What does U.S. Customs mean?

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

I recently picked up a Colt Official Police .38 and on the backstrap of the grip, it is stamped, "U.S. CUSTOMS." What exactly does that mean? My google skills came up short.

[v/dBrink]

It means at one time it was property of....

I once had a S&W MP with TVA on the backstrap. Tennessee Valley Authority. Guns like that are kinda cool as they have some history you can see.

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Cool. Thanks for the reply. I checked the serial number and it shows a manufacture date of 1942. It would be cool to get the paperwork from Colt and find out more details.

[AR15Man]

PM Sent

[Emdawg]

Here is their website:

http://www.cbp.gov/

[Mike A]

They were marking some of their sidearms fairly recently--I had a .38 Special Ruger stainless "Service Six" with that marking several years ago. It was made in 1974 and I sold it to a collector who specializes in LEA-marked revolvers.

[RAMCHARGER]

My Dad had a Colt Python marked LAPD once. Won it in a card game if I recall. I was a kid then and he let me shoot a ton of .38s outta it

[dinkydau]

As a Security Policeman in the Air Force, 1967-1971, the handguns we had, was the Smith&Wesson, .38 Speical, model 15, Combat Masterpiece, 4" barrel. I was assigned to the Armory at Travis AFB after 1yr at Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam and these were issued to the troops, mainly in Law Enforcement and NCO's. It could have, but I was told they had "Prop. of US Air Force, stamped on them. I don't remember. They probably did.
I always look for one of those to show up somewhere. Doesn't need to have the Air Force stamping on it though. Just to have it in my assorted collection would be nice.