This Model 66, K940149, was manufactured in May 1970. It is one of the first one hundred Model 66s made by S&W, who announced this model and began regular shipments in 1971. It was shipped in a silver box and accompanied by a Parts & Instruction Sheet for a Model 19.

Bill

Beautiful! Everything you need and nothing you don't. Thanks for sharing it with us. Regards 18DAI.

Pretty gun-I noticed it also has the trigger stop-a nice touch that was soon forgotten.

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Forum consigliere

Very nice Bill.
When did S&W switch to the RR WO sights on these, and the 67's?

These early Model 66s have really become collectable and are bringing top dollar on auction sites. S&W didn't produce a lot of them with the all stainless rear sights, yours is a beautiful example and obviously well cared for. Thanks for sharing.

Magnificent specimen.

Beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing

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John 3:17
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Very nice and beautiful Mod 66. I like the looks of the stainless sights.

picked this one up last year for $325 from a guy that was getting rid of a few guns to pursue other things.
one of the cool things about collecting is finding out you have something w/a variation that makes it a bit more desirable.

Attached Images

model 66.JPG (113.6 KB, 589 views)

Beautiful 66.
Nice photos Doc.

586L-Frame

Excellent pictures as always!
I had the chance to buy one of those back in '02 and passed on it.
You live, you learn!
Thanks for sharing!

Great picture! That's the nicest 66 I've seen in some time!

Waaaaaaaaaay toooo cool. Thank you for sharing.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

The stainless rear sights are way cool until you actually have to aim at something, especially on a bright day! I liked them for their looks and cool factor, and picked up a set back in the day when they could be had as standard spare parts, but they stay with the spare parts to show a neat feature, and the WO/RR sights are on the working 66. I'm afraid the subject of this thread would stay home looking pretty if it were mine, 'cause it surely does that well!

Froggie

I have a very early 66 with all stainless sights. It's a beautiful gun but, boy, those sights can be maddening, particularly on a bright day when the sun's coming from over your shoulder. I can't for the life of me figure out what possessed the designers/engineers at Smith to think that all stainless sights would work effectively. The concept didn't last very long -- only a year or so -- before they switched back to blued sights.

Great looking 66. They are very handsome revolvers.
Howard

Beautiful revolver. I am jealous. I've been looking hard locally for no-dash Model 66 revolvers. They are scarce around here.

Very nice - been looking for one for years.

Hi Bill,

That is a beauty. I started My LE career with one just like it in 1971. I sold it like a fool and tried to find it later to no avail. I put a yellow front sight and white outline rear in mine so I could see the sights better.

Tom

Still have mine. Bought it when they first came out and carried it for many years. Some holster wear and I rounded the corners on the rear site a bit after gouging myself a few times. A very good shooter.

I often questioned the wisdom of the SS sites, but never changed them.

Beautiful specimen. Nice photography too.

I think that's the first time I've see a trigger stop on a 66 - were they also on the Model 19's ? I have a 19-3, but no trigger stop ....

The early Model 66s have a trigger stop as do the Model 19s. I have a 19-3 with a trigger stop. It is my understanding some owners of 19s had the trigger stop removed because of problems it may cause. I don't know much about this, but have heard about it on this forum. Eventually, the trigger stop was discontinued by S&W, but I am not sure when.

Bill

I have a 66 made in 1972 has the trigger stop.Allso a early 67 with
the trigger stop.
Dick

Yes, I remember reading here too that the trigger stop was dropped on the magnums due to some alleged problem, but the frame was still cut for it, and was still installed on non-magnum target guns.

S&W sent out a notice to LE armorers in the early 80s advising removal of the trigger stop. The stop was adjustable by a small screw that held it in place. There were a few instances of the screw working loose and allowing the stop to protrude enough that a full trigger stroke wasn't possible thus preventing the revolver from firing. We were instructed to pull the side plate and remove the screw and stop. S&W shipped revolvers with out the trigger stop after that.

Regarding the all stainless sights, my first PD issued Model 66 was a very early gun and I managed to shoot several "possibles" on the old Tactical Revolver Course in spite of the sights. This included eighteen rounds from the fifty yard line.

I didn't buy that gun when the PD traded them in and I've kicked myself since. You found a keeper, congratulations.

What I find interesting about Doc's 66 is the target hammer. The box is even marked as having a target hammer.

I bought my 66 in early 1979, and wanted to doll it up with both a target hammer and trigger. At that time the Model 19 was still THE law enforcement revolver, and the "gunners" all had their 19's fitted with the red ramp and white outline sights, the target hammers & triggers and nice custom stocks.

I called S&W, but was told target hammers and triggers were not available in the "stainless" (hard chrome) finish. It wasn't until the mid '80's that I was finally able to order a set. Of course as fate would have it I got used to the standard hardware on the 66, and only changed to the target controls for a very short time.

I'm waiting (Kalifornia, don'tcha know) on a 4" M66 that my LGS has.

It's no dash, P&R, & has the stainless sights, but the trigger & hammer are case colored. Both 66s in this thread have chromed T & H. Any significance there?

Didn't write the SN down but IIRC it started 4K....

I'd be interested in any thoughts you might have on it. It's gonna be a shooter. This is my first K frame. I'm not a collector but I'm always interested in any stories or those subtle nuances you experts always seem to come up with re S&W models & changes.

Next time I go there I'll get some pics & full SN.

Fishslayer...The hammer and trigger are replacements for the originals.

Bill

Perfect! I have a dash 1 4" that I really like but I think I like yours a little more.

66-1 TT TH with trigger stop

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Newby to forum, first post. Just started shooting again after stroke few years ago, and had to get something smaller than Model 29-44mag. that i punched holes in paper with and the occassional whitetail. Stroke afffected right arm/hand, too week to handle the big gun. I digress. Just bought Mod. 66-4".
Mint condition, also has trigger stop, pinned barrell, recessed cylinder head. I shot before purchasing as did my friend (not who I bought revolver from) who is a retired Police Officer and very good with a wheelgun. He shot quite well witth the gun using Hornady 158 gr. jacketed H. P.-38 spcl cartridges. I not as well but has been 3 years since I have fired a round through any pistol. He didn't know age of revolver, but said it was one of the good ones and he use to carry as his service revolver. Said I could call Smith/Wesson pay them $35-$50, give them serial # on butt and they would tell me production date. Also is book available, but it costly also. My question. Could anyone reading this tell me production date of this revolver, on butt is 35K2162. Thanks for reading an Old man's ramblings, I appreciate.

I reckon olman yours is 1978 mid-late year.

thanks, your opinion do I have a winner?

Caj, most LE agencies either speced 'em without overtravel stops, or their armorers took them out. They were known to keep the gun from firing if they became loose, & lost adjustment. I actually had a Model 19 tie up that way, many years ago. Took a screwdriver to get it going again, took it out & tossed it too.

Gorgeous photo - great gun. I've got a similar gun (no box or papers) that I picked up for ~$425 here in California a few years ago. It has a serial of 2K7****, dating to 1972 according to SCSW.

--Neill

(seen here with a pair of non-period-correct Magnas from a 581)

"... do I have a winner?"

Yes, indeed you do.

I think the M-66 is probably the ideal all-round revolver.
Others can excel more in some areas, but it makes a splendid single handgun.

T-Star

Thanks Buff and Lonestar for reinforcing my purchase. Any suggestions on this forum where I can learn more aboutt the Mod. 66? Thanks, Yall

Sorry T-Star for getting your username incorrect.

I have M66 SN K949187, numbered 47 after yours. Silver box, and all. Got a letter from Roy saying the guns started at 949100 so we got REALLY early guns. Funny thing though. Shipments started in 1971 and mine shipped in 1975. 4 year shelf life. S&W did NOT ship in numerical sequence! Love model 66's

I wonder if the stainless sights had anything to do with the early days stainless guns -- when it was a novelty. I can remember magazine gun writers in the 1970s taking stainless guns (and the 66 was a prime candidate) and throwing them in lakes, burying them in mud, throwing them in boat bilges and all manner hostile environments and then recovering them after a period of time, hosing them off and seeing if they would fire (didn't read an article where it didn't). I'll bet the stainless sights where in response to this kind of abuse that seemed to be rampant at the time.

A fabulous picture and informative thread on the early Mod.66. In addition to Doc 44's vast knowledge another moderator has done extensive research on the Mod. 66 revolvers. snw19_357 has compiled a ton of info on these guns for those who may be seeking some additional facts.

For those who may be interested I've added a picture showing a different angle and sight picture common with that seen with the all stainless sights. Hope this adds something....

Doc44- Was there any sort of finish restoration done to your 66? It looks so perfect...

Rimbaud...the finish is original, no restoration or polishing.

Bill

sandwtrader...Your 66 and mine were kept by the factory until being shipped in 1975. As I understand it, many of the prototype 66s were used for special purposes and demonstration guns until being shipped several years after they were made.

Bill

Amazing info. I've always marveled at the condition of yours. Do you think it has a higher level of finish and detail work given its original use?

The "prototype" Model 66s and 629s (made in 1978) have a finish that is a little nicer than the production guns. The 66s also have a target hammer and the 629s have a target trigger that is 0.500 inch wide, rather than 0.400 inch that is on the production guns.

Bill

My 4" M66 is one of my favorite shooters. Thanks for sharing, nice gun!

That's a beauty Doc.