Hello all,
new to the forum, I am trying to help my father in law identify his revolver.

To be honest -- he has had it for many years and does not remember any of the details about it. He knows I am a gun guy and asked if I could help him learn more about it.

It is a beautiful S&W 6 shot revolver in .357 .
It is marked as Mod 68-1 but my searches about this model have only left me more confused.
I have seen threads where some say it was recalled unless the serial number is stamped with an M.
I have also seen threads where they say it could be a K frame or it could be an L frame , it could be mismarked and be a 681 or possible a 686....... it goes on an on.

I am attaching some pictures that will hopefully help in the identification. My first concern is how to tell if it was recalled and dangerous to shoot. Secondly we would like to try to get a ballpark estimate of its value, my father in law refers to it as " an old friend" so I know he does not want to sell it but would still like to get some idea of its value.

Any accurate info would be greatly appreciated.

Attached Images

	SW_numbers1.jpg (9.2 KB, 167 views)
	SW_SIZE.jpg (43.9 KB, 201 views)
	SW_SERIAL.jpg (8.3 KB, 161 views)
	SW_MODEL.jpg (2.6 KB, 194 views)
	SW.jpg (20.8 KB, 218 views)

It is a Model 681, the fixed sight, stainless steel version of the S&W L frame family.

The recall you have heard about involved some of the early L frames locking up when firing some .357 Magnum ammunition, caused by the primer flowing back against the bolt face and into the hole the firing pin pokes through. S&W will still fix this problem by replacing the firing pin and the bushing in the bolt face, for free, including shipping both ways. They stamp a capital "M" by the model number when they complete this. Some guns did this and some didn't. You can't predict if it will or when. If you don't shoot Magnums, this may not be important.

L frame guns marked with a dash and then a 1, 2 or higher (like MOD 681-1) are later revisions, and have the newer parts installed during assembly.

Your father-in-law's gun was shipped in 1983. The dash stamping you see (68-1) is a minor finishing mistake, it is a 681. The Model 68 was an entirely different gun, a K frame .38 Special with six inch barrel and adjustable sights made in limited numbers for the California Highway Patrol and the L.A.P.D.

Thank you.
Since I do not see any extra M's marked anywhere on it I guess it will need to be sent back.
I will try to contact S&W to see how that works.

Funny, I have shot many thousands of rounds through my semi auto's but probably less than 20 through revolvers. Looking forward to shooting a bunch of 357 magnum thought this once we get it back.


Would you have any idea of when it was made based on the serial # ?

Would you have any suggestions for a softer grip for my father in law to use with this ?
I would like to get the recall done, clean/polish it up for him and replace the grips.
It has probably been 20 years since he shot it and at his age I think he would appreciate a softer grip than the current wood that is on it. Whatever I do I need to try to keep it with a similar "classic" look. I dont think he would like those finger groove grips.

Are there softer grips available that would allow him to enjoy shooting it again while still maintaining the old school look ?

Pachmayr Grippers 03264 would work well, but if you stick with .38 Special, it shouldn't be too hard to handle with the stock magnas.

There are several other good choices out there too.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I would suggest Pachmayr rubber grips, too. I carried a Model 66 daily for 10 years, which has the same size grip frame as the 681. I started out using the Presentation model but later shifted over to the Gripper model.

Pachmayr makes stocks for a variety of guns, so ask for one for K and L frame square butt.

If you have the 3rd ed. of the Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson. check page 231. There was a model 68 produced in 1977 in .38 S&W special. It was first manufactured for the California Highway Patrol when they were not permitted to carry .357 revolvers. It is built on a K frame with a square butt and rated for .38+P. The 68-1 model has been reported but not verified. There is a 68-2 (1982) which eliminated the pinned barrel. Hope this all helps.

Many smart folks here. Just love it.

My 686 with with a Hogue convesion grip and no finger grooves. I don't care for finger grooves either. Don't know how classic looking they are but they work really well for me.

Not necessarily. Some of us choose to leave our early L-frames un-modified. It's not a big deal. I've just never had a problem with my "no dash". Why fix what ain't broken? To be fair, it's just a nice gun to shoot. One of many. I don't stake my life on it.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I agree with Kernel Crittenden, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I wouldn't send that gun in for the recall unless you have a problem with it. 681s don't exactly grow on trees and an original, unmodified, no dash is a more desirable and valuable gun than one that has had the recall performed on it.

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