S&W model 68 got away quick!

jamestx · #1 09-27-2017, 07:48 PM

I saw a clean all SS model 68 with pacs on it this am, guy was asking $400. SS rear sight, not blued(came that way per him). By the time he replied it was sold before lunch. I know there were some sold to the public w/o chp or overstamps on the receiver, this was a clean gun not an LEO. ARghhhh! Oh well I have my eye on a custom 3.5" m25-2. anyway.

KEN L · #2 09-27-2017, 07:57 PM

Where was it posted for sale?

CJSmith · #3 09-27-2017, 10:08 PM

You sure it wasn't a 67? The earlier no dash 67's and 66's (one of which I am proud to own) came with stainless rear sights.

colt_saa · #4 09-27-2017, 10:23 PM

Was the revolver you saw a 4" or a 6"?

The Model 68 is too modern of a revolver to have left the factory with a stainless rear sight.

For $400 I would have bought it even if it was a Model 67

jamestx · #5 09-28-2017, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEN L

Where was it posted for sale?

Texas Gun trader, it's for buy/sell all over TX.

jamestx · #6 09-28-2017, 01:42 AM

It was a 4" model 68. That's how it was listed, only one pic of the left side.

JohnBTCB · #7 09-28-2017, 02:16 AM

My model 68 and every one I have seen had/has a 6” barrel.

CJSmith · #8 09-28-2017, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestx

It was a 4" model 68. That's how it was listed, only one pic of the left side.

It seems like you can never speak in absolutes with S&W but it sounds like you missed out on an early model 67. $400 would have been a very good deal and I guess someone else agreed.

RSBH44 · #9 09-28-2017, 10:04 AM

Doing some quick research on this with my S&W catalog and articles from reputable gun writers of the time all indications are that the gun that you referenced was most likely mistakenly listed as a mod.68 and was infact a mod.67. I couldn't find Any reference made to S&W ever making a 4" mod. 68. There were only 6,055 model 68's produced between 1977 -1988
and with the exception of only a couple, ( presentation pieces I suspect) All were produced for the CHP and marked as such. One distinguishing feature of the mod.68 was that because it was actually a model 66 overstamped it also had a shrouded ejector, the 67 did not.
There is a great article on the mod.68 here
The Smith & Wesson Model 68 | RevolverGuy.com

jamestx · #10 09-28-2017, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSBH44

Doing some quick research on this with my S&W catalog and articles from reputable gun writers of the time all indications are that the gun that you referenced was most likely mistakenly listed as a mod.68 and was infact a mod.67. I couldn't find Any reference made to S&W ever making a 6" mod. 68. There were only 6,055 model 68's produced between 1977 -1988
and with the exception of only a couple, ( presentation pieces I suspect) All were produced for the CHP and marked as such. One distinguishing feature of the mod.68 was that because it was actually a model 66 overstamped it also had a shrouded ejector, the 67 did not.
There is a great article on the mod.68 here
The Smith & Wesson Model 68 | RevolverGuy.com

Thanks guys, after my own research last night, I agree he incorrectly listed it. Still a good deal missed. I still have the same box of LEO 110gr Win as in the article, gotta it years ago at a gun show.
Thanks Jim

kennethg · #11 09-28-2017, 04:52 PM

RSBH44,
Thanks for the link you posted (The Smith & Wesson Model 68 | RevolverGuy.com).
That appears to be a very good site.
I was able to get a model 68 when the CHP was selling them to the officers.
It is unique and cool. Mine had been carried and has odd grips on it that I thought had been modified.
It turns out that these grips were the first grips designed for speed loaders and proved to be to thin in some areas and would crack. This info came from Roy Jinks.

bigggbbruce · #12 09-28-2017, 04:56 PM

IMHO.. too many scams...

I respond to many "good" deals only to get no response once I tell them I'll come get it FTF..

They wanted me to send cash and they would ship... yeah right.

Oyaji · #13 09-28-2017, 08:36 PM

Here's a photo of my Model 68-2 with Los Angeles Police Department rollstamped on the right side of the bbl. Mine was an unissued revolver originally purchased by an LAPD officer and retains both single and double action capability. It is one of my favorite revolvers.

CJSmith · #14 09-29-2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oyaji

Here's a photo of my Model 68-2 with Los Angeles Police Department rollstamped on the right side of the bbl. Mine was an unissued revolver originally purchased by an LAPD officer and retains both single and double action capability. It is one of my favorite revolvers.

Attachment 305022

Are those target stocks original to that gun? Would this have been an unissued gun originally bought by the department and later offered for sale to the officers? It looks great.

THE PILGRIM · #15 09-29-2017, 10:26 AM

I have never seen a 68.
Would I buy one for $400?
Watch how fast I pull out the money!
A model 67 for $400?
Same answer!

RSBH44 · #16 09-29-2017, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJSmith

Are those target stocks original to that gun? Would this have been an unissued gun originally bought by the department and later offered for sale to the officers? It looks great.

From an article posted earlier -" The Smith & Wesson Model 68 came from the factory with checkered walnut target stocks, but a large percentage of officers replaced these immediately with aftermarket grips that fit the square butt K-frame, like the extremely popular Pachmayr “Gripper"

gman51 · #17 09-29-2017, 11:01 AM

I stopped in a pawnshop the other day just to check out what guns they might have. They had a S&W model 65-something for $699.00. I looked like new and was tight as well. I had the money on me because I went to look at a tractor for sale but the $$ wasn't burning a hole in my pocket so I passed on the 65. The tractor was a bust because the price in the ad was wrong. Instead of being $700 like that ad stated it was actually $7000.