I have own several Escorts they are fun at the range but only hold 5 rounds and they are not tolerant of dirt.
I recently aquired a 61-2 with a serial number in the model 61 range (B26XX) if you go with conventional wisdom that model 61 serial #'s were between B1001 thru B7800. When I inquired with S&W they responded that the firearm was produced between 1970-78. Before I invest in a Smith archive letter I thought I would check to see if any members had any insight on Smith's serial numbers; I'd hate to think they are just random.

Thanks