Interesting Indiana revolver

[Leadeye]

Picked up this Colt Official Police that was marked ISP on the butt and it came with some interesting history. Ordered as a lot of 75 in 1935 the guns were furnished from Colt with a 3.5 pound trigger pull, something I did not know you could request. Purchased by the Indiana State Police Department of Safety, again not sure if that's ISP itself or maybe a division that takes care of logistical stuff, it was sold through Van Camp Hardware and Iron. This company located at Maryland and Missouri in Indianapolis was a part of the food preservation company that bears the same name, Van Camp that will go on to become Stokely Van Camp. One of the Van Camp family felt that they should branch out into non perishable items, like guns. VCH&I had a large catalogue like other hardware companies of the era and featured Colt revolvers. Other Colts I've collected come from Simmons Hardware in St. Louis as an example. I have an undated page of that catalogue, but from the models, it's about 20 years or more earlier in time than 1935.

From pork and beans to revolvers, these places must have been the Walmarts of their day.

 

[COOPADUP]

What a nice piece of history you got there.
Fantastic condition as well.

 

[Mij]

To cool. Is it in 38 spec. Or something else?

 

[TLHelmer]

Very cool and interesting! My understanding of our history is that our department has issued a number of firearms over the years. Some of them are on display at the Indiana State Museum. The history of the firearms is very interesting and well worth a trip to the museum.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Nice find. We had a cool hardware store back in the day.

I always imagined the early hardware stores were even better.

Actually we had 2. Alt's and Coast to Coast. Alt's was great, had an indoor archery range and a league. I miss those days.

 

[KellyinAvon]

Very cool!

 

[Amishman44]

Picked up this Colt Official Police that was marked ISP on the butt and it came with some interesting history. Ordered as a lot of 75 in 1935 the guns were furnished from Colt with a 3.5 pound trigger pull, something I did not know you could request. Purchased by the Indiana State Police Department of Safety, again not sure if that's ISP itself or maybe a division that takes care of logistical stuff, it was sold through Van Camp Hardware and Iron. This company located at Maryland and Missouri in Indianapolis was a part of the food preservation company that bears the same name, Van Camp that will go on to become Stokely Van Camp. One of the Van Camp family felt that they should branch out into non perishable items, like guns. VCH&I had a large catalogue like other hardware companies of the era and featured Colt revolvers. Other Colts I've collected come from Simmons Hardware in St. Louis as an example. I have an undated page of that catalogue, but from the models, it's about 20 years or more earlier in time than 1935.

From pork and beans to revolvers, these places must have been the Walmarts of their day. View attachment 207611 View attachment 207612

Very cool stuff...back when people were real and simply giving one's word, mattered!

 

[Mij]

Nice find. We had a cool hardware store back in the day.

I always imagined the early hardware stores were even better.

Actually we had 2. Alt's and Coast to Coast. Alt's was great, had an indoor archery range and a league. I miss those days.

I thought Alt’s was a one off (private) if so I know that store. The town also had a c to c. A five and dime Kreskees (sp) up town also. Is it even possible?

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Very cool story. Very nice Colt also.
Back in the day when auto parts and hardware stores sold guns.

 

[Jaybird1980]

I thought Alt’s was a one off (private) if so I know that store. The town also had a c to c. A five and dime Kreskees (sp) up town also. Is it even possible?

Alt's was a private owned store. Alt Williams owned it.
There was a C to C also.
I don't remember the name of the five and dime, but kreskee doesn't sound familiar

Probably possible if you know where Knox is.

 

[Mij]

Alt's was a private owned store. Alt Williams owned it.
There was a C to C also.
I don't remember the name of the five and dime, but kreskee doesn't sound familiar

Probably possible if you know where Knox is.

That’s the very store. Go Redskins. Kresgee, Across the street from C to C. Back in the day. You ever live there? We may have mutual aquaitentces

 

[Jaybird1980]

That’s the very store. Go Redskins. Kresgee, Across the street from C to C. Back in the day. You ever live there? We may have mutual aquaitentces

I grew up there and still live there. Sears was across from C to C. I kind of remember a five and dime being further north.

 

[Mij]

OK, S S Kresge. It became K mart in 77, might have been before you had knowledge of it. But it was across from C to C. Probably changed names a dozen times since then.

 

[Mij]

Went to Ruth Palmer 1st thru 6th, folks moved there to hide me and my brother from the draft. I fooled them and enlisted.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Yep, that would have been before my time.

 

[Mij]

My apologies to Leadeye, and all others. I’m sorry sir I got excited. I should have handled this in private. I’ll ask for your forgiveness and attempt to not do it again. Again my apologies.

 

[MindfulMan]

Love it, Leadeye !

 

[dekeshooter]

I have an axe from Van Camp hardware that has the same logo still used on the famous pork and beans. I know someone else with a Van Camp hatchet as well.

 

[KokomoDave]

Nice history of that pistol. Might be 38 S&W aka 38 light or 32 Police I wonder?

I still own Coast to Coast branded shotguns. Both are Mossbergs. My 22 CtoC rifle is a Winchester.

 

[Noble Sniper]

Neat revolver Leadeye…. and the Van Camp bean empire link is real neat!!! I fondled a 1817 Colt Army in 41 Colt the other day…. Neat old revolvers!!!