My 66-3, 3” – re-barreled, or not… mystery solved?

[UDR2]

Has my 66-3, 3" K-frame revolver been re-barreled? I'm fairly certain that I now know the answer, but I would like your input, advice, and direction. As this story unfolds, I will post a lot of photos; but for now, all I want to do is set the stage and gather your thoughts and opinions. I hope we will all have fun with this thread as it progresses.

A few weeks ago I bought a 66-3 with a 3” barrel. The seller advertised the gun as being a:

Gorgeous 66-3, 3 inch gun in box with cleaning kit and papers would be hard to upgrade this one $1050 shipped first will take it PM I can send pictures to email address thanks - the serial matches on box but bbl length is wrong ( factory mistake ? ) it is listed as 2.5”

Here are two of the pics posted by the seller:




Some of you good folks doubted the original nature of the 3” barrel, believing instead that the gun came from the factory with a 2.5" and that the gun had been re-barreled some time later. (To your credit, none of you publicly questioned the integrity of the seller – who sincerely believe that he had an authentic 63-3, 3”.) The seller, however, was not the gun’s original owner, so he could have been duped by the person who sold the gun to him.

The stated reasons that some of you thought the gun had been re-barreled were 1) the label on original box the gun came in is stamped 2.5” barrel, and 2) the original photos of the gun appear to show that

where the barrel meets the frame of gun, there is about a 1/8 step, where the slope of barrel profile is sticking above the frame. This area of barrel to frame should be flush...

The seller claimed that the frame to barrel height was in fact flush, without a step-off, and he posted a second set of photos to illustrate that point.


The new picture clearly shows that the barrel is flush to the frame… although at least one of you thought that the second set of pictures was of a different gun – not the one advertised for sale.

Photography is a hobby of mine. I've been at it for 5 decades. I know how changes in lighting, focus, and alignment of lens to subject can alter the appearance of a photograph, but at this point in the story, based on the photos, I could not tell for certain what the real story was. I contacted the seller and was convinced he is an honest fellow.

But his personal honesty aside, is the 3" barrel authentic to the gun, or not? What are you thinking at this point in the story? I bought he gun. Would you have bought it for the asking price?

[ladder13]

Authentic........I hope

[VM]

Originally Posted by UDR2

My 66-3, 3” – re-barreled, or not… mystery solved?

Why not just send away for a $50 factory letter?

[410bore]

The seller claimed that the frame to barrel height was in fact flush, without a step-off, and he posted a second set of photos to illustrate that point.


The new picture clearly shows that the barrel is flush to the frame… although at least one of you thought that the second set of pictures was of a different gun – not the one advertised for sale.

it does appear flush, BUT, i think the guys meant it wasnt flush to the frame of the gun. if you would remove the rear sight, it would not be flush.

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by UDR2

...The stated reasons that some of you thought the gun had been re-barreled were 1) the label on original box the gun came in is stamped 2.5” barrel...

Why doesn't this settle the matter in your mind? Does the serial number or any of the other info on the box appear to be faked/forged? If not, it was a 2.5-inch gun and the barrel has been added elsewhere. What am I missing?

[18DAI]

Looks authentic to me. I would guess a typo on the label is more likely than that revolver having been rebarreled.

Very nice 3 inch 66! Congrats! Nicest carry revolver to come out of S&W, IMO of course. Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI

[Model39]

I have a similar Model 66 no dash 3" gun (I won't post pictures again) that there is some mystery to it. Here is my 2 cent opinion: Unless you bought this gun to be some kind of collectible and have to show everyone that it letters as such, don't worry about it. If you wanted a 3" Model 66 you have one. There are definately alot of Model 66 3" guns that have been made, so it is not some rare very limited variation that you have to prove to everyone what it is. Enjoy the gun. You wanted one, and now you have one. They are great guns. Enjoy it, and like me enjoy the "mystery" this gun has. It is what it is.

[BAM-BAM]

I will try to double check later but IIRC both of my 3" 66-3s (I'm the origional owner) look like that....
...... my 3" 66-4 (my ccw) has the newer rear sight and the ramp is about a 1/16th inch below the frame.

I'm back: I checked both my 3" 66-3s and both are like yours. The front sight ramp ends flush and even with the front edge or the rear sight.

[M29since14]

Yes, let me add - what Model39 says. Whatever it is, why worry too much about the origin? If the gun is serviceable, you are happy with it, and the price was acceptable to you when you purchased it, no problems - right?

[ladder13]

I guess had I paid $1000 for an original 3 inch 66 and then found out it was a rebarreled 2 1/2 inch worth about $550- 600, I might be somewhat annoyed. If you are unsure, do as VM said, letter the gun. Though, may be better to let sleeping dogs lie.

[M29since14]

Mike, wouldn't any reasonable buyer have had sufficient doubts about the authenticity of this gun, given the markings on the box? I guess I just assumed the buyer considered the price acceptable for what he could plainly see he would be getting. Apparently there was no effort on the part of the seller to conceal the facts.

[mag318]

The only way to settle this to your complete satisfaction is to obtain a factory letter. If I spent what you did on this Model 66 I'd have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt. Every 3" 66 I've seen with a box, the label was correctly marked 3" barrel. Could there have been a mistake in labeling, yes but very doutful. Get the letter.
If and when you receive a factory letter let us know the outcome. Several of us where very interested in that revolver and would love to know for sure.

[18DAI]

Ummmm...... I got the impression from the OP that he had already lettered, or called S&W and found out the information on the guns configuration. He was simply trying to provide us with a fun or interesting thread, guage our impressions and then reveal the guns history.

And some here think I'M a "grouchy old man". Sheesh....

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by M29since14

Mike, wouldn't any reasonable buyer have had sufficient doubts about the authenticity of this gun, given the markings on the box? I guess I just assumed the buyer considered the price acceptable for what he could plainly see he would be getting. Apparently there was no effort on the part of the seller to conceal the facts.

Yes, yes and yes
Just that I would not be happy to pay a "real" 3 inch price for a 2 1/2 gun.

I wish the OP would just tell us and get this over with.

[gumpys]

I think if your going to pay highest market price for that 66 3" you would have paid 50.00 before you bought it to confirm or not if it was a true 3" gun or not. It is not like it was going to fly off the shelves for that price. Also, If I bought that gun I would pay the 50.00 just to know, that way down the road if you ever decide to sell it you know whether you got a 800-1000 gun or a 550-650 gun.
Eric

[gumpys]

Originally Posted by 410bore

it does appear flush, BUT, i think the guys meant it wasnt flush to the frame of the gun. if you would remove the rear sight, it would not be flush.

Bingo

Eric

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by UDR2

Would you have bought it for the asking price?

With due respect to both you and the seller, no, but I don't find fault with you for doing so.

Now I have a question. How long will this little riddle last?

[UDR2]

First of all, I love this forum! You guys are the absolute best!
OK... I'll answer some of the questions and points that were raised:

Why not just send away for a $50 factory letter?

After all of the "evidence" has been presented, will you still ask that question?


"The new picture clearly shows that the barrel is flush to the frame…"

it does appear flush, BUT, i think the guys meant it wasnt flush to the frame of the gun. if you would remove the rear sight, it would not be flush.

Let's ask the guys to clarify what they mean by "flush" to the frame.

Based on what I have seen from the many posted photos of other model 66 guns, I think they were referring to the height of the front sight ramp as it meets the top of the forward section of the rear sight (which is black metal), and not the shiny stainless steel of the frame... otherwise, all of the posted photos of model 66 K-frames are of re-barreled guns. But your observation is an interesting one... one I had not thought of before you mentioned it.

Unless you bought this gun to be some kind of collectible and have to show everyone that it letters as such, don't worry about it. If you wanted a 3" Model 66 you have one...

Excellent points, and exactly how I felt when I bought the gun. I wanted a model 66 with a 3” barrel to shoot and to carry. I was lured by the weight, size, reported handling characteristics and the good looks of the gun. The only reason to letter the gun is this: if I ever sell it, I would never mis-represent it. Unless I am certain it is a 3" original, a letter would be important. To quote Richard Nixon: "I Am Not A Crook."

I guess had I paid $1000 for an original 3 inch 66 and then found out it was a rebarreled 2 1/2 inch worth about $550- 600, I might be somewhat annoyed.

After checking prices, I learned that if I bought a 66-3 in very good condition, with a 2.5” barrel, and then bought a factory 3” barrel, sent the gun to S&W to be re-barreled, the total cost for gun, barrel, labor, and shipping would be right around $900 plus. So I was willing to spend $1,000 to buy the shooter/carry gun that I wanted… and perhaps even get a genuine 66-3, 3” at a good price.

Originally Posted by M29since14

"The stated reasons that some of you thought the gun had been re-barreled were 1) the label on original box the gun came in is stamped 2.5” barrel"

Why doesn't this settle the matter in your mind? Does the serial number or any of the other info on the box appear to be faked/forged? If not, it was a 2.5-inch gun and the barrel has been added elsewhere. What am I missing?

You are missing "part 2" in this saga, which I will post shortly.

[UDR2]

Originally Posted by M29since14

Now I have a question. How long will this little riddle last?

Patience is a virtue.


Part 2: is the box mis-labeled?


Another forum member, and owner of a genuine 66-3 3” wrote:

Mine… also came in a box with 2 1/2" scratched out and 3" wrote in. Bought new from a reputable S&W dealer in 1985 and is an Ashland gun with serial prefix AHL. Perhaps 41steve's is also an early Ashland gun as is mine.

He posted this photo:



So it is quite possible that the box was indeed mis-labeled. Which now begs the question: can S&W Customer Service settle the issue without actually spending $50 to letter the gun?

The seller then turned to Smith and Wesson Customer Service in hopes they could clarify the issue. Was the gun an original 3” barreled version, or did it originally come with a 2.5” barrel? Unfortunately, the seller reported that S&W CS was not able to resolve the issue, and the seller did not want to assume the expense of lettering the gun.

So now what are you thinking? Is the gun truly a mismarked 66-3, 3” or is it a re-barreled 66-3 2.5”?

[semperfi71]

I have a LOT of pictures of M66s stored in my Documents. With a LOT of 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch barreled versions.

All of the pics I have show the barrel/frame/sight configuration that yours does. Except latter versions of the 3 inchers with a revised sight ramp as pictured below.

Incidentially the 4 and 6 inch versions have a sight ramp that stops short of the barrel mating. But the 2 1/2 inch and early 3 inchers do not.

[M29since14]

To quote M. Ballon... "Oh for heaven's sake, Inspector, come to the point!"

[ladder13]

Someone lock this thread already.

[UDR2]

Jeeze Louise... you guys are really impatient! OK, for the sake of those who (like me) have trouble holding their water, I'll get to the point. (But some of the photos that have yet to be taken - and which I wanted to show you - will have to wait. For now, you will just have to take my word for it.)

I am lucky enough to have acquired TWO 66-3, 3". One from the seller of the gun in question, and one from another member of this forum. And, btw, I am happy to say that I consider both of those guys to be new friends.



The red circles are photoshopped. Everything else is real.

I have looked at both guns very carefully, with a magnifying glass, and as best as I can tell, except for the serial numbers, they are identical.

So now I ask the experts and prospective buyers (even though I am NOT selling either gun... so please no PMs on that matter), if you were in my shoes, would you get the gun lettered?

The reason I ask is NOT because I want to sell either of the 66-3's, but because I want to know, mainly for the purpose of knowing the value of my collection, is the gun in question authentic enough, by virtue of it's features, to value it as a true, original 66-3, 3"? Or do I need to letter it because S&W screwed up the box? (And IF they did, and IF I do eventually letter it, S&W should pay for the letter - not me.)

[UDR2]

BTW, here is the link to the original ad that was placed on this forum:
SOLD on GB: S&W 66-3 Rare 3 inch as NIB

41steve was under fire... and I think rightly so. I think we should all be able to express our doubts when we have them, and to share all opinions - pro and con - with other forum members. As I stated earlier, while the authenticity of the gun was questioned, no one questioned the integrity of 41steve. AND THAT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS FORUM. You are all very knowledgeable, and you are all honorable people.

[M29since14]

Yup - lock it! This guy is qwazy!

The value of that gun is $1050 - to you (and ONLY to you). That's all we know for sure. No, don't waste the $50. The letter could be wrong too.

Some things are best left "a great mystery." With or without letter, you will never know for sure until the trumpet sounds.

[VM]

I find it hard to believe that barrel length AND PRODUCT CODE were typed wrong on your label.
It is obvious by your post and your "saga" that you want to know it's authenticity.
Barrels are bought and sold left and right - look on GB and now Ebay too.
What's another $50 when you already have over 1K invested.
I hope your gun is legit but until Roy Jinks signs the letter, you'll never know
Good Luck

[gumpys]

Originally Posted by VM

I find it hard to believe that barrel length AND PRODUCT CODE were typed wrong on your label.
It is obvious by your post and your "saga" that you want to know it's authenticity.
Barrels are bought and sold left and right - look on GB and now Ebay too.
What's another $50 when you already have over 1K invested.
I hope your gun is legit but until Roy Jinks signs the letter, you'll never know
Good Luck

Amen, could have not said it better.
Eric

[gumpys]

Originally Posted by M29since14

Yup - lock it! This guy is qwazy!

The value of that gun is $1050 - to you (and ONLY to you). That's all we know for sure. No, don't waste the $50. The letter could be wrong too.

Some things are best left "a great mystery." With or without letter, you will never know for sure until the trumpet sounds.

LOL, you had me lmfao for a good minute, thanks for the good laugh today.

Eric

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by M29since14

Yup - lock it! This guy is qwazy!

The value of that gun is $1050 - to you (and ONLY to you). That's all we know for sure.

YEP, the gun is worth what he paid, end of story.

LOCK IT QUICK!

[dfariswheel]

I'm going with a 2 1/2" Model 66 that's been re-barreled.

Not only is the box originally marked as a 2 1/2" barrel, but the product code is for a 2 1/2" barrel.
Also, I can't remember all the 3" serial number prefixes, but I DON'T remember that prefix from that box being used for the 3" range guns.

That's three things that don't match a 3" gun.

[O2Guy]

It is a 3" gun. He likes it. He's not trying to sell it to anyone. What difference does it matter?

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by O2Guy

It is a 3" gun. He likes it. He's not trying to sell it to anyone. What difference does it matter?

Ask him, he started the thread.

[VM]

Originally Posted by O2Guy

It is a 3" gun. He likes it. He's not trying to sell it to anyone. What difference does it matter?

O2Guy - it matters to the OP, that is why he started the thread.
Re-read all of his posts and his questions.
Who said he was trying to sell it?

[old bear]

I don't know if this left the factory with a 2 1/2" barrel or 3" barrel. What I do know is you now have a very nice M-66 with a 3" barrel. Shoot the wheels of that guy and enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed.

This whole thread has become, "Much ado About Nothing."

I need to apologize to the O.P and everyone who read my comments regarding the O.P.’s intention in this thread.
My comments were uncalled for and unprofessional. I offer a sincere apology to the O.P and anyone else who may have been offended by my comments.

Sincerely,
old bear

[gruntdeputy]

I find the OP’s point interesting. He’s telling us a story and giving us a chance to chip in on the ending.

I’d letter it, and let that be the final word on it. Either way, it is a really nice gun!

Frank

PS: Although that part about him with the two 3” Model 66s is just him showing off!

[handejector]

Originally Posted by VM

I find it hard to believe that barrel length AND PRODUCT CODE were typed wrong on your label.

Originally Posted by dfariswheel

Not only is the box originally marked as a 2 1/2" barrel, but the product code is for a 2 1/2" barrel.

If the correct product code for a 3" had been entered, the barrel length would have been stated as 3 inch.
Since the product code for a 2-1/2 was entered, 2-1/2 is what it should say.
IF the gun is correct, an incorrect product code would have printed an incorrect barrel length. Everything but the serial number is PREprogrammed for a specific product code.

The gun looks good, but that means nothing till we see the birth certificate.

Letter the gun.
NO, S&W won't pay for it.
There is also the possibility that the gun was actually built as a 3", but incorrectly recorded all the way thru as a 2-1/2. That would mean that your $50 proved that a righteous gun was UNrighteous.
And, there is the possibility that Roy COULD pull the build order and prove it right. All he can tell you is what the paper says.
Roll the dice.

[snw19_357]

(Once again I am way to slow….but anyway.)

Originally Posted by gruntdeputy

PS: Although that part about him with the two 3” Model 66s is just him showing off!

Then I hope Allen-frame doesn't chime in.

I think the OP’s questions are good and legitimate questions. I don’t know about the rest but I found this forum and joined to ask and learn.
However, I don’t think this thread will make the highlight real for recruiting new members to the S&WCA with some of the posts in it.

UDR2 – I would very much like to see a picture of the front sight on your BFK prefix 3”. Is it also pinned like the BEE one?

I would suspect the end label is wrong before I would guess a rebarrel.

The 3” 66-2s and 66-3s in the BBN and BBT range have an almost unnoticeable pinned front sight ramp whereas the BEE’s and later are obviously pinned (like the picture in the OP). [Until this post, I thought the 3” 66-2s and early 3” 66-3s had a one piece barrel/front sight like the 2.5” do (had to go and verify)].

66-2 AHJ13xx

66-3 BBT00xx


The later 3” 66-3 and 3” 66-4 are obviously pinned so if this is rebarreled, they used a barrel from the exact time frame because the profile of a -4 barrel would be all wrong due to the new style rear sight.

66-3 BEE06xx


66-4 profile


Also, I have never heard of a 2.5” M66 in the BEE range, they have all been 3”. If you have a 66-3 with a BEE prefix that has a 2.5” barrel, I’d love to hear about it!


This wouldn’t be the first time that S&W made an error on an end label or even miss-stamped a handgun. I’m pretty sure that if the person doing the label types in a product code, it fills in the features, etc. for them so if they got the PC wrong, the rest would be wrong too.

I sure hope I didn’t make a mistake when I bought this 3” LH/PC 19-7 with a PC of 100701. It letters as a 2.5” because of the product code.

[mag318]

Originally Posted by semperfi71

I have a LOT of pictures of M66s stored in my Documents. With a LOT of 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch barreled versions.

All of the pics I have show the barrel/frame/sight configuration that yours does. Except latter versions of the 3 inchers with a revised sight ramp as pictured below.

Incidentially the 4 and 6 inch versions have a sight ramp that stops short of the barrel mating. But the 2 1/2 inch and early 3 inchers do not.

Now that's a great photo of a totally legit 66-4, I say that because it's my revolver.

[UDR2]

I've learned a lot from this thread, and thank those who posted constructive comments. My motives for starting this thread were two-fold:

1. I wanted to have some fun with this thread and hoped you guys would have fun with it too. Obviously there is no way to please the entire audience. - To those of you who posted snide remarks, no one forced you to read what I wrote.

2. I'm new to gun collecting and I wanted to learn from those of you who know more about this topic than I do... and learn I have. Thank you.

I am very happy with the gun in question, and I will shoot it, and shoot it a lot. I purchased the 2nd 66-3 just days after purchasing the gun in question, because I wanted a 66-3, 3" as a collector's piece: not a gun that I will shoot thousands of rounds through. The 2nd 66-3 also provides me with the opportunity to compare a "legitimate" gun with the one in question. It would also give all of you the opportunity to see some close up comparison photos of the similarities and differences between the two guns - something that I thought would be of interest to collectors. In spite of the few snide remarks, I will continue this thread and post those pictures when I can - only not for a few days.

As for lettering the gun, the $50 is not the issue. The issue is simply this: IF the box is marked wrong, the letter could be wrong as well, so I wanted your opinions on that. As a newbie collector, I thought that authenticity it might be able to be confirmed based on examining the gun (via clear, sharp photos). I've learned that I was wrong in that assumption. I'm going to follow Lee Jarrett's advice and roll the dice. When I hear back from Roy, I'll let you know. One way or another, my pleasure at owning the gun will neither increase nor decrease based on what the letter says. I'm keeping this baby - and shooting it too!

Originally Posted by snw19_357

UDR2 – I would very much like to see a picture of the front sight on your BFK prefix 3”. Is it also pinned like the BEE one?

I would suspect the end label is wrong before I would guess a rebarrel.

The 3” 66-2s and 66-3s in the BBN and BBT range have an almost unnoticeable pinned front sight ramp whereas the BEE’s and later are obviously pinned (like the picture in the OP). [Until this post, I thought the 3” 66-2s and early 3” 66-3s had a one piece barrel/front sight like the 2.5” do (had to go and verify)].

I apologize for not being able to post close up photos until next week some time, but I will post them as soon as I can. To answer you question, the front sight on the BEE gun has a quite obvious pin, whereas on the BFK gun, the pin has been honed flush with the barrel so that it is barely visible - but the pin is there. At the risk of "showing off," the front sight on my 66-2, 3" (an ALU serial number) is not pinned.

The shape of the front sight on both 66-3s are identical in every aspect. However, the shape of the front sight on the 66-2 has a distinctly different slope (which I will show when I get the opportunity to take more photos).

handejector and snw19_357, than you both for joining in and for for taking the time to provide the info and the pictures. It helps a lot.

Regards,
Larry

[Skeptic 9c]

Heck! Letter it. PM me an address and I'll send $5 to help.
Geoff
Who is a poor fellow whose salt money has stayed the same for years...lousy economy....I haven't bought a S&W since the SWaMPy 9c!

[twomoons]

UDR,i was going to call you ,but you have everything covered.some of those butts sure look familiar. am a butt checker on guns!!!!udr,if you do talk to roy,maybe he will letter all the 66-3 guns you have lol.snw 19-357 is a swell guy,and records all that info.snw,i dont have to send you pics of that alu 3 inch 66.udr has the gun,and can sure do a better job than me.udr,as one of the posters typed earlier,sw has made mistakes before,i have seen examples of wrong information on all kinds of different models of sw guns. i know when i originally looked at the first picture of gun,the way gun was laying or camera angle sure looked like a high barrel was on gun.and the second picture was markedly different..anyway,udr,you enjoy all those nice ,mint 66-2,and -3 gun's.you have done a good job putting them together,and enjoying what you are doing.that is the main part of our sw hobby and the trails we go down,and the nice folks we meet,are what we love about getting these guns.please let us know what you do find out??

[VM]

Originally Posted by handejector

If the correct product code for a 3" had been entered, the barrel length would have been stated as 3 inch.
Since the product code for a 2-1/2 was entered, 2-1/2 is what it should say.
IF the gun is correct, an incorrect product code would have printed an incorrect barrel length. Everything but the serial number is PREprogrammed for a specific product code.

The gun looks good, but that means nothing till we see the birth certificate.

Letter the gun.
NO, S&W won't pay for it.
There is also the possibility that the gun was actually built as a 3", but incorrectly recorded all the way thru as a 2-1/2. That would mean that your $50 proved that a righteous gun was UNrighteous.
And, there is the possibility that Roy COULD pull the build order and prove it right. All he can tell you is what the paper says.
Roll the dice.

Lee - thanks for clearing up label making procedure in regard to Product Code info - very helpful.

[mag318]

UDR, the 3" Model 66 is to many of us what I would classify as an ultimate revolver. With perfect weight and balance in an effective calibre, S&W has created a classic. Even in this age of low drag high speed semi autos I still carry my 3" 66-4 confidently quite often. It's just a great revolver that you'll enjoy shooting. When Ashland and RSR had S&W make these no one knew what an iconic revolver they would become, I wish I had bought more of them when they were cheap.

[UDR2]

Twomoons - good to see you here. I will take exceptional care of the two beauties you parted with. This is fast becoming an addiction.

[Engine49guy]

Just finished reading the thread and it got me posing all kinds of possabilities in my mind,
Sorry I do not have an answer but maybe some questions might change the scue.

We all know a barrel can be swapped out by a private gunsmith at a customers request but I am wondering ,

1). Maybe the factory needed a handful of 3" M66 RB guns to fill an order ASAP but had no frames made up ,
Would they pull some 2.5" guns from the vault and rebarrel them without printing up new box labels?

2). If a stocking dealer and factory authorized service center needed a few 3" M66 RB's ASAP and just orders the barrels doing the work in house would they change the end labels?

If the gun had its barrel changed before leaving the factory or after it leaves the factory by an authorized service center before being sold is it less legitamite than one that was never rebarreled or part of a documented run ?

I suppose the factory and the original purchasers wouldnt think so,
Then again if I was paying double for a rare variation I would want the gun to be as original as possible and letter as such.

Ultimately only the collector value will be affected by what the letter says and only when it changes hands next.

[UDR2]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

Just finished reading the thread and it got me posing all kinds of possabilities in my mind,
Sorry I do not have an answer but maybe some questions might change the scue...

Here is the question I've been pondering: if someone went to the trouble of changing the barrel, why would they ever sell the gun with the box that indicates that the gun should originally have had a different barrel? Without the box, there is no way anyone would ever even begin to think that the gun might not be authentic with its 3" barrel.

Anyone who goes to the trouble of re-barreling a gun in order to make a few extra dollars by pawning it off as something it isn't, would be nuts to include the box in the sale.

[gumpys]

Bulls won tonight , DA bulls baby.
Eric

[Tyrod]

Having read the entire thread and having been in manufacturing for 30 years, I have another option which is just as likely as any I've read.

Marketing puts in an order for a 66-2 with a 2.5" barrel. All the necessary computer inputs are done and a hunk of forging starts down the line, by the time it gets to the point where the barrel is attached, the person doing the attaching, for whatever reason, just happens to put the wrong barrel on the gun. Hey, it's only half an inch. Maybe the Pats or Sox or Bruins or Celtics lost (or won), the guy was depressed (or elated) and just wasn't paying close enough attention. Maybe the parts gopher put the barrel in the wrong bin. So the gun is finished and goes to the shipping department where there is a computer generated label that get slapped on a box and in turn when the packer finds the gun with the correct serial number puts it in the correct serial numbered box.

So, you could end up with an correctly labeled box and letter with the original incorrect factory installed barrel.

No evil intened by anybody. The gun went out into the national distribution network as a 2.5" gun. As far as S&W is concerned it is a 2.5" gun. Was prolly sold to a dealer as a 2.5" gun. I'm not sure if anyone except the last seller was able to take advantage of the mistake financially. We've seen mismarked boxes before and we've seen apparent incorrect letters as well.

[goldenlight]

All I can say is I would LOVE to own an early Model 66 (or a Model 19) with a 3" barrel, whether it has been re barreled or not.

But the odds are, given my finances, I never will.

I own 3 Model 686's; I bought them all used. I don't think I got the box/papers/accessories with any of them. I would have to look; I honestly don't know.

I just bought them to shoot them.