Michigan State Police History Question

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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Back in the day (how’s that for a non-descript time frame) but starting around 1969, Smith & Wesson produced a special run of Model 38 revolvers with stainless steel cylinders. These were delivered to Michigan Police Supply and reported to be a special order for the Michigan State Police as issued backup guns. The guns are typical S&W model 38 J-frames with alloy frames (Bodyguard Airweight, 1 7/8” barrel) BUT have stainless steel cylinders fitted. So, the finish is a combination of black anodized aluminum (frame), blued steel (barrel, ejector rod, trigger, thumbpiece, etc.) and stainless steel (cylinder).

What was the purpose of that stainless steel cylinder? If it was for rust-resistance, then why have the carbon steel barrel, ejector rod, trigger, etc.?

Was it for identification? Was it just a fluke to be unique with no purpose?


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Image stolen from internet
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Having worked in LE in Ohio in 1970-72, I agree with Outpost75. I don't remember them even having an effective blacking for stainless steel in those days. I know Winchester had made stainless barrels darker by plating them with copper and another layer of iron and then rust bluing. That was way too much effort for a cop gun.
 
Snakeoil

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
You have to wonder if the idea did not come from S&W and was sold to MSP. S&W might have had an excess of those parts and decided to cobble together a gun that they could sell cheaply to an entity that was not going to be concerned about appearance. MSP might have gone to S&W and ask them what they had in a lightweight concealed carry gun and they came up with this for a low price.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Snakeoil said:
You have to wonder if the idea did not come from S&W and was sold to MSP. S&W might have had an excess of those parts and decided to cobble together a gun that they could sell cheaply to an entity that was not going to be concerned about appearance. MSP might have gone to S&W and ask them what they had in a lightweight concealed carry gun and they came up with this for a low price.
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That is possible. There was not a lot of market since civilian concealed carry was unlawful almost every where at this time period. I know I bought a Colt Agent because the S&W Model 60 was on back order for 6 months even for LE folks.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Model 60s and 66s were The Hot Ticket when I came on board in 1977. After the L-frames got traction c. 1981, the 66 lost some luster, but the 60 and its spin-offs remain strong sellers as backup and off-duty items. Keep in mind--my shop didn't authorize carry of the 357 Magnum ammo until 1994--until then it was all 38 Special 110 grain +P in our wheelguns. The FBI's vaunted Federal #357B load (125 grain JHP @ 1425 FPS from my 686 x 4") wasn't given the nod until 2014--almost 10 years after I retired. Bureaucracies move at glacial speed.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Where I worked, carry what ever you wanted in plain clothes, but you had to qualify with duty revolver with 158 grain LRN. Those of us who could afford them, carried 110 grain Super-Vels. Fifty rounds cost three hours of wages, so sometimes two guys would split a box.
 
P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
So, the consensus is rust resistance without spending too much money.

Sounds logical.

Considering that the S&W models 638 & 640 didn’t appear until 1989, that may have been the best rust resistant option with a shrouded or internal hammer J-frame in 1969.
 
Missionary

Missionary

Well-Known Member
I have to agree with Kieth... I like it.
When I was re-working DW revolvers to make "swap calibers" ended up with one of the Supermag frames in blue but the only cylinder available was made in SS. I thought it would be an easy issue to "blue" SS but all the smith's told me the same thing... "leave it as is".
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
At the height of the 44 Magnum Craze c. 1974-75, one of the gun shops I infested at the time had 4-5 'Saddle Shoe' N-frames--blue-steel receivers with nickel-steel cylinders and barrels. Their were a couple with nickeled receivers and blue-steel barrels and cylinders, too. The dealer's asking price in mid-70s dollars was $400. My thoughts at the time were "That's a lot of money to shell out for a complete abomination" when I could buy my first handgun--a S&W Model 28 x 6"--for $189 plus tax, and did so in June 1976.

Rust resistance was huge with our guys at Indio Station when I started. NO, we didn't didn't have road salt to contend with, but we did have massive humidity and salt air around the Salton Sea. Stainless steel sidearms were a godsend.
 
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