I came across this little guy at a local big box store, for under $375.00. I have tried to learn more information about this model with my 3rd edition copy, but it is not listed there. Can anyone give me some details about this model? Product code is 102433 with a serial number of BNE18xx. Also I have never seen the type of box it came in before. Please elaborate on that as well.

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I have a recollection that this packaging was used for export guns? The SN prefix dates it to early 1993. There were 3" 60-3s with bobbed hammer spurs from the factory but I don't recall seeing a 60-7.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Nice looking gun. Congrats.
Is the 60-3 .357 mag or .38 spl?

Thank you.

Interesting Chiefs Special, and for the price It's a steal. Congrats.

I don't find the product code in the 4th Edition, either.

It would have the wider, 1/8th inch front sight, and its carbon steel equivalent would be the 36-8 (the 36-7 was only available in 2"). The 36-8 did come in a factory Double Action Only version with a bobbed hammer so it might be reasonable to assume the 60 did also. Does the box end label say DAO?

In any event It's a neat, oddball Chiefs Special, and everyone knows I love those.

For Sevastopol: the 60-3 was .38 Special. The 60-9 was the first built on the J-Magnum frame in 1996.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I've started a mini-collection of rare or semi-rare model 60's due to happening upon a few in the recent past. I would have jumped on that without any hesitation.

I remember seeing a few Ladysmith marked 60-7 revolvers in 3". I've never seen a non Ladysmith 60-7 in that length. To say I'm jealous would be understating things a bit.

Thank you gentlemen for your insight and comments! I checked the action on the revolver and it is DAO. Under Features on the end label it has the abbreviation: NON STD, and under Spec Ord: it has the code 8292

I immediately recognized it as something I have never seen before, and did purchase it right away. I am a huge fan of the model 60-4 3" so I thought that 60-7 was really cool!

That's interesting.

It's the Julian Date when the revolver was packaged (I believe that's the correct term -- one of the experts will be along to correct me if I'm wrong).

The first number is the year, and the other three digits are the day of that year.

The thing I find interesting is the year. If "8" means 1988, that's two years before the SCSW 4th Ed. says the 60-7 was released. If it means 1998, that's two years after the J-Magnum frame was released.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

That is a great deal! Congratulations!

I agree. That date code is off. 88 would have been a 60-3

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-Matt

Thank you.

Here is a picture of the label, the model number stamp inside the crane is clearly 60-7 and the front sight blade is the larger 1/8" wide

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60-7 End label.jpg (52.9 KB, 356 views)

Most Interesting! Thanks.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Exceptionally jealous or the gun, and price. That thing is hot, and just about the ideal j frame imo.

So what are we thinking here? A rebarreled 60-7?

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Ban this man,
'89

I'm not thinking that.

The serial number on the frame, which says 60-7, matches the box, which says 3".

I believe the Chiefs Special left the factory in that box, just as Dino44 got it.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Well, either way, it's a very interesting & uncommon J Frame. I too recall similar examples, except they were matte blue, & I can't say about the Box, as it wasn't on display along with the gun. The Dealer also had a 2" DAO M-36 for sale, & IIRC something about the 2" being from an NYPD Contract overrun. It had to have been circa 1995 or so. THOSE were the days of numerous Contract Production Overrun's, but unfortunately, at the time I simply couldn't afford gratuitous firearms buying !! OMG, I literally get sick just thinking about some of the odd S&W's I had a chance to buy !!! Of all of them, I only kept 2. If I were the O/P, I would try E-Mailing S&W's Customer Service & politely ask if they would 'look up' your example's Special Order #, & or any other relevant #'s off the Box Label. Hey, you never know ? Every little bit of information goes into assembling the final product, right ? GOOD LUCK, & Congrats on an unusual, & quite useful just as it is Revolver. I however wouldn't use it until I learned exactly what it is.

Best, dpast32

Never seen this one.
Would probably buy it,
Even with Bobbed Hammer!
I don’t like Bob on the Hammer.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I am liking that a lot!!

I too own a 60-7 in stainless steel, but with a 2.125" bbl. The serial number dates it as Shipped in 1994. Although produced at least two years before they strengthened the frame to fire .357 magnum loads, it's been my understanding that the 60-7 s/s model was already built with tolerances that would allow it to shoot +P .38 Special loads. But I don't know for sure.

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Stercus Accidit

Yes, the 60-7 was factory approved for +P.

A letter of authenticity may be the only way to get more information about it:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I did obtain a letter of authenticity. Here is the results:

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Thanks for sharing your letter.

Clearly it sat on the closet shelves for a period before being shipped. Most interesting that it didn't ship till '99 for several reasons. It isn't built on the J-magnum frame because it doesn't have the machined cylinder stop lug, which started in '96, but it has the '99 contemporary beveled thumbpiece.

Is the trigger a MIM model? (Hollow channel along the back.) My mind is sort of sketchy on exactly when the MIM started on the Model 60s. My Model 60-10 shipped in June '97, and it has the forged, case hardened hammer and trigger. It also has the new style beveled thumbpiece (I don't recall if it's MIM). My next younger Chiefs is a 36-9 that shipped in February '98, and it has the MIM hammer, trigger and beveled thumbpiece.

I covet your Chiefs Special! If my safe were full I'd buy a new one just to have a place for it in the hoard.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Big box store? Looks like someone at Cabelas or Bass Pro missed the boat when it came to pricing. They normally go the other way. Good for you.

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Only a cold warrior

Bob Two-Bit Cowboy, I admire your enthusiasm for the Chiefs and I love your slogan "Keeper of homeless Chiefs"! I just went into the safe to check it out. The trigger is solid with no channel in the back.

Yippee, no MIM.

Although, I'll admit that little 36-9 is a mighty sweet shooter in spite of the MIM.

Yeah, that "keeper" bit. The little dickens just keep showing up. I couldn't possibly turn them away!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Good Morning Gents, Just to add my .02¢ into the mix here, I recall that Ashland Shooting Supplies, of Ashland, Ohio was a very prolific supplier of S&W 'Special Edition' Models, circa the mid 1980's or thereabouts. I frequently drooled all over their advertisements within the old 'Shotgun News', dreaming about which one, or ones I wished I could afford. I still remember the ad announcing their 'Special Run' of 2" M-60's with Adjustable Sights. I said to myself , 'Wow, imagine if they would only do a run with an 3" barrel, now that would be a very nice IWB Revolver for 'light' use. Ashland appeared to be the promoter of numerous quite unusual, yet emminently useful Revolvers. They offered a nice 3" bbl'd M-66, a '2 Tone' M-38 blue, with an Stainless Steel cylinder. ( IRRC, Production Overruns, & or 'Trade Ins' from a Michigan State Police contract. ) They had all sorts of Round Butt M-10 / M-64's with 3" or 4" bbls, but with Round Butts, some were even S&W Factory D.A.O.. Now, as I start thinking about it, they also carried Foreign Contract Overruns too. One I recall was an 2" M-49 with Saudi Arabian Crest ,etc., etc. !! But, I was still young then, & simply couldn't afford 'gratuitous' gun buying. I bought what I needed, a few that I just wanted, but just couldn't afford any 'Safe Queens' in them days. I had even saved many of the Ashland ads from the Shotgun News, just for collector reference. Unfortunately though, we had an catastrophic flood back in 2010, & they had to be thrown out, which honestly broke my heart !! Sorry for the rant here, but seeing reference to Ashland immediately set off my recall.

Best, dpast32

For 8292 to be a Julian date, it would indicate the 292nd business day of the year. I don't think they have that many.

I picked up this 60-4 two weeks ago at a show, also because I have never seen another one. It is the .38spl. model rated for +P. Paid $580.00 and think I got a great deal. The book tells me it was only made 1 year, if I am reading it correctly.

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Great score you got there, what a deal.
Thanks for posting.
Model 60, 3 inch, some of my favorite revolvers.
Here is a pair my model 60's 3", round and square butt.

Very nice set^^^^^^^^^^

Sorry for your loss dpast32. I work for FEMA and I have witnessed plenty devastation. It is always disturbing to see people loose cherished possessions.

Here are a pair of the pre-lock 60's in 3" with adj sights.
60-4 in .38 special
60-10 in .357



And the 60-1, 2" with adj sights

The box reminds me of the 681 seven shot that was made in extremely limited numbers. My guess is that they found a couple old frames and barrels in the late 90s and tossed together a few guns. The bead blast finish and thumb piece are what makes this gun “off”

Whatever it is it’s no doubt very rare. I would be hesitant to carry it.

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-Matt