What was the S&W story in 1989?

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy all,

I recently picked up an '89 Model 60-3 Lady Smith. The SCSW 4th offers nice blurbs about these and their blued brothers. As I scanned the l-o-n-g list of "Specials and variations" and "Engineering and production changes" for the Models 36 and 60 I learned there were more than a few new releases in 1989. For example there were Model 36-6s in a 3" Target version and a Double Action Only Model 36-2 with a bobbed hammer that came in 2" and 3" versions.

I seemed to recall seeing "Model of 1989" stamped on select N-frames through the years, too, so I searched the forum for clues as to why 1989 was so special at the factory. I came up with no more than a few "flavor of the month (or week)" and "kid in a candy store at the lgs" types of references to the year but no references as to why.

I was in the middle of a four-year-long overseas tour at the time so I missed it.

Can anyone offer anything to explain what was going on at the company that year?

Thanks in advance for any small tidbits.

Cheers,

Bob

ps: a mysterious topic needs a mysterious image:

[NCBeagle]

True, it seems like a lot of good limited runs in 1989...like the 638(no dash) and 637(no dash), only about 500 of each. Aluminum frames / clear anodized.




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[two-bit cowboy]

Great backdrop of leather and wood for those two beauties. Nice drink holder, too!

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

Great backdrop of leather and wood for those two beauties. Nice drink holder, too!

Thanks. I take a lot of pictures on that foot stool . Take a lot for that forum too. I am "Prosecutor" over there.


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[44wheelman]

Just good marketing that year? I dunno, and while I like my 625, I would have prefered they left off the reference on the bbl".

[Targets Guy]

new ownership? Bangor Punta?

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by Targets Guy

It was the company's 50th anniversary.

The company has been around since the mid-1800's.

....something tells me that you knew that.

[Targets Guy]

Originally Posted by NCBeagle

The company has been around since the mid-1800's.

Yep. Changed it.

[huthike]

I've wondered this myself. Models 625, 25-7, 627, etc.


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