S&W 10-5 with possible police markings, ID requested

[RON in PA]

Picked up a S&W model 10-5, vintage 1978 with s/n 2D83xxx. Nothing special about this common example of a model 10 except for the crude engravings, "BMP" on the frame and a property/rack number on the back strap. The gun shows normal holster wear on the muzzle and cylinder, but is very sound mechanically and shoots well.

Does anyone have an idea what the"BMP" stands for? I'm assuming it's some police dept.or government agency.

Almost forgot, the grips appear to be replacements as diamond grips had been discontinued 10 years before the gun was made.

 

[MCM]

My guess,which may or may not be worth the thread it is written on is that,this is most likely an ID'd police revolver. I have my grandfathers 1957 Colt Agent w/similar identifiers.At that time I know he was required by the dept. to have at least his name engraved on his personal weapon.It looks as though the other #'s might be an officer/employee #. Don't quote me but this is my guess.

 

[MCM]

I don't know what the deal is,I have downloaded pics here before,but now I can't.His Colt Agent has his Name. & ID # on it.

 

[Oro]

A dept. that marked revolvers usually had an armorer or the like stamp them, not scratch them on so roughly. Those are much more crude than any agency marked guns. Looks more like a cheap commercial etching tool, common in decades past.

My guess is they are initials, and the numbers are the middle two and last four of a previous owner's SSN. This was the common way people etched valuable personal items to be able to ID them in case of theft. It was common in the 70s and into the 80s.

If the initials ended in "PD" or "SD" it might be LE, but this just looks like a previous owner not too concerned about appearances or the next owner. Also, the grips are much older than the gun - they are from before 1968. Nicer style in my opinion.

 

[MCM]

All that I am certain of is; I have a genuine dept. issued firearm,& that my grandpa was a County officer from 1924-1968. This pistol, which I stiil shoot/carry has an apparently simple hand engraved marking? I Dunno!

 

[SaxonPig]

I have many retired cop guns and while many bear department markings none are as crude as what we see on your revolver.

I agree that a previous owner felt the need to ignore the fact that there was a unique serial number already permanently stamped on the frame and scratch some sort of personal ID into the gun's finish.

There is a special place in Hell for these morons.

 

[Iggy]

Case I D number scratched on it and held for evidence?

 

[krs]

They just bag evidence, Iggy, and write on the bag.

I agree with SaxonPig. I've owned or seen many agency marked pistols and they were invariably stamped not electropenciled.

Some owner did those. What perversity drove him to do it can only be guessed.

The grips may well be worth more than the pistol.