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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 01-12-2012, 02:06 PM
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Default Unusual Model 66-5, 4” RB

Pictured is a recently acquired Model 66-5 with 4” barrel and round butt. The round butt is not commonly seen but not rare on the 4”. I believe these were offered with round to square stocks. I like the RB and added the pictured grips. What is unusual, at least to me, are the numbers on the lower right frame and inside the yoke’s swing out portion. We often talk of job and assemblers numbers but these look like they were applied in a different way and not as S&W marks but I could be wrong. The number is 21779 254 is on the lower frame and just the 254 appears inside the swing out portion of the yoke. Can anyone offer any insight regarding these numbers? Thanks as always.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 66RB.jpg (110.0 KB, 270 views)
File Type: jpg 66RB1.jpg (48.6 KB, 145 views)
File Type: jpg 66RB2.jpg (41.3 KB, 142 views)
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Last edited by Ed45; 01-12-2012 at 03:01 PM.
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Old 01-12-2012, 02:43 PM
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In 1996-- 1997 Smith and Wesson deleted the square butt feature.
All model 66-5s from that time on came with Uncle Mikes grips that hid
the gripframe altogether.

This is one I bought a couple years ago.




The 66-5 has a heavier barrel profile than the previous 66-4.
They were available in 2.5", 3.185", and 4" like yours.

The assembly numbers you mention are applied using what is called
''' dot matrix'' probably to reduce cost as it is machine done and not by hand.

Here is a pair of the 3.185" model 66-5s.
One of my favorite to shoot because of the heavier barrel.
Very smooth and quick handling.

The 66-5 engineering change went right on up to 2002 when the
infernal lock came to be on the model 66-6.





Good luck
Allen frame
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Last edited by Allen-frame; 01-12-2012 at 02:46 PM.
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Old 01-12-2012, 02:46 PM
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I think you meant 254. The frame and the yoke match. At any rate they look normal to me. A lot of the late models have dot matrix on them especially the serial numbers.
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Old 01-12-2012, 03:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen-frame View Post
In 1996-- 1997 Smith and Wesson deleted the square butt feature.
All model 66-5s from that time on came with Uncle Mikes grips that hid
the gripframe altogether.

This is one I bought a couple years ago.




The 66-5 has a heavier barrel profile than the previous 66-4.
They were available in 2.5", 3.185", and 4" like yours.

The assembly numbers you mention are applied using what is called
''' dot matrix'' probably to reduce cost as it is machine done and not by hand.

Here is a pair of the 3.185" model 66-5s.
One of my favorite to shoot because of the heavier barrel.
Very smooth and quick handling.

The 66-5 engineering change went right on up to 2002 when the
infernal lock came to be on the model 66-6.





Good luck
Allen frame
Thanks Allen. Am I to understand you have the dot matrix number on the bottom right of your frame also? Thanks, Ed
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Old 01-12-2012, 03:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diamonback68 View Post
I think you meant 254. The frame and the yoke match. At any rate they look normal to me. A lot of the late models have dot matrix on them especially the serial numbers.
Thanks, I just did the edit; I don't know how that got into my head. Ed
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Old 01-12-2012, 07:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen-frame View Post
In 1996-- 1997 Smith and Wesson deleted the square butt feature.
All model 66-5s from that time on came with Uncle Mikes grips that hid
the gripframe altogether.

This is one I bought a couple years ago.




The 66-5 has a heavier barrel profile than the previous 66-4.
They were available in 2.5", 3.185", and 4" like yours.

The assembly numbers you mention are applied using what is called
''' dot matrix'' probably to reduce cost as it is machine done and not by hand.

Here is a pair of the 3.185" model 66-5s.
One of my favorite to shoot because of the heavier barrel.
Very smooth and quick handling.

The 66-5 engineering change went right on up to 2002 when the
infernal lock came to be on the model 66-6.





Good luck
Allen frame
Hey Allenframe,
Thanks for the education regarding the 66-5 models!
I have a 66-5, and knew that the profile looked different than -4 and previous models...but couldn't quite place it.
And then you wrote that the -5 models had a heavier barrel profile..and then I knew why it looks different!

Although it does not seem to be highly sought-after, I think the -5 models are sweet. I like the black/red front sight, the firing pin mounted in the frame seems better to me (sacrilege, I know...) and mine was bought new in 2000....before the internal lock!

Thanks for the education!
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Old 01-12-2012, 10:02 PM
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Allen-frame, I always enjoy your post,and like your attitude on things.
But I have to ask the question , we all want to know.
HOW BIG is your gunsafe? And yes I am jealous. Your collection is amazing. Keep up the great informative post, Bob
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