I posted a photo of the gun in the 1961-1980 section with a late 60's Model 36-1 yesterday.

In working on the gun I noticed something interesting. Both this gun, and the 586 I got on Saturday were made in 1982. The 4" is 510 numbers earlier than the 6". Under the extractor the 4" cylinder is stamped with the last four digits of the serial number while the 6" is not.

Also, the later 6" has the left grip cut for speed loaders while the 4" is football cut. Is the football cut a little late to be on that gun? My first thought was the grips were not original on the 4".

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To the best of my knowledge football were never standard on this model.The three I owned from early 80"s had the SLC

Thanks, that was my thought. Plus, about 2/3 down, the back strap is below the surface of the grips. I didn't figure it would have left the factory like that but that kind of stuff does happen.

Full cut out started in the mid-70s.....

Some folks like the football cut as a thumb rest ...... work's well if you're not using speed loaders.

I had a pair with the SLC in my parts box and they are ink stamped 8-81. Just about the right vintage and they fit perfectly.

What is the s/n of the 4-inch?

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I was quoting SCS&W .......but remember S&W never wastes anything!!!!

The 4" is AAE13xx and the 6" is AAE18xx. I rarely disclose entire serial numbers.

Same with Colt and all the others. Never say never and never say always. With parts bins it's first in, last out.

I would never ask you to. Sharing prefixes and a few numbers is harmless and often adds a great deal to the discussion.

I have seen AAE27xx a 4-inch M586 in the box with the ship date of June 29, 1983. That gun was nickel.

Your 4-inch has its S&W logo on the right side which is indicative of a early L frame.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Not to worry, I didn't think you were prying. I find it interesting that the 4" cylinder is stamped with the last four digits of the serial number but 510 guns later my 6" cylinder is not.

Shipping dates can be misleading if we try to tie them to manufacture date. I have a Colt Model 1860 Army that was one of the last made in 1873 but that gun didn't ship from Colt until 1887.

I'm curious, is the 1860 still cap and ball or was it a conversion model to metallic cartridge such as .44 rimfire?

They did conversions with all their models but mine is cap and ball, it was never converted.