I recently acquired a Model 64 (no dash) with a tapered and pinned 4" barrel, round butt. Is this combination of features common ? Was it a regular commercial offering, or maybe a contract configuration for a LEO ?

That's an early gun. IIRC, they went away from that configuration early on and went with heavy barrel.
When I see these early ones offered for sale, they usually bring a premium price.

NOW...........

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Don't rule out a barrel swap either. I guy I worked with got a 2.5 inch RB Model 66 from a family member, but our Department policy was 4 inch barrel only while in uniform. He sent in to S&W for a 4 inch barrel. It was the only RB 4 inch 66 that I saw in the 1980's.

Thanks for the info .... Is there an easy way to find out if the gun is in original configuration, etc. ?

Easy, yes. Cheap, no.
A factory letter from Roy Jinks, the S&W historian can be had for $50.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Can you post photos and a (partial) SN? The standard original 64 was a square butt frame, but anything is possible. If it is stamped under the barrel on the frame with anything in addition to MOD 64 (that is, -1, -2) it has had its barrel swapped.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Serial number is D5030## stamped on bottom of grip frame.

I might consider swapping this for a Model 649 ..... or model 38 , bodyguards.

Based on the stamping on the right bottom edge of the grip frame (circle/U?) being partially cut off, I would guess it was modified from a SB frame, but it looks like someone did a nice job.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I think that's a very desirable gun for carry, and yes, you can shoot Plus P CTG in it!

The M-10 and M-64 are hard to find with round butts & standard four-inch barrels. I think if more had reached the market, they'd have sold better. Maybe not... It takes a fairly sophisticated handgunner to recognize the value of that version.

I passed on a chance for one of those years ago before I realized how hard they were to find. Bad me.

I have a model 10 in this exact same configuration. It is still my favorite S&W revolver and will never be sold or traded by me. It was one of my authorized handguns for my work in the 1980's and carried it on and off duty until Glock 17s were issued and all revolvers were disallowed for any carry on the badge. This was a great gun for those days when my issued 581 was just too much weight on the belt. It is still, in my hands, the most accurate handgun I own. Your Model 64 version is very useful and I may either find or have one built if I ever retire and can qualify under HR 218 with it. Carrying Glocks all the time gets old sometimes...