Back in April I made a trade of a rifle for a model 66-4 2.5" revolver. It is a Lady Smith. I can find very little information about it. I have searched this site and all over the internet without much luck. I have seen photos of only 2 others, and 3 people that said they owned one. I sent to Smith and Wesson for a letter, hoping to find how many were produced. That question was not answered unfortunately.

Any help or information would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Mark

Here are a few photos

It's a fine looking revolver. If Roy Jinks can't tell you how many were made then it's gonna be a long shot anyone on this forum would have better info. They certainly aren't common. I've never seen one with that product code. Most Lady Smiths are J-frames.

I'm guessing, but it likely shipped in a gray padded case that was specifically fitted for a 2.5" K-frame M66. They sometimes come up on eBay and sell in the $40 to $60 range. You got the letter, so you need the box.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

The standard reference lists it - Model 66-4, stainless steel, six-shot .357, 2.5" barrel, produced 1996, listed as "limited production".

If Roy Jinks cannot track down a production number from the archives, it is likely not recorded anywhere; another option would be to contact the company to which the gun shipped to see if they have more information.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks guys, I expect to never know how many were made, since S&W has no idea. I have looked up Valor Corp and they are still listed in the Miami area. Will try and get a hold of them next week. It has a soft sided maroon and grey case that came with it, no box.

Strange that the SCSW lists it as 1996 production, but was shipped in December of 1994.

The gentleman who traded me said it was his girlfriend's. She bought it new, shot one cylinder through it, thought it was too big and put it in her underwear drawer almost twenty years ago.

I am hoping anyone else who has one these will chime in and maybe add what they know about theirs, or add a few pics.

Thanks again
Mark

Valor is a security (guards, not stocks) services firm that manages security for malls and other properties.

I don't know if that is the same company or is owned by Valor corp. or not. They are a large wholesale gun and outdoor equipment distributor in the Miami area since the early 60's. They do not sell to the public. They are located in Sunrise (Fort Lauderdale) now. I will be near there on Thursday and will see if I can stop in for some info. They may have records of the gun shop it was sold to, or how many they ordered. Slim chance but you never know.

As a firearm, it's one of the best of its sort. The Uncle Mike's grips help a lot. But I guess that you want collector info only?

You know about not firing hot 125 grain and lighter bullet ammo in K-framed .357's?

I had the same thing in a blued gun, M-19. It 'd stay in groups about the size of my hand; usually six shots could be covered by my palm, at 25 yds., from "offhand." Most are going to be used a lot closer to you than 25 yards.

An outdoor editor used a snub M-66 with 125 grain loads to kill an aggressive alligator. It worked fine, but I'd advise 140-145 grain (Silvertip) ammo. That'll go about 1150FPS or better in a 2.5-inch bbl.

If it's just collector info that you want, I'm not the right guy to ask. But maybe someone else with a snub M-66 will see this and be interested.

I can tell you, the version with four-inch barrel is much easier to shoot well and hits harder. But depending on how you carry, the snub may be better for some applications.

I wore mine in an inside the pants holster over my appendix. If you sit, a snub is more comfortable that way than a longer barrel.

Thanks Texas Star, although I am looking for info on this one as a collector piece, the model 66 snub is one of my favorites. I own 3 other model 66 snubs that I carry and shoot a lot. I do prefer the look of the blued model 19, but living in Florida, stainless is a better choice for me to carry. I have a 4" 66 that I use at the range and it is probably the most accurate and best balanced feeling revolver that I own. I reload 158 gr JHP and usually only shoot and carry that load. I carry IWB between strong side and appendix, about two o'clock, hides well and is a good compromise position while I drive. When working I pocket carry, but it is a royal PIA to draw while in a vehicle. So I slip in a IWB while driving.

The only TWO LS versions I am familiar with are the frosted J-frame M60, and the frosted K-frame M65 (3" HB). Is it possible that the OP's gun just had a replacement sideplate in its life?

No so uncommon. The SCSW is occasionally off by a year or so, one way or another. That's one of the reason I started collecting my own list of s/n and ship dates; when I found so many inconsistencies within the SCSW.

Since you have the case have you looking under the liner? Sometimes you'll find copies of the box end label there. If so, there might be some additional useful information on that label.

That red/maroon "leather" case was called "Morocco gain", and I think it's been discontinued.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

VictorLouis

No, it is a model 66 Lady Smith, as confirmed by the S&W factory letter see above, 1st post, last photo. It is described in the SCSW on page 230. There just doesn't seem to be that many around.

Kernel Crittenden

I was not specific enough when describing the case. It is a soft sided zipper case marked Lady Smith, by Bob Allen.

Do you have a picture of that case handy?
I for one have never seen one.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I received the same case when I purchased my Model 642 Lady Smith.

Regards,

Dave

Smith must have used these for many of the different Lady Smiths. It is the same as one I received with my model 65-5.

What a great package you have. Gun, case and letter. Fine looking gun too. I have never seen one in my travels.

First one I had seen also.