Police Story (TV Series)

Police Story (1973-1977) The image of Erik Estrada drawing his revolver is likely from the film The New Centurions, as the actor never appeared in an episode of this series.

Police Story was an anthology crime series that ran on the NBC network from 1973 to 1977. The series was created by Joseph Wambaugh (The Blue Knight & The New Centurions), the successful crime novelist and 14 year veteran of the L.A.P.D. (1960-1974), and is notable for being the first series to depict police officers as humans instead of machines - warts and all. Police Story was considered to be the archetype for later dramatic police series such as Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, and Homicide: Life on the Street. Several notable actors appeared in this series including Sylvester Stallone, Lincoln Kilpatrick, Kurt Russell, Jan-Michael Vincent, Alex Cord, and Angie Dickinson, (whose episode she appeared in became the pilot for her own series Police Woman). In addition several of the episodes were written by a young Michael Mann.

The following weapons were used in the television series Police Story (TV Series):

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 10

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is one of the most common revolvers seen throughout the series run.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special

L.A.P.D. Officer Dave Hauser (right side) (Jan-Michael Vincent) with a Smith & Wesson Model 10 in "Line of Fire".

On the left, L.A.P.D. Cadet Crawford (Kurt Russell) trains with the S&W Model 10 in "Country Boy".

Colt Detective Special

The Colt Detective Special is seen being used by detectives and occasionally criminals.

Colt Detective Special 1st Gen - .38 Special

Sgt. Joe LaFrieda (Vic Morrow) fires at a suspect in Countdown.

Detective Koster (Martin Balsam) fires at a suspect.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose

In addition to the Colt Detective Special some of the L.A.P.D. detectives are seen using the S&W Model 10 Snubnose.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special. Same frame, but with smaller grips and 2 inch barrel.

Sergeant Charlie Ryan (Earl Holliman) qualifying with his S&W Model 10 Snubnose in "Fingerprint".

Beretta M1951

The Beretta M1951 is one of the most frequently used pistols used by criminals in the various episodes.

Beretta M951 - 9x19mm

Star Model B

A would be assassin in the episode "Chief" uses a Star Model B. As was typical of the time period the Star is substituting for the Colt Model 1911A1. There is a shot showing the handgun laying next to the assassin. Note the external extractor which identifies it as a Star.The Star Model B appeared in many episodes during this series run.

Blued Star Model B - 9x19mm pistol from the movie The Untouchables (1987). This one is a screen used and fired handgun in the movie and was used by Kevin Costner on screen.

The dead assassin in the episode "Chief" with the Star Model B laying next to him. Note the external extractor.

Shotguns

Ithaca Model 37

The Ithaca 37 is frequently used by officers and detectives throughout the run of the show.

Ithaca Model 37 riot version - 12 Gauge

SWAT Officer Scully (Alex Cord) is armed with the Ithaca 37 in "Line of Fire".

Officer Dave Hauser (Jan-Michael Vincent) with an Ithaca 37 in "Line of Fire".

Officer Dave Hauser (Jan-Michael Vincent) wields the Ithaca 37 in "Line of Fire".

Detective Sally Pickle (Joe Santos) with an Ithaca 37 in "Countdown".

Pickle (Joe Santos) holds the Ithaca 37 in "Countdown".

Sgt. LaFrieda (Vic Morrow) with an Ithaca 37 in "Countdown".

Double Barreled shotgun

The 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun was also used frequently by criminals in the show throughout the series' run.

1960s Era Commercial Stevens hammerless side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge.

A barricaded suspect takes aim at Cadet Crawford (Kurt Russell) with a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun in "Country Boy".

Rifles

M16

The first generation M16 is used by L.A.P.D. S.W.A.T. during the first season. Note the pronged flash suppressor and no forward bolt assist.

The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

L.A.P.D. Officer Dave Hauser (Jan-Michael Vincent) as with an M16.

Weatherby Mk V Rifle

It appears that the S.W.A.T. team sniper, Officer Scully (Alex Cord) uses a Weatherby Mark V in .300 Weatherby Magnum.

Weatherby Mk. V rifle - .300 Weatherby Mag

M1 Carbine

A would be assassin uses an M1 Carbine in an attempt to kill the L.A.P.D. police chief in the episode "Chief".It appears that the M1 Carbine used in the episode is a Plainfield M1 Carbine (or at least a carbine that was heavily remodeled) with a pistol grip, ventilated barrel cover and post-WWII folding stock and an optical scope. In the early seventies the M1 Carbine was used heavily in movies/television as the weapon of choice for criminals.

M1 Carbine manufactured by Plainfield, with pistol-grip, post-WWII paratrooper stock and vertical foregrip - .30 Carbine.