I have a S&W model 66 manufactured in 1974. On the frame it is stamped Mod. 67 with a "66" stamped over top of the 67. I contacted S&W and all they could tell me was the year of manufacture. They said the overstamping could be a factory error and that the gun was "very unique". Has anyone ever heard of this situation and what, if any, effect this would have on the guns value. The guns over all condition is very good. I purchased it from a police officer in 1982 so the gun has been used.

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Mis-stampings on coins make them quite valuable. Mis-stampings on firearms..not so much.It does make for an interesting curiosity,however,most won't pay more for a mistake, than a for perfect example. That said..I would enjoy seeing a photo ..

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My Daddy was a pistol..

It is clearly a Model 66, not a Model 67. The overstamp simply reflects an error by the fitter, which he corrected. There isn't a mystery here and this is something we've seen before. It happens. People make mistakes.

The factory rep you spoke to got the date right - 1974. Good for him, because the 4K numbers spanned three years, 1972-1974. On the other hand, his comment about the gun being "very unique" is amusing. Yes, overstrikes are rare, but the word "unique" cannot accept a modifier. "Unique" means one of a kind, so something is either unique or it is not unique. It cannot be "very" unique.

In any case you have a nice gun there. The overstrike doesn't add or subtract from its value. Enjoy it.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

".... the word "unique" cannot accept a modifier. "Unique" means one of a kind, so something is either unique or it is not unique. It cannot be "very" unique."

Amazing how many do not understand this.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Agreed; at least no one has called it "horrifically" unique....yet.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I was going to ask if it might not be a built-up 66 (unlikely, I suppose) but now that the grammar-nazis have taken control here I'm afraid to say much, so just forget I posted this, please.

What about Alliant Unique?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It's unique to Alliant...

Welcome to the FORUM! Parts don't get wasted. So, things happen especially when model (engineering) changes are being made. Enjoy your 66-1/2. No, it is a 66. Bob

I have a model 57 marked as a model 29. No over stamp. Strange, but sometimes mistakes slip through.

Well Said M29since14.

One of the things I really like about this forum is being able to share thoughts - most of the time , without having to worry about members ripping into you because the thought or question was not vetted by a team of forensic examiners before posting

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DAV Life Member

Hold on here. No one - certainly not me - was "ripping into" anyone. I simply said I found the factory rep's comment amusing because of his rather common misuse of the word "unique." I was sharing that amusement with all of you - my constant companions on this great Forum. My note certainly wasn't intended to be offensive to anybody.

As for Alliant's Unique powder, I believe Hercules (the company that introduced it) actually was using the word correctly. The idea being that this powder is unique - no other like it. Actually a great name for a gunpowder, in my opinion. Personally, I have been using Unique for certain loads for more than 50 years. My brother and I started handloading shotshells in 1963.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I agree with JP on this one. He just made a unique point very uniquely. I enjoyed it and didn't feel I was being schooled.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I have a CZ 75 BD that is marked 85B. I did not realize it at first until someone brought it to my attention after seeing a pic of it on a forum. I called CZ USA and they verified it was in fact built as a 75 BD. I offered to send it back for the latest and greatest CZ 9mm but they said it's not that unusual!

I have a mdl 66 that is stamped over 67. So at least ther are two
Of them. So the question is it worth more or less?

I have a mdl 66 stamped over 67. I purchased it new. So there are at lest two of these guns. Are they worth more or less.

S&W is no stranger to building a gun on the wrong model number....

People on g-broker seem to think they hit the Powerball with mismarked pieces, but most wouldn't pony up a premium for it.

I'll try, but your whole attitude suggests that you may be one of those board worthies who spells "knives" as "knifes." Good Lord, what must educated people who visit here think of the way some members spell and punctuate? And THAT, my lad, is what they'll think of "gun people." The "antis" try to present gun owners as ignorant rednecks. That's the image they want the public to have of us!


That's why this is more important than you seem to realize.


Actually, I was going to post about that error, but Jack beat me to it.


If you want to use "very" as a modifier, you can say "very unusual" instead of "very unique."

I'm more concerned if the frame got the correct heat treatment for a .357. A Model 67 is a .38!

^^^ Why would you think the heat treatment is different between the two models?

According to Roy Jinks, the factory historian, the magnum frames received a different heat treatment.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The process is same for all frames.

Not looking to start an argument, but I could see how that may have been the case in 1935 when they just got started with high pressure revolvers. I don't see how that would make any sense from a mass manufacturing process. Especially when there is no real downside to the heat treat time consumption outside of a war economy.

At any rate, I called S&W about their more recent production because I was looking to install a .44 Magnum cylinder in a 24-6 6" tapered barrel gun. They said all of their parts have been heat treated the same since at least the second World War. Whether or not it's true is debatable, I guess.

Nice looking gun. The mis-stamp or over-stamp is an oddity but just like with most Ruger's and other brands ..... no change to the value.

Oh, great pics too.

Well Mr. curt swiger, do you see what you've done with your over stamped revolver now? Everyone, members, brothers, friends, their all furious with each other. There's gonna be internet gun play, I just know it!
The nominal velocity of propagation (NVP) of a high-speed internet connection is plus or minus 70% (70% speed of light). Do you know what an otherwise slow, target grade .38 special at 700 fps can do when fired through the internet? That bullet will be traveling at 690,000 fps! Why, that'll go clean through a man, and his office wall, and then through a neighboring house, or houses! The carnage I'm talking about here, will be "uniquely" devastating! I suggest everyone just drop their collective mice AND RUN - NOW, before it's too late!
P.S.,
You have a great revolver there, enjoy.
And, welcome to the forum, it's a great place.

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Jeb

Yeah, I guess! Especially since S&W has bragged over the years that their Magnum guns require special chrome-nickel steel alloys and added heat treatment, accountng in part for their higher prices.


As far as I'm concerned, that trumps whatever some random guy told you. If he was telling you that a Model 24 has the same steels and heat treatment as a Model 29, I'd take his statement with a grain of salt, unless an official factory spokesman familiar with the matter issues a statement to the contrary.


I think Roy Jinks would know which is the case and so would the ad dept., which made those claims.


My thanks to Muley Gil for mentioning Roy's comment.

Sorry: I can't get the Bold Face format to shut off. I didn't turn it on. Must be one of the various problems with the board.

I would be interested to know the time frame Mr Jinks indicated if any. Sorry my perspective seemed so silly to you, Mr Star.

I asked him if it would be safe to install a M29 cylinder in my M544 (built in 1986). He told me the heat treatment was different for the non-magnum frames.

To me, it makes sense. It all boils down to dollars and cents. You don't add any expense that would increase costs.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I am going to send Mr. Jinks a letter and ask him where he stands on the practice of using a modifier with an absolute.

I doesnt to me. You're running the furnace anyway. Why not throw them all in there?...especially if you run this risk building the wrong gun on a wrong frame (model 67 over stamped 66...they would do this if they werent treated the same? I would be scared to death of that scenario if my salary depended on it.) Seems like big unnecessary liability to me. It's ok, we can agree to dissagree. I honestly do appreciate the discourse

Technically, Unique was introduced, about 1900, by the Laflin & Rand Powder Co. It didn't become the property of Hercules until 1912.

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The story I read was that the powder was "unique" in that it could be used to reload for rifle, handgun and shotgun.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I started reloading in the '70s. First powder I ever bought was Hercules Unique.
Followed by 2400, when the magnum bug bit me.

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Where do we go from here?

Oh, I see. Well, now that you have enlightened me, I do apologize.

Getting back to the questionable 66, I recall someone mentioning, possibly Hamilton Bowen, that the frames of the Combat Magnums were different from other K-frames in the area where the barrel attaches to the frame. I have never bothered to measure them. If that is the case, it would be one way to be sure the gun is a factory Combat Magnum and not a 67 with switched-out parts. And I do apologize - in advance! - for any errors of any sort whatsoever contained in this response. Anti-gunners are free to point to me as the "worst of the worst"!

Has anyone noticed the intelligence level of many of the "antis"?
I doubt if most would notice if you modified Anything!

Ya gotta LOVE this Forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd say depends on the buyer and the over all condition of the firearm. If he's into this more value to him or her.
Steve

Even the exchanges on this forum that have absolutely no relationship to the OP are interesting and informative.

This is unusual on the Internet...but not unique.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Yes, but the comments of the forum grammar police swat team not withstanding, I find this not "very unusual" or very unique" but......very odd, but still quite entertaining

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DAV Life Member

Pass the popcorn Jethro. :-)