Silly question New M19-3 and "MPD" marking

N

ndonnine

Inactive
Howdy,

Picked up my first gun. Went with an M19-3 4" from a local dealer that seemed to be straight forward. And revolvers are just amazing so that was the way I went.

Anyway,

It's an M19-3 S&W trade stamped and all. Looks in pretty dang good shape. Not perfect. The gun is older than I am.

My real question, gun is marked with MPD on the left hand side under the cylinder. It's machine edge so the letters look good. I've been picture hunting and can't find another one on google that has MPD written on it. What makes me think it was put on after the creation of the gun is the M is slightly higher than the PD. Looks like they didn't take account for the curve above the trigger.

Anyone able to tell me what that might mean? I know MPD can be Metro Police Department, or Military Police Department. And I know these handguns were used for police at one point in time.

Thanks it has a 9k17651 # on it if that helps.:)
 
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Congrats on getting a fine weapon! The Model 19, as Bill Jorden said: "Is a Peace Officer's Dream!"

If yours is a 2 1/2" barrel it was probably used by an investigator or staff type. If it's the more common 4 inch, it was probably a patrol officer's sidearm. There was also a 6 inch model 66 made, but I never saw one of those as an issue gun, although we had officers that carried them.

The M could stand for any town or city starting with an "M."

Perhaps the gun shop could check with their jobber or distributer to see if they have any idea where it came from.
 
I have a model 10 4inch marked MPD. It's Memphis PD, and it's marked on the backstrap. I don't know if they were ever issued the 19s. Are u near a large city, starts with M?
 
I've never bought a gun with a Police Department stamping on it. Is or was that a common practice? And congrats on the 19. My favorite revolver.
 
Funny you should post that. I own a Model 66 with "MPD" stamped on the side too. Does yours look anything like mine? It's the one on the right.

PA300052.jpg
 
As a general rule, the Memphis Police Dept. did not issue the model 19. It's possible they used them in special circumstances, but I doubt it.
 
There are plenty of cities beginning with "M". I was told that my gun came from Memphis PD also. I'd sure like to see some photos of those of you who also ha e MPD guns.
 
I live in the Memphis area and to the best of my recollection the standard issue revolver was always the blued model 10 with factory wood grips. They carried them in black basket weave duty belts usually with two twist-stye speed loaders. The issued ammo changed a few times but (again IRCC) the used Federal hollowpoints with nickeled casings for a while. (Although that could have been the Shelby county sheriff department.)

They then switch to semiautos. Originally, IRCC it was the Beretta 92 in 9mm. Then I know for sure they uses S&W 5xxx in .40 and currently use Sig 229s in .40. (They may have used Glock Gen. 2s somewhere in there before the S&Ws but I can't be certain from memory.)

There are alot of cities that start with "M" and the S&W dominance in the revolver market makes it hard to narrow it down. I do know Memphis did stamp MPD on alot of their revolvers and on the S&W autos.

You should try the S&W forum. They have alot of people on there with alot of S&W knowledge. They could most likely help you trace it back to the original owner/dealer/department if it came straight from the factory. Also, I would let geographic location sway you too much because most surplus LEO guns get bought and resold buy other companies.
 
Yes the MPD looks like that on your gun. It has the lowered P on it, but I don't have a serial number on mine under the MPD, it's actually stuck under the rear of teh barrel(bore?) when you slide out the barrel it can be seen.

Maybe I'll hit up the shop where i got it. I'll post up a picture later.. When I find my digital camera. My phone camera is not very good.
 
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