|
|
08-27-2015, 03:58 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 2,982
Liked 12,275 Times in 1,884 Posts
|
|
686 Question: False Alarm
I got a call from a friend who owns a LGS inquiring about a Model 686, 2 1/2 inch barrel. The gun was a law enforcement gun and was manufactured in the early 1980's (not sure as to dash number as he did not have it in hand). The SCSW says that the 2.5 inch barrel was not introduced until 1990, but I am certain this gun is quite a bit older than that as the agency switched to semi autos about 1987, replacing the 686.
This gun was issued to a special unit and according to the current owner there are 8 like it with the agency badge engraved on it.
My questions are:
Was the 2.5 inch barrel introduced earlier than 1990 on the 686?
Could this have been a special order/run for this agency of a non-catalogued item? (there were probably 12 to 14 hundred 686's owned by the agency altogether).
If is was a non catalogued gun along with the agency marking does this increase the value of what has been described as a high 90% gun?
Thanks.
Last edited by WCCPHD; 08-28-2015 at 04:48 PM.
|
08-27-2015, 04:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
|
|
Looking through my SCS&W 3rd Edition there is mention of 2 runs of 2 1/2" barrelled 686's before the 2 1/2" barrel was catalogued in 1990.
1) "1st One Hundred" with gold filled engraving on the side plate "1984 Limited Edition Model 686 Compact". These were made for Lew Horton, approx 2500 manufactured. Product code 104212, 2 1/12" barrel, round butt.
2) Product code 104231 2 1/2", stainless, round butt, combat trigger, red ramp, manufactured from 1987-2001
The SCS&W mentions no other details on that model.
What agency are you taking about?
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-27-2015, 05:07 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SF East Bay - "the delta"
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 1,585
Liked 4,495 Times in 1,516 Posts
|
|
The 2-1/2" 686's are popular and are difficult to come by, so they do tend to command a premium unto themselves... LE markings, not so much, as that only adds value if the buyer is collector of LE marked guns in general or his an interest in a particular agency.
Many of the LE marked "special edition" guns were done post factory... it was not uncommon for large LE suppliers to special order a run of guns from S&W with their own specs, and then market to them to Agencies as a custom commemorative, where non-factory embellishments (engraving) were applied afterward as needed.
__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222
Last edited by Gunhacker; 08-27-2015 at 05:08 PM.
|
08-27-2015, 06:22 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 2,982
Liked 12,275 Times in 1,884 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 824tsv
Looking through my SCS&W 3rd Edition there is mention of 2 runs of 2 1/2" barrelled 686's before the 2 1/2" barrel was catalogued in 1990.
1) "1st One Hundred" with gold filled engraving on the side plate "1984 Limited Edition Model 686 Compact". These were made for Lew Horton, approx 2500 manufactured. Product code 104212, 2 1/12" barrel, round butt.
2) Product code 104231 2 1/2", stainless, round butt, combat trigger, red ramp, manufactured from 1987-2001
The SCS&W mentions no other details on that model.
What agency are you taking about?
|
The agency is NC State Highway Patrol. The guns were issued to the Governor's Security Detail.
|
08-27-2015, 06:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 2,982
Liked 12,275 Times in 1,884 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunhacker
The 2-1/2" 686's are popular and are difficult to come by, so they do tend to command a premium unto themselves... LE markings, not so much, as that only adds value if the buyer is collector of LE marked guns in general or his an interest in a particular agency.
Many of the LE marked "special edition" guns were done post factory... it was not uncommon for large LE suppliers to special order a run of guns from S&W with their own specs, and then market to them to Agencies as a custom commemorative, where non-factory embellishments (engraving) were applied afterward as needed.
|
These guns were engraved (stamped) by S&W. These were duty weapons, not commememoratives. It was the second gun that S&W did for the NC SHP and all had their badge engraved (or stamped) at the factory. S&W would do it even for smaller agencies. My agency had Model 66s and Model 13's done with the agency seal and we only bought about 125. The SHP probably bought 1500 total, with most being four inch other than the group mentioned here.
|
08-27-2015, 07:52 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Central Texas
Posts: 557
Likes: 258
Liked 1,816 Times in 370 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WCCPHD
The agency is NC State Highway Patrol. The guns were issued to the Governor's Security Detail.
|
I don't know about anyone else but it sounds to me like a cool gun to own.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-28-2015, 04:50 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 2,982
Liked 12,275 Times in 1,884 Posts
|
|
Got a call from the LGS and the gun is actually a 2.5 inch Model 66, not a 686. The gentleman said he paid $600 for it several years ago and wanted more so I passed.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|