Les Jones: Roy Jinks Letters from Smith & Wesson

June 20, 2007

Guns > Roy Jinks Letters from Smith & Wesson

This is me saving a link to the page for requesting a letter from Smith & Wesson. For $30 S&W wlll research your S&W's serial number and tell you exactly when the gun was produced and where it was originally shipped. Here's a sample letter.

The information letters are thanks to the research of S&W company historian Roy Jinks. The Boston Globe has a surprsingly upbeat story about Jinks a few years ago. I guess it helps that S&W is a Massachusetts company.

I have an unusual S&W Model 64 revolver I want lettered. Model 64s are chambered in .38 Special, but this one is a .357 Magnum. According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson S&W made heavy barrelled Model 64s in .357 Magnum for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1972. The guns had no special markings to indicate OHP use. There were 750 "Oklahoma Highway Patrol Commemorative" models made in 1973, and I'm guessing this was one of those.

In 1972 S&W startied offering that configuration as the Model 65. Mine is marked 64-1 under the crane amd the owner's manual is for the ".38 Military and Police Stainless Revolver Model No. 64," but has ".357 Magnum" on the side of the barrel. The pre-printed sticker on the box says 64, but the hand-written label says 65.

The gun is unfired, which is why I suspect it's one of the Commemorative models - it's hard to imagine an OHP not being fired. It has the original box and papers, and the serial numbers on the gun, box, and wooden grips all match. It's the only gun I own that I don't plan on firing.

Posted by lesjones | TrackBack

Comments

Are you interested in selling that OHP revolver? I have been searching for one for quite some time. If you are interested please feel free to contact me at dmccutcheon@earthlink.net
The OHP Comm. is the 64-1 it was specially made for the OHP and nobody else. Most of the ones that I have seen have a badge sketched on the side of the gun and Oklahoma Highway Patrol etched on the barrel. What is yours like?

Posted by: Dave at June 24, 2007

This one doesn't have any special markings for OHP. I wonder if it was an overrun. I guess the letter will settle it.

Posted by: Les Jones at June 24, 2007

I have some pictures of the one that I purchased some time back, I am looking to purchase more for some trooper friends of mine. Anyways I can email you the pictures of the one that I have if you are interested. My gun came in a wooden case with the Oklahoma State Seal on the top. I am in the process right now of purchasing a gun from a gentleman that was an original issue in the first patrol school in 1937. Anyways if you would like to see my gun just give me a shout at the email addy in the first comment.

Posted by: Dave at June 25, 2007

Have you sold the OHP Model 65 gun yet? I have been looking for one for my husband for almost 3 years now and cannot find one.He is an oklahoma state trooper. If you have sold it , do you have any idea where I would be able to find another one? I am not real good finding guns, I just have no idea where to start looking?
Thanks

Posted by: LACI at February 20, 2008

I have a Model 64-1 in .357 magnum for sale. If anyone is interested I will forward some pics. THe gun is mechanically sound and shoots quite well. The grips are excellent. It does show some wear on the stainless finish that is most likely from being in a holster. Overall, nice shape. All offers will be considered.

Posted by: Jeff at November 01, 2008

My e-mail address is jsmppd730@comcast.net

Posted by: Jeff at November 01, 2008