OK, I figured I'd start here. Long story short, I'm trying to find out what kind of revolver my uncle carried on the job during the 70's and 80's so I can buy a similar one. He passed away a few years ago and I wished I asked him when he was around. He was on in Stoneham, so I'm not if they issued a particular model or if most departments carried the same revolver across the state. I'm hoping someone out there might know. I know for sure that it was an S&W with S&W target grips. Mods, if I'm in the wrong forum, please move! Thanks!
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Local Police Issued Revolvers 70's & 80's
- Thread starter Pants
- Start date
Ask Carl at FS or Jack at Collectors. Bet that they would know.
My Wife bought a S&W 64-3 from Carl and it was marked "WPD-badge#". My bet is that it was from Woburn PD.
Back in the 1970s/80s most MA PDs issued S&W revolvers. Earlier of those years would be Model 10s, later years 64 or 66s were typical. I'd guess that few (other than MSP) issued .357 Mag revolvers. [When I joined my PD in the late 1970s, issue was the S&W 64. They had traded Model 10s for the 64s a few years earlier. S&W pretty much owned MA PDs until Glock came along with a sweetheart deal most couldn't pass up.]
My Wife bought a S&W 64-3 from Carl and it was marked "WPD-badge#". My bet is that it was from Woburn PD.
Back in the 1970s/80s most MA PDs issued S&W revolvers. Earlier of those years would be Model 10s, later years 64 or 66s were typical. I'd guess that few (other than MSP) issued .357 Mag revolvers. [When I joined my PD in the late 1970s, issue was the S&W 64. They had traded Model 10s for the 64s a few years earlier. S&W pretty much owned MA PDs until Glock came along with a sweetheart deal most couldn't pass up.]
S&W Model 10 was a popular issue, then in the early '80's Ruger got their foot in the door and did a one-for-one swap with their stainless service six.
There's a guy who goes to every gun show with a collection of Boston Police guns. He might know if you go to any of the shows you can ask him.
There's a guy who goes to every gun show with a collection of Boston Police guns. He might know if you go to any of the shows you can ask him.
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Ben Cartwright SASS is the guy on the forum who collects Boston Police guns. He is also a member on the S&W Forum.
I agree with Len, though. Jack or Carl will be the best bets (outside of directly getting the info from the department).
I agree with Len, though. Jack or Carl will be the best bets (outside of directly getting the info from the department).
lowbuckbob
NES Member
When I started in 1983 we were issued model 65's but we could not carry .357 loads, only .38+Ps.
Thought I'd give everyone an update. I finally ran into someone who knew my uncle and confirmed it was a Model 10. The person I ran into worked on the actual Model 10 that my uncle was issued. Now the hunt begins!!!
I have an old model 10 Square Butt that came with the grips and was missing the police plate on the bottom of the grips. The grips have the 4 holes on the bottom of them to affix the plate. The gun has alot of well carried patina but it shoots great. The officers Initials and badge # are on the grip back strap, Just a beater but if you really want one I would sell it for short money.
Yup! That's exactly it to a tee. One of the Jacks at Collectors described it EXACTLY how I remembered it. Right down to the target grips. I ended up scoring a 10-6 this past weekend, thanks to Howiema. Now I just gotta get into the range!
Early 70s I was issued a Model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel (a MetroWest PD). Later in life I picked up a D64...basically the same gun but in stainless vs. blue. I still had the grip adapter from the early days and put it on the newer gun. Whenever I handle/shoot it, just the feel of it in my hand reminds me of lots of stuff long forgotten (some good....some not so good).
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