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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 01-21-2021, 03:31 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Default Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...

Cajun Lawyer's comment on another thread reminded me of this story...

I have a relative who began his law enforcement career in the 1970s. When his agency transitioned from revolvers to pistols in the early 1980s, those who'd originally been trained to shoot wheelguns were grandfathered in and allowed to carry revolvers as their off-duty guns...BUT...

Each officer who so desired had to choose one specific personal revolver for off-duty carry. And each officer had to qualify annually with that specific revolver. If they failed to qualify, or if they sold the revolver, that was it...they could no longer carry revolvers off-duty.

My relative chose his Model 60, one of the very early ones produced, as his off-duty gun. He carried it and shot it regularly, for many years.

By the late 1990s, that Model 60 needed work, so he sent it up to Springfield with a long list of things to be done to it and parts to be replaced. A gunsmith from S&W called him, and told him that for what it would take to rebuild his old Model 60, he could buy a new one.

My relative explained the situation: That he could carry only that Model 60, with that serial number, as his off-duty gun. The S&W gunsmith said he understood, and would take care of things.

A couple of weeks later, my relative got a package from S&W. When he opened it, he found a brand-new Model 60, chambered in .357 Magnum...with his old gun's serial number on it! With it was an invoice marked "no charge".

Eventually, after he retired, he sold that Model 60...so somewhere out there is a 1990s vintage Model 60...with a serial number from 1966 or so.

I expect that one of these days it will turn up on here as an interesting question for S&W collectors...

Last edited by Beemerguy53; 06-25-2022 at 10:53 PM.
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Old 01-21-2021, 04:37 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Model 60s in the late 60s and early 70s were highly coveted with many going to Military personnel as "personal defense weapons" and a few were sold to LE. I have one made in 1970 and it is in nice condition and is still handy to have around.
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Old 01-21-2021, 04:48 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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If S&W took a gun out of service rather than repairing it, the company would sometimes ask the owner if they wanted a new gun of the same model with the old serial number.

Bill
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Old 01-21-2021, 10:10 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Can't complain about customer service regarding the outcome of Beemerguy's story!
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Old 01-22-2021, 11:29 AM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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That was an example of customer service that really was! Some really sympathetic real gun guy drew this assignment and did right by your relative. The only sad part of this story is that the gun is no longer in the family... it would be a real heirloom.

Froggie
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Old 01-22-2021, 12:58 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Did a little research to determine what serial number range OP's Model 60 may be found. It looks as the earliest serial number could be 401754 and latest 786544. Serial number range would be from 1965 - 1968 since the R prefix began in 1969.
I think we'd be looking for a Model 60-9 produced around 1996 in 357 magnum. The 60-9 has a 3 letter prefix.
Are we looking for a 60-9 without a 3 letter prefix?
Someone much more knowledgeable please correct my thoughts.
I'll be on the lookout for your relative's service Model 60.
The hunt has always been a high point in my S&W searches.
Good Luck!
Ray
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Old 01-22-2021, 04:39 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Originally Posted by Green Frog View Post
That was an example of customer service that really was! Some really sympathetic real gun guy drew this assignment and did right by your relative. The only sad part of this story is that the gun is no longer in the family... it would be a real heirloom.

Froggie
I agree. That S&W gunsmith was a prince...he did a good deed for a lawman, and God bless him for it.

When my relative retired, he bought a Kahr to carry. A couple of years ago, I happened to think of that Model 60, and asked him about him...I was really surprised when he told me he'd sold it. I would have thought that would be one he'd hang on to, but he's not that sentimental about guns.
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Old 01-22-2021, 04:42 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFIDEC View Post
Did a little research to determine what serial number range OP's Model 60 may be found. It looks as the earliest serial number could be 401754 and latest 786544. Serial number range would be from 1965 - 1968 since the R prefix began in 1969.
I think we'd be looking for a Model 60-9 produced around 1996 in 357 magnum. The 60-9 has a 3 letter prefix.
Are we looking for a 60-9 without a 3 letter prefix?
Someone much more knowledgeable please correct my thoughts.
I'll be on the lookout for your relative's service Model 60.
The hunt has always been a high point in my S&W searches.
Good Luck!
Ray
There is no prefix on the Model 60 they sent him. He had registered that particular serial number with his agency as his off-duty gun, and that was the exact serial number S&W placed on the replacement they sent him.
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Old 01-22-2021, 05:48 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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That is a cool story. I didn’t realize the factory would do something like that
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Old 01-22-2021, 05:50 PM
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemerguy53 View Post
There is no prefix on the Model 60 they sent him. He had registered that particular serial number with his agency as his off-duty gun, and that was the exact serial number S&W placed on the replacement they sent him.
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Sorry I didn't phrase my question correctly.
Since early 60 models had 6 digit serial numbers without letter prefix and available in 38 special...
Could your relative's revolver possibly be a Model 60-9 (1st available 357 mag.) with 6 digit serial number between 401754 - 786544?
Ray
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Old 01-22-2021, 11:59 PM
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Beemerguy53 Beemerguy53 is offline
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFIDEC View Post
_____________________________________________________
Sorry I didn't phrase my question correctly.
Since early 60 models had 6 digit serial numbers without letter prefix and available in 38 special...
Could your relative's revolver possibly be a Model 60-9 (1st available 357 mag.) with 6 digit serial number between 401754 - 786544?
Ray
Yes, it would be a 60-9. If the first Model 60s had serial numbers in the range you noted, then one of those numbers should be on that 60-9.
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Old 01-23-2021, 12:01 AM
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Beemerguy53 Beemerguy53 is offline
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Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number... Somewhere out there is a Model 60 with a head-scratcher of a serial number...  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieseltech56 View Post
That is a cool story. I didn’t realize the factory would do something like that
I don't know if it was a policy back then, or just an act of exceptional customer service, but it was great of that 'smith to do that. I don't know that something similar would happen today...or maybe it would, who knows?
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