Quote:
Sgt127,
Your Gov't model and 4" RM have me drooling. Is that the original finish on the 4"? It looks absolutely amazing.
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No...sadly. It appears it was ordered in 1936 and, according to the stamps on the butt, refinished at the factory in 1958. It also originally shipped with a 6" barrel.
By best guess? It was issued in 1936, the trooper carried until he retired, bought (or was given the gun), sent it back to the factory for a shorter barrel and a reblue (a 4" would be a lot handier as a retirement gun than a 6") and then never actually carried it again, maybe shot it a few times.
The 5" originally went to the Louisiana SP as I recall. It wound up in Dallas where a Policeman carried it. He finally retired as a Deputy Chief. Got it direct from the family. In all its well worn glory....