When was this standard issue SAT?

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Matthew Conrad

No, this would be a SAO.

Normally I'd refer you to the Expert Commentary at the top of the page for a complete chronology of SATs, but it's not working for me today.

The answer is 1991-Present: Flat oval blued steel key chain style with (2) blades.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Beginning in 1991.

Since my interest in S&W stops dead in its tracks in 1982, I've never even held one of these in my hand. But I've seen a few . . .

Edit: As usual, Jim is a step ahead of me!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Okay, if we made a list of members that know trivia related to S&W SAT's, I would rank down at the very bottom. I bow to you guys.

With that said however, my first two S&W revolvers are late 1988 and mid 1989 according to the telltale box end label and both have the (cheap) double ended keychain blade as shown.

These are Models 17-6 and 686-3 respectively.

So I'll suggest that I have evidence that suggests earlier than 1991.

You've identified a key anomaly of Smith production.

As is usually the case with any S&W changes, there's no firm date for any change. There's only a transition period. When a date is identified it can be the earliest date that a change is first observed. Some identify the date the change was complete for all models.

The most specific identification includes the date the change is ordered at the factory, the earliest observation of the change transition period, and the end date. But recognize that the last two dates are moving targets and always will be. It's not unlike archaeology; there's constantly new discoveries.

Plus the 'three date' identification can be cumbersome. So each "picks is own poison" more or less.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Well, if it helps the commentary authors, I can dig out and post up Julian dates for these two models. If it's simply another drop of water in a sea of anomalies, I understand that as well.

I can also say that the 17-6 is a dash-6 with the standard (classic?) target barrel, as later 17-6 models moved to the heavy full-lug barrel. For years I was baffled why such a (seemingly) large change would not generate a new engineering change/dash number, but it has since been explained to me and I've come to accept it.

Sea of Anomalies was the name of my progressive jazz band.

Just wanted to add that my old "45 CAL MODEL OF 1989" also came with the pictured SAT/O.

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TEAM DNF

Seen a few in 14-6 and 17-6 full lug models.

Colt provided a similar keychain SAT back in the late 1970s, but with 4 blades.