S&W Mod 19

[crazy mark]

I picked up a S&W model 19 with a 4" barrel today. The right grip panel has a inset that says San Diego Deputy Sheriff. How did this every get out of the PRK. The pistol isn't hot and came with a duty belt, holster and 2 speed loader pouches. Anybody know any thing about the grip panel.
Thanks, Mark

[9.3X62AL]

I suspect that grip panel inset is NOT an identifier to SDSO. Most departments that mark their firearms do so on the receiver or barrel, a far more permanent arrangement. Perhaps the revolver was formerly a personally-owned firearm of an agency member. By the late 1980's, most California agencies had converted to autopistols as authorized sidearms.

[EMC45]

Z guns or police trade ins are quite common. I once had a nickle plated 5 in. Mod10 that said Detroit Police Dept. stamped on the backstrap. Not electric pencil, but actually stamped.

[Bret4207]

All our revolvers were stamped on the frame "NYSP" or "NYST" for the really old ones. I'd imagine Al has it right.

[Jim]

I worked at a law enforcement supply business for a few months. A guy came in one day and ordered a set of grips for a 1911 with "SC SLED" on the grips. Maybe those grips you have came to be under similar circumstances.

[crazy mark]

Thanks for the info. One other thing I noticed today was the duty rig had p410831, p201027, p397957 and sw280xxx written in the leather. The sw 280xxx is the serial number of the m-19. I assume these are serial number of various guns that spent time in this rig.