I'm still trying to narrow down how many of these RJF serial prefix Melonite 4566s were made.

The factory letter does not say. So, anyone got or seen a serial number higher than 3184? Or lower than 3106? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

skjos.net suggests there are about 325 total, 300 or so in a group with RJFxxxx serial numbers. Another 25 or so with KJFxxxx.

I have seen 3185...I can't say where but I have seen it Not a lot of help being only 1 pistol higher.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Well, I just saw another factory letter on the RJF prefix Melonite 4566. It was with an example for sale on the big auction board.

The letter states that these guns were produced in 2009 with a production code of 148670. The production run was for 119 units. The unit in question shipped from the factory in May of 2009.

So I guess this will be the number...…..until another letter with different info pops up. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Wow, what a day for interesting S&W pistols on the big board!

Weren't these RJF series pistols supposedly produced as part of an order for the U.S. Marshal Service? Interesting that the letter doesn't mention anything about it. What a great-looking gun, though!

So 18, does the letter with it have different information than another letter you've seen, or are you just referring to the "never say never" aspect of our hobby?

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I just saw that information show up on the auction board, and started to pour through the pictures I could find on the net. I came up with the same verifiable low/high serial number range you did: RJF3106 and RJF3184.

*UPDATE: New pictures have slightly opened the serial number range to RJF3104 - to RJF3193.*


Production Letters:




RJF3104


RJF3193


RJF3193 Box


Original Order History?


Piecing it together it looks like the RJF pistols may have been produced for New Hampshire Marine Patrol in 1999, but they never took ownership of all the pistols. They sat at S&W for ten years until distributed to Williams Shooter Supply (and possibly others) in 2009.

vigil617 I have seen TWO Jinks letters on these guns. I think member Gunhacker had one....

Anyways, one letter said they were made in 1999 and held in storage till 2009. Then sent out to distributors. No mention of how many made.

The Marshal service order or who they were made for is not revealed in either letter. That is a rumor on some gunboards. A few folks say they were made for the SOG.

This letter - with the gun currently for sale - says they were made in 2009 and 119 made. Which letter to believe? Yes, they are nice guns. I have RJF311X. I had a second example but sold it.

Thank you skjos! I hope you find out how many were made for your excellent list! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Be interesting to see what it sells for, especially considering the one (supposedly NIB) that's lingered for quite a while at $1,450. I'm guessing a grand, maybe $1,100, but you never know with the right collector.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Or the right SHOOTER. I know nothing of collectors. The idea of buying a nice pistol and NOT enjoying it for what it was made for doesn't compute, for me.

I suspect you are right on the mark. $1000 to $1100 sounds about right. I would be interested in what my friend mbliss thinks as he keeps pretty good track of 3rd gen pricing. And he has had a couple of these IIRC.

I purchased my first RJF Melonite 4566 back in 2009 off an officer in Ohio who had bought it to use as a duty gun - before he found out that personally owned weaponswere being prohibited by his agency. I shot it quite a bit and carried it on my own time, but never qualified with it to carry it on duty. I would not sell mine though. It is a VERY accurate 45 with a very nice trigger.

The New Hampshire Maritime agency that used these Melonite 4566s had around 50 examples IIRC. So, if you add those, plus the observed serials.......not quite adding up to 119...... Puzzling. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Looks like we guessed the value just about right. Somebody got themselves a very nice 45!

Anyone here buy it? Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I just bought my own 4566 in black melonite. I will give update with pictures and range report as I have them. regards, GPS

Is it outside the observed serial number range (RJF3106 - RJF3184)?

Congrats 5.0SC! We are looking forward to your info and pics of your new 4566. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

The 4566M that I purchased is within the RJF3106 to RJF3184 serial number range. Thanks for the congrats and I will post pics once it is in my hands!

Yep.. that was me. Mine is the one that was held in S&W inventory since 1999 and was finally sold and shipped in 2009, s/n RJF3156.

Could it be that they had an order and did a run in 2009 and that's what precipitated mine finally being sprung from inventory, to fill the number ordered?

Both guns in the 2 letters were shipped to the same place, Williams Shooters Supply Co. in Quincy, IL. with the same May 02, 2009 ship date.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Well looks like by the earlier posts if they be true I now own the first known serial number of a 119 unit production run of the model 4566 Melonite finish pistols, mine being #3106. I will enjoy that knowledge until someone comes forward with a lower serial number. It is in at least LNIB condition that I can testify to. only detraction being the nights sights are burnt out. I am contemplating sending it to S&W for a PC tune job and fresh night sights. They say it will be a four month wait to get the work done. What I paid for it is my business but I am very happy to own it. NHMP order or as this one was advertised from a US Marshal Service order matters not much to me.

Congrats 5.0SC. If I was going to use that gun I would have it relamped. If I was just buying as a collector I wouldn't bother. They are really nice guns.
18DAI is correct that I have owned a couple myself in the past. You are absolutely correct in saying that what you or anyone pays for a gun is there own business. However, on the GB Auction site it is very easy to find what a certain gun sold for. So don't be too surprised if someone brings that up.
Pics would be nice if you can post them. Congratulations. That is a very nice package.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I ran across another Melonite 4566 listed for sale. The auction was closed, so there is no way to contact the owner.

And he had it showing only from the right side, so no way to check the serial number. It appeared to be one of the RJF prefixed guns.

Heres the interesting part - the seller claimed he had a Jinks letter with the gun, that claimed there were 622 produced. He didn't show the letter and there were no further details. That is a far larger number than the other Jinks letters seen here, on the same model. Quite a difference.

Oh, the asking price was $1300. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

In the early 2000s I worked with an officer who carried a Melonite 4566. She bought it new in 2000. It was extremely rare in Los Angeles

Evidently some of these RJF prefix Melonite 4566s made it out of the factory prior to 2009.

I purchased one from an officer in Ohio in 2007, IIRC. And he had purchased it for use as a duty pistol several years prior. He ultimately didn't use it, so it was LNIB when I recieved it.

Strange that there are so many different stories surrounding these pistols. And the varying production numbers are even stranger. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I sold the one I had , It was like new, for 1050 in april 2018. I think a place in Colorado has had it for sale on GB. I will see if I have the serial in my records. Finally came across the receipt for the gun . Serial was RJF3106.

Indeed, there sure are some interesting twists and turns associated with these particular pistols....

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

i Know this is an old thread but just thought i would post on here as i just purchased one outside the verifiable serial numbers. I have RJF3104

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated!

Was it used or like new in box? Thanks again! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

It is used not alot of wear but has been shot some also no box

Pictures would be awesome, I can add one to post #6.

I have serial number RJF3193. Posted about it with pictures on the forum a few months ago.

Thanks very much for the info vjp! And congrats on the aquisition! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I saw those pictures and forgot to update this thread, the oversight has been corrected and post #6 has been revised.

The updated observed serial number range on these 4566M RJF prefix pistols now stands at 3104 to 3193.

Anyone else have an example outside that range? Any collectors have a secret about these particular guns they could share with the rest of us? Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Finally came across the sales receipt for the 4566 I sold back in 2018, RJF 3106. I see its is now owned by 5.0SC here . It was LNIB , I think I put the nightsights on it and about 3 or 4 magazines to sight in and test out. Cleaned and it and it didnt leave the safe till I sold it.

Just took possession today of RJF3104.
Will post pics after get her all cleaned up and
the factory grips put on. It is in great condition!

Congrats! Looking forward to your range report! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Well here it is finally! Serial number RJF3104. Came with Hogues which I'm not a big fan of so I found some brand new dark gray recall grips no dimple. New springs throughout as well as two new mag springs. Swapped all three levers and adjusted the head of the drawbar to eliminate the bad trigger click that was going on. Pistol was very clean and no blemishes. Just needed a little TLC. The sights have been filled in with what appears to be a green glow in the dark sight paint but nicely done and doesn't look bad at all. All in all I know I paid too much for it but I don't really care. I know what it is and what it's worth to me! Can't wait to get it to the range.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Congrats my friend! She is a beauty! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I just contacted Smith for a DOM and was told Nov 11, 2004 for my #3104. As we all know, that's when it actually left the factory and not the actual build date. Interesting though!

Absolutely beautiful I love the black 3rdgens...

Kinda want one now, off to the WTB section hahahahahah

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This is the way....

Haha! The 3rd gens have that effect! I miss the days of being able to pick one up for next to nothing.

Interesting thread. Was looking for my first 4566 shooter and found this.
GB Item 942806486. S&W customer service says RJF3140 left the factory January 2005.

You scored a great deal on that RJF pistol.

Apparently slept through this thread over time, but just realized that I have a Melonite coated auto in the RJFxxxx serial number sequence, but it's a M4046 and was wondering if there are other known models besides the M4566 and my M4046 in that serial number range?

Does anyone have any info on why/how these were coated? Could this be similar to the PCZxxxx serial numbered pistols where the various left over frames were made up using this s/n prefix as discussed in this thread recently?:
M3953 - Performance Center "Special Edition"

Have you all known about this stuff over the past few years and I've just slept through it??

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.............SmithNut

OK before you laugh at me - my bad.... or I should say me memory is bad...
I just searched on M4046 and found this thread:
4046 Factory Melonite?

The real embarrassment is "I POSTED IN IT"

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.............SmithNut

I have a plain Jane, uncoated stainless 5906 that shipped to the Puerto Rican government (military/police?) in 1999 with the "RJF" prefix.

I believe it was one of many because I recall a bunch of S&W semis coming from Puerto Rico when I bought mine a few years ago.

That's all I got.

John