I have a M27-2 .357 third or fourth hand that has my curiosity running. Its marked below the wheel as APD 544. I was told when I bought that was an Atlanta PD issue. The little info I've been able to find on the net suggests its Austin. I was wondering if anyone has used the customer service history request S&W offers on their website and how satisfied you were with the results?
Has anyone done a S&W history request?
- Thread starter jason1173
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The cost is $30.00, which is very reasonable, and half it it goes to support the U.S. Olympic Shooting team. 
The company historian, Roy Jinks, will go through the old records until he finds your gun. Then in something like 8 to 10 weeks you'll get a formal letter from Smith & Wesson detailing whaterver information they find. This usually includes the name of the dealer, distributor, and sometimes a law enforcement agency the gun was sent to, and the date. Keep in mind that if the ("A"whatever) police department bought the gun through a distributor, S&W records may not show direct shipment.
The service is very valuable for serious collectors, individuals seeking information on a "handed down from grandpa" keepsake, and those that have an unusual gun that might have a history - such as the one you have.
If a major police department bought the gun directly from the company the letter will confirm the history, and the increase in the gun's value will more then make up for the cost of the letter. But there is a bit of a gamble here.
The company historian, Roy Jinks, will go through the old records until he finds your gun. Then in something like 8 to 10 weeks you'll get a formal letter from Smith & Wesson detailing whaterver information they find. This usually includes the name of the dealer, distributor, and sometimes a law enforcement agency the gun was sent to, and the date. Keep in mind that if the ("A"whatever) police department bought the gun through a distributor, S&W records may not show direct shipment.
The service is very valuable for serious collectors, individuals seeking information on a "handed down from grandpa" keepsake, and those that have an unusual gun that might have a history - such as the one you have.
If a major police department bought the gun directly from the company the letter will confirm the history, and the increase in the gun's value will more then make up for the cost of the letter. But there is a bit of a gamble here.
Gator
Member
Very satisfied. Having the letter increased the value of my 1950 Target by at least 25%.
I have "lettered" about 30 of my S&W revolvers. It's $30 and takes 4-12 weeks to get the letter. Apparently Roy Jinks is a one-man operation doing the research.
Only a couple of letters have provided anything really interesting on my guns. On guns dating from the 1950s and earlier it seems like 99% went to hardware stores. They must have been big retailers of S&Ws back then. The newer guns go to big wholesale distributors.
I bet your APD is actually Austin Police Department. The Austin, TX cops were known for packing some very cool S&W revolvers back in the day and the APD was a standard stamping.
I would letter this gun out of curiosity.
Only a couple of letters have provided anything really interesting on my guns. On guns dating from the 1950s and earlier it seems like 99% went to hardware stores. They must have been big retailers of S&Ws back then. The newer guns go to big wholesale distributors.
I bet your APD is actually Austin Police Department. The Austin, TX cops were known for packing some very cool S&W revolvers back in the day and the APD was a standard stamping.
I would letter this gun out of curiosity.
Wil Terry
Member
Oh My, I Musta Been Had !!! Maybe Even Screwed...
I have looked all over my 5" M27 for a wheel and have not found it yet.
I have looked all over my 5" M27 for a wheel and have not found it yet.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Yes, gave me some great info to resell a gun I no longer wanter becasue it was worth more than I wanted for a shooter.
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