I am not sure what someone does to earn the Hershfield Trophy, but one of my Chiefs that shipped in March 1972 is also a NY award gun. So, while we're waiting for photos of your new toy here are a few photos of this one...







It was awarded by the Police Department County of Nassau. As generously researched by "demkofour" (thank you very much) - "The Chief was won by the late Wayne Billian. He was a Nassau County PD cop assigned to the Ambulance Bureau (still in existence). He remained in the Bureau even after it was civilian. He passed away from cancer quite a while ago..."

 

[NCBeagle]

Model 36, NYPD 1970 Hershfield Trophy Gun

Ryan:



I am not sure what someone does to earn the Hershfield Trophy, but one of my Chiefs that shipped in March 1972 is also a NY award gun (while we're waiting for photos of your new toy here are a few photos of this one)...



It was awarded by the Police Department County of Nassau. As generously researched by "demkofour" (thank you very much) - "The Chief was won by the late Wayne Billian. He was a Nassau County PD cop assigned to the Ambulance Bureau (still in existence). He remained in the Bureau even after it was civilian. He passed away from cancer quite a while ago..."

Richard, very nice. Looks to be in great shape as well. Good info on the original owner. It may be your least engraved gun. Ha.

Here's the sideplate from mine. Photo from the auction site:

 

[RM Vivas]

(image of Harry Hershfield)
Hershfield Trophy started in 1952.

1952 CORDES, Henry R. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1953 STONE, William J. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1954 ANDIUZZI, Ralph H. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1954 CUMMINGS, Arthur J. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1954 GUINEE, Donald A. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1954 MULLINS, George J. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 COSTELLO, Edward L. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 DITTMER, Peter C. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 EVANS, Edward H. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 LEITGEB, John Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 NILSON, Lawrence A. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1955 SCHAEFER, Walter Harry Hershfield Trophy
1956 WIECZORAK, Stanley A. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1957 BOSIO, Franklin Harry Hershfield Trophy
1957 GAMBINO, Anthony V. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1957 MONTEFFERRANTE, Dominic Harry Hershfield Trophy
1958 FOY, Ralph A. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1959 DURHAM, Kenneth Harry Hershfield Trophy
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968 TIRADO, Vincent Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 ANGELINO, James Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 GLASPIE, Franklin Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 MACK, Ronald Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 SIRVENT, Antonio Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 VIZERA, Victor Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 WATTS, Claudius Harry Hershfield Trophy
1969 ZAHRA, Alfred Harry Hershfield Trophy
1970 MEYER, William W. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1970 SAMOLEWSKI, Robert R. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1971
1972 GUARINO, Joseph A. Harry Hershfield Trophy
1953/1954 PARSON, Oliver W. Harry Hershfield Trophy


In 1952 there was a sudden surge of interest in Trophy Guns and about 6 new ones were created including the Hershfield Trophy.

Hershfield was a sort of Jay Leno/David Letterman of his time. He was called a 'toastmaster' and was in demand for higher level society functions.

He was a Jewish comedian/comedy writer but not of the Borscht Belt type.

He died childless so I have not had a chance to figure out his link to the Department.

The Hershfield Trophy was awarded for best Physical fitness score (Boxing, swimming, running, etc.).

Approximately 30 were awarded. Don't see them very often.

I did a quick check and see that 2 or three were awarded in 1970. Get me a /sn and any other data and I'll letter it for you with what I have in my records.

Also, notice three important things:
1) Engraving is on the sideplate. That allowed the Department to detach the sideplate and send it to an engraver without licensing issues.
2) No mention of Department affiliation.
3) Name is sometimes misspelled Hershfeld

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[NCBeagle]

Robert, as always, thanks for the detailed info. Trying to learn more about the Meyer. May have more info in a couple weeks.


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[NCBeagle]

This morning I spoke briefly with Robert (Bob) Samolewski. Robert Vivas identified him as having also received the Hershfield Tropy in 1970 (See Post No. 4, above). It was an interesting conversation.

Mr. Samolewski graduated the same year but different class than William W. Meyer. He confirmed that the Hershfield Trophy is recognition for physical fitness. He scored the highest on an academy-administered physical fitness test. Mr. Samolewski attributed his extraordinary physical fitness to pre-NYPD academy service in the United States Marine Corps. He said that the NYPD fitness test contained many of the same events, pull-ups, a run, etc. He also received an inscribed Model 36.

Hoping to hear back from 2-3 other Hershfield Tropy recipients. Sounds like this is a physical fitness award tied to performance on a specific test.

Note, Mr. Samolewski would like to reunite with his revolver if anyone knows its location. He left NYPD after 12 years to join private industry and gave his Hershfield Trophy Model 36 to another officer. He could not keep it for lack of pistol permit.

 

[NCBeagle]

The revolver arrived this morning. Updated the thread with new photos up in first post.

 

[NCBeagle]

Check this out. This is the Hershfield Trophy for September 1970….but it is a "Floating J" revolver. Serial No. 5J682.

September 1970 seems a bit early for a Floating J gun. Maybe the revolver came in 1971, months after the September 1970 award, to accommodate engraving. Maybe Floating J started a little before 1971. Anyone know? I'll call Mr. Samolewski to see when he received his Hershfield Trophy in relation to it's award date.

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[two-bit cowboy]

I have a roving J series Model 36 that shipped on May 29, 1970.

Keep this in mind, too: S&W did not ship in serial number order.

I checked the database, and I only have two 5Jxxxx ship dates. Both are 3" Chiefs, one shipped in September '70 and the other in November '70. Take this with a wee grain of salt because the 3" Chiefs usually don't track with the 2" models -- could be much earlier or much later. There's no recognizable pattern to it.

 

[RM Vivas]

I have a roving J series Model 36 that shipped on May 29, 1970.

Keep this in mind, too: S&W did not ship in serial number order.

I checked the database, and I only have two 5Jxxxx ship dates. Both are 3" Chiefs, one shipped in September '70 and the other in November '70. Take this with a wee grain of salt because the 3" Chiefs usually don't track with the 2" models -- could be much earlier or much later. There's no recognizable pattern to it.

You're going to make me go pull my 'Roving J" records aren't you.

Gimme a bit and I'll see what I have.

OK, just looked. Got 3,158 roving J guns as NYPD with sales dates.

5J682 blank Book 70 Series C P. 32

While the page lacks an actual sales date, the gun is logged out as a Trophy, so this particular gun was in inventory at NYPD prior to the award date of SEPT70.

FYI, the Series 70 Book was opened on 12MAY70 and less than 100 guns into the book I see the first floating J being logged in (#1J1676).

In my opinion, floating J's were in circulation AT LEAST as early as June/July 1970.

As for the 3" floating J, the earliest NYPD 3 inch floating J is #14J357 on p. 146 HOWEVER there is a gun recorded earlier in the book (p. 124) with a higher S/N (#16J550). Since the copy of the book I have is missing dates, one must postulate. Since the book closed out on 26SEP74 and these entries are towards the end, I'd say these two particular 3 inch 36's were around 1973/1974. The shield numbers they went to were Policewoman shield numbers. The Policewomans Bureau (PWB) was done away with in 1973; I'd say these two guns were amongst the past of the PW sales before the PW's were converted to Police Officers and went to the Patrol Force. Just my estimation tho!

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[two-bit cowboy]

You're going to make me go pull my 'Roving J" records aren't you.

I always appreciate it when you pull your records.

While we're "postulating," since Dr. Jinks attributes NYPD as the reason S&W made the Chiefs Special Model 36-1 3" Heavy Barrel in the mid-'60s, I'm guessing those two 3" roving J Model 36s you list (14Jxxx & 16Jxxx) are indeed Model 36-1s. They fall in line with other Model 36-1s with nearby s/n's.

To tie this back to NC's OP, it's very cool that you found the book and page number for his Trophy Model 36!

Thanks for all you offer.

 

[RM Vivas]

I am genuinely contemplating a stand alone book just on NYPD Trophy Guns.

I have to have more cooperation from the current Department than I get now.

 

[NCBeagle]

I am genuinely contemplating a stand alone book just on NYPD Trophy Guns.

I have to have more cooperation from the current Department than I get now.

Robert, thanks so much for the info. Really appreciate the effort and interest. Feel free to use any of my photos for the book.

Any chance that you can send a copy of the NYPD record for this gun? I'll text you my email. Also, send me a link to your Amazon book wish list. Thanks again.

Ryan

 

[RM Vivas]

Robert, thanks so much for the info. Really appreciate the effort and interest. Feel free to use any of my photos for the book.

Any chance that you can send a copy of the NYPD record for this gun? I'll text you my email. Also, send me a link to your Amazon book wish list. Thanks again.

Ryan

Headed off to work right now.

I'll do a formal letter for you in the AM when I get back.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[NCBeagle]

Robert - Received the letter. It's awesome. Thanks.

UPDATE- I spoke with one of Mr. Meyer's sons this evening. My mom helped track him down. She knows how to access different archives, dabases, etc., because of her geneology hobby. It was an interesting call. Mr. Meyer spent 20 years with NYPD. Did some interesting stuff. He passed away recently. This revolver probably rode along in an ankle holster. We may have a photo of him receiving the award. Updates to follow.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

Damn interesting reading fellas. I graduated from a west coast police academy at the turn of the last century and we didn't have near as exciting prizes. Different era for sure and the more we turn away from it the lesser we are as a society I'm afraid.