I bought a used 4566 with a factory melonite finish some time ago and was curious to know if this was a special run and if adds any value. It has nightsights and a decocker only. Any insight would be appreciated. **the pic is not my 4566, just for reference**



Also would like to say I just joined this forum after stumbling upon it recently. There is a wealth of knowledge to dig through here. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Jon96:
I bought a used 4566 with a factory melonite finish some time ago and was curious to know if this was a special run and if adds any value. It has nightsights and a decocker only. Any insight would be appreciated. **the pic is not my 4566, just for reference**



Also would like to say I just joined this forum after stumbling upon it recently. There is a wealth of knowledge to dig through here. Thanks.

There was an article about these in the S&W Collectors Association Journal a few years back. There was only 10 or 11 made for the run mentioned in the article, although author Wiley Clapp ended up with one that he wrote about in one of the gun magazines, perhaps Combat Handguns or something like that.

In any event, melonite on ANY of the third gen autos is pretty rare. I know they did some 5906Ms with melonite in 9mm and I know they made 4006s with melonite.

It is a great finish and they should have put it on other guns.

The 4566 is an excellent pistol. I own one and love it. I think the Melonite finish is a very attractive addition to the model. Congrats on an unusual piece.

Jerry

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There was an article about these in the S&W Collectors Association Journal a few years back. There was only 10 or 11 made for the run mentioned in the article, although author Wiley Clapp ended up with one that he wrote about in one of the gun magazines, perhaps Combat Handguns or something like that.
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Wow! If that is the case I might not shoot this on a regular basis as I have been... but its a nice gun so

I agree with both of you guys it would have been nice to see this finish on other pistols.

I took it to a gun shop and they could not identify it. They mentioned it possibly could be a run for Lew Horton. Anyone possibly be kind enough to give me a birthday on this: #RJF3***

Jon

Here one for sale in the classifieds.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5111039...651017523#4651017523

Looks like I'm gonna' get stainless 4566 soon and put this one away.

quote:

Originally posted by Jon96:
Looks like I'm gonna' get stainless 4566 soon and put this one away.

Jon: Probably not necessary. Unless you have one of the 10 or 11, then yours is not as rare. The article in question said the guns were made as a special order for these 8 or 9 guys (a couple of them bought two) with special features not included on regular guns.

If you will give me the serial number of yours or most of it, I can look to see if it is one of that run. For the most part, the serial numbers of the group of 10 or 11 I mentioned were the three initials of each owner followed by four numbers of the owner's choosing usually 0001. Thus if the name of the owner was John Q. Public, the serial number would have been JQP0001.

Let me know your serial number by private e-mail to shawnmccarver@aol.com and I will look it up for you.

NH Marine Patrol issues these as duty weapons, but they are transitioning to M&P's so there should be some hitting the market soon.

Just got a digital camera, so here it is (I used a pic I found on the web previously). And a 1006 I picked up a while back.