actionflies
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My friend is selling a new Smith & Wesson Model 68-2 "California Highway Patrol" .38 Spl. 6" stainless with presentation case and was wondering what is a fair market price for this gun.
Smith & Wesson Model 68-2 "California Highway Patrol" .38 Spl. Price Check
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burrhead
Member
Better check the model number again; no such animal as a S&W M68. Could it be a 686 (yes, some were made in .38 sp)? Maybe a M64 with a special run of six inch barrels? Never heard of such but with S&W you just never know. At any rate, value is very dependant on your location. Where are you?
strangelittleman
Member
Yes, there was a M68. it was made on special order for the CHP and ,I think, the CDOJ. It's essentially a M66 with a cylinder length & bbl-cylinder gap set for .38spl. They were, I believe, made in 3", 4" and 6" bbls.
I'm sorry I don't know what a fair market price would be but I suggest you P.M. someone like OldFuff or Ala Dan, they are very sharp on these subjects, I respect their opinions/adivce very much.
I'm sorry I don't know what a fair market price would be but I suggest you P.M. someone like OldFuff or Ala Dan, they are very sharp on these subjects, I respect their opinions/adivce very much.
burrhead
Member
Well, I stand corrected. Just when I think I know what I'm talking about .......
A S&W model 68 is a .38 caliber 6" bbl. (only length made) stainless square butt K frame - either a .38 caliber Model 66 with a 6"barrel, or a 6" Model 67 with a shrouded ejector like a 66, depending upon how you view it.
Some were sold to law enforcement, especially LAPD and CHP. Others were civilian models. Sounds like your friend's is a later civilian model if it has a presentation case. The SCSW lists these as ranging from $450 for very good ones to $700 for unfired ones in the box, and $600 for "excellent." These aren't super rare (thousands made), but they are collectible. Because of the "low profile" of them, not a lot of people chase them so it can take a while to find a buyer, and vice versa.
Some were sold to law enforcement, especially LAPD and CHP. Others were civilian models. Sounds like your friend's is a later civilian model if it has a presentation case. The SCSW lists these as ranging from $450 for very good ones to $700 for unfired ones in the box, and $600 for "excellent." These aren't super rare (thousands made), but they are collectible. Because of the "low profile" of them, not a lot of people chase them so it can take a while to find a buyer, and vice versa.
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
1983
was the first year of manufactuer for the S&W model 68; built on a K-frame
with 6"pinned and ribbed barrel, for the California Highway Patrol and later for
the Los Angles Police Department. "CHP" was originally stamped on the
left side of the frame above the trigger guard. and overstamped with
the letters "OHB" when sold [for what reason I do not know]? Product
code #102892, with approximately 6. 055 units manufactuered between
1977-1988.
Notation: probably some of these models leaked out into the general public,
and before being shipped, had to have the over stamping. This is only MY
general assumption, and IS NOT set in stone~!
FootNote: In May of 1984 S&W manufactuered a number of the model
68's, engraved with "the winged wheel" on the side plate and "California
Highway Patrol" on the barrel. It came packaged with a belt buckle, and
in a laser engraved presentation case.
Information courtesy of: Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson
3rd edition, by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.
was the first year of manufactuer for the S&W model 68; built on a K-frame
with 6"pinned and ribbed barrel, for the California Highway Patrol and later for
the Los Angles Police Department. "CHP" was originally stamped on the
left side of the frame above the trigger guard. and overstamped with
the letters "OHB" when sold [for what reason I do not know]? Product
code #102892, with approximately 6. 055 units manufactuered between
1977-1988.
Notation: probably some of these models leaked out into the general public,
and before being shipped, had to have the over stamping. This is only MY
general assumption, and IS NOT set in stone~!
FootNote: In May of 1984 S&W manufactuered a number of the model
68's, engraved with "the winged wheel" on the side plate and "California
Highway Patrol" on the barrel. It came packaged with a belt buckle, and
in a laser engraved presentation case.
Information courtesy of: Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson
3rd edition, by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.
Below is my CHP (no O overstamp) 68 - this was an issue revolver, sold thru Horton when they were traded in. Its my understanding that only the LAPD and CHP issued these revolvers, when neither agency, for a number of reasons (mostly political) were able to procure .357's, so they used +P+ ammo instead. You friend's revolver, as commemorative, would probably bring the highest dollar in an auction - its good that's it is in new condition as collecotrs tend to ignore commemoratives that are anything but mint, or close to it.
Piedmont Plinker
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It's a stainless Model 14 is't it?
actionflies
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It is the exact model like the one Ala Dan describe in the Footnote. So how much should I offer him for the gun?
strangelittleman
Member
I don't mean to hijack the thread...But does anyone know what holsters were used w/the M68, while in service w/ CHP & LAPD?
The reason I ask is that it would be of interest for one collecting M68s.
The reason I ask is that it would be of interest for one collecting M68s.
HungSquirrel
Member
Will5A1,
You might want to adjust the date in your camera.
You might want to adjust the date in your camera.
HS - I know I should figure out the date thing, but to be honest I was (and still am) feeling pretty good about just being able to turn the infernal thing on and take pictures. If I could find the book it would help. Took me two days to figure out how to get the image from the camera to the computer to photobucket to a thread.
action - depends on how friendly you two are and how bad you want it - are you buying it as an investment? Pricing commemeratives can be dicey, many are worth less at resale than when they were originally sold at retail. Pricing varies by region also, conventional wisdom would have that revolver bringing more in CA than say KY because of regional interest. I'd never pay $700 for it, but I'm sure there are commemorative collectors that would if they needed it to fill a hole in their collection.
Strange - I think LAPD was still using the clamshell then, not sure on CHP.
action - depends on how friendly you two are and how bad you want it - are you buying it as an investment? Pricing commemeratives can be dicey, many are worth less at resale than when they were originally sold at retail. Pricing varies by region also, conventional wisdom would have that revolver bringing more in CA than say KY because of regional interest. I'd never pay $700 for it, but I'm sure there are commemorative collectors that would if they needed it to fill a hole in their collection.
Strange - I think LAPD was still using the clamshell then, not sure on CHP.
Nope, it's like a 66 chambered in .38 special. It has a K-magnum frame (slightly larger in certain dimensions), it has a Baughman front sight unlike the 14's Patridge, and it has a ejector-shrouded barrel design.
Actionflies - I put the valuation data from the latest SCSW in my response above. I believe it's accurate based on the one or two I've seen trade in the last year.
Piedmont Plinker
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Ahh- I see now the enclosed underlug.
XavierBreath
Member
From SCS&W 3rd edition:
ANIB $750
EXC $600
VG $450
ANIB $750
EXC $600
VG $450
Professor Frink
Member
I suspect this is the one Moonclip is referencing.
trevorthebusdriver
Member
I have one.
Hi, I just inherited this gun from my dad and was googling to find out about it and found this thread.
Mine is brand new in the nice wood box with the belt buckle and everything...I think it's from 1976. The regular gun is model 67 and the ChiP version is model 68. I will post some pix if anyone is interested.
Hi, I just inherited this gun from my dad and was googling to find out about it and found this thread.
Mine is brand new in the nice wood box with the belt buckle and everything...I think it's from 1976. The regular gun is model 67 and the ChiP version is model 68. I will post some pix if anyone is interested.
alot of "almost right" answers. although i should add that none of my info is documented either...but i knew the dealer who provided them to the CHP (Bill Davis in Sacramento CA)
the CHP wanted to buy S&W M-66 .357 magnums, but ran into problems with the negative image of the magnum. they got S&W to make them a special run of 6" barreled M-66s (at the time the M-66 was only available in 2.5" and 4") fitted with the .38 spl cylinders from the M-67...the set the barrels back to adjust headspace. the issue ammo was the "Secret Service load" of 110gr JHP +P+ (this was the hottest ammo at the time and pushed the bullet at magnum velocities).
CHP officers i knew carried their M-68s in a Hoylt breakfront holster and used HKS or Dade speadloaders...most converted over to Safariland speedloaders when they came on the market.
the CHP wanted to buy S&W M-66 .357 magnums, but ran into problems with the negative image of the magnum. they got S&W to make them a special run of 6" barreled M-66s (at the time the M-66 was only available in 2.5" and 4") fitted with the .38 spl cylinders from the M-67...the set the barrels back to adjust headspace. the issue ammo was the "Secret Service load" of 110gr JHP +P+ (this was the hottest ammo at the time and pushed the bullet at magnum velocities).
CHP officers i knew carried their M-68s in a Hoylt breakfront holster and used HKS or Dade speadloaders...most converted over to Safariland speedloaders when they came on the market.
Radagast
Member
Trevor we are always interested in good gun porn. I've never seen one of these here in Australia so I'd love to see some more photos.
if i could get it in the state and through DROS...i'd take it...i don't suppose it's registered in CA?
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trevorthebusdriver
Member
It probably is. I just inherited this gun and a Stainless S&W 66 .357 from my dad who lived in CA. You have to register guns in CA, right?
spwenger
Member
I'm Under a Slightly Different Impression
There is some sort of history of rare incidents of unauthorized use of Magnum loads on LAPD, prompting that department to stop authorizing the carry of Magnum-chambered revolvers. It's not clear to me why LAPD would have been interested in M-68's because they never issued the +P+ Treasury load. In fact, as I recall, it was not until LAPD finally approved optional autoloaders, with hollowpoint ammo, that hollowpoints were issued for revolvers. The last revolver round issued for revolvers, prior to hollowpoints, as I recall, was a +P 125 gr. JSP, which reportedly did not perform any better than the previously issued 158 gr. RNL load.
As a side note, LASD issued the +P+ Treasury load, along with S&W M-15's. I have been told by a very reliable source that LASD was contacted by S&W with a warning that continued use of the +P+ load in the M-15's would void the warranties. S&W reputedly offered a trade in for M-19's or M-66's, which was declined. My source reports that shortly afterward the velocity dropped slightly in the issue load, even though Federal was still labeling it "38F-TD."
The CHP used to have a fairly loose ammo policy, that did allow for Magnum loads. In the aftermath of the 1970 Newhall incident, in which four relatively new officers were shot to death, some witnesses reported that the officers who fired their revolvers seemed to be surprised at the recoil. Subsequent investigation showed that while they were "legally" carrying Magnum loads, no records could be found that they had ever fired Magnum loads in training. (Up to that point, academy training used .38 Special wadcutter loads.) The result was that the CHP decided to issue the .38 Special 110 gr. +P+ "Treasury load," which was also to be used in training. Since this load was intended to be fired only in Magnum revolvers, CHP apparently decided to order the specially built M-68's, to handle the new load but to prevent the unauthorized use of Magnum loads.
There is some sort of history of rare incidents of unauthorized use of Magnum loads on LAPD, prompting that department to stop authorizing the carry of Magnum-chambered revolvers. It's not clear to me why LAPD would have been interested in M-68's because they never issued the +P+ Treasury load. In fact, as I recall, it was not until LAPD finally approved optional autoloaders, with hollowpoint ammo, that hollowpoints were issued for revolvers. The last revolver round issued for revolvers, prior to hollowpoints, as I recall, was a +P 125 gr. JSP, which reportedly did not perform any better than the previously issued 158 gr. RNL load.
As a side note, LASD issued the +P+ Treasury load, along with S&W M-15's. I have been told by a very reliable source that LASD was contacted by S&W with a warning that continued use of the +P+ load in the M-15's would void the warranties. S&W reputedly offered a trade in for M-19's or M-66's, which was declined. My source reports that shortly afterward the velocity dropped slightly in the issue load, even though Federal was still labeling it "38F-TD."
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