Lastest Addition, A Model 66 (no-dash) 3" P&R Revolver. Need Information On This.

[Model39]

Lastest Addition, A Model 66 (no-dash) 3" P&R Revolver. Need Information On This.

Here is a gun I had heard of from a friend of mine, who lives in the next county east of where I live. I usually only buy S&W 22 revolvers or Models 39's/59's, but do sometimes buy S&W centerfire revolvers.
This an unusual Model 66 (no-dash) 3" pinned and recessed revolver, that has a .500 target hammer, and a.500 target trigger, as well as a blue front sight blade with the red insert in it, that I thought I should probably get. As hard as I tried, I could not get the man to budge off the $700 he wanted for it, and almost didn't buy it, but did finally give in.
The only info the man could give me was that he had the gun for over 30 years and never used it. The gun had smooth Goncalo Alves services grips on it, which I have since replaced with a pair of 1980's factory Goncalo Alves combat grips which I just bought from my disabled friend whom I have been selling parts for recently, to give the gun a better grip feel to it.
I own two of my old service weapons, both no-dash 66's, one 4" and the other 2 1/2", and all three of these guns have the exact same lettering on them, with the S&W Trademark on the sideplates.
I researched several threads on the forum concerning Model 66 3" inch guns, and have seen the blue ramp with red insert on some of the guns, but have not seen any of the guns pictured that are P&R, or with the markings this gun has. Any information you forum members could bring to light would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mag318]

I wasn't aware the factory made any 66 no dash guns with a 3" barrel so I think that the barrel was added later. The trigger and hammer are not original to the gun as they are case hardened. The original hammer and trigger should be stainless or flash chromed. The front sight blade was also originally stainless so this to is a replacement. Looks like someone built the revolver to suit their taste. Should be a great shooter though but would not have any collectors value. The 3" Model 66 is my favorite K frame and IMO one of the best from S&W. Yours is an interesting gun.

 

[tocohillsguy]

Is the box original to the gun? Any indications as to configuration on the box?

 

[TDC]

I'd request a factory letter on this one right away.

What does the label on the box say? What are the options indicated or checked? I've not seen Goncalo Alves wood used on any of the no dash/dash one 2 1/2" 66's either. All the factory original no-dash I've seen and owned have had RB walnut grips. I'm not even sure optional RB grips with Goncalo Alves wood were available during the time frame this model number was being produced.

The target trigger doesn't appear to be serrated although I couldn't tell for sure. I don't believe any non-serrated triggers were available for any J, K, or N frame sizes, nor target hammers or triggers in stainless at the time the no dash was produced.. Never say never with any S&W, however....

The length of the barrel rib is what really throws me. It is the full length of the barrel and tapers up from the frame to the sight blade. All the 66 snubbies do that but this one appears to be a factory produced barrel rather than a possible cut down 4" barrel.

This is a very interesting 66!! I hope you'll keep us informed of what you discover... I sure don't have any of the answers. A factory letter should educate us all....

JMHO......

 

[jughed440]

looks like parts from a 3" 66-3 mated to an earlier frame.
i'm no gunsmith, so i need to ask...can unpinned barrels be drilled or notched to become pinned barrels??? doesn't appear to be that difficult

 

[ARMinSC]

Nice collection of 66's. Those Combats are beautiful on the 3".

 

[Model39]

I wasn't aware the factory made any 66 no dash guns with a 3" barrel so I think that the barrel was added later. The trigger and hammer are not original to the gun as they are case hardened. The original hammer and trigger should be stainless or flash chromed. The front sight blade was also originally stainless so this to is a replacement. Looks like someone built the revolver to suit their taste. Should be a great shooter though but would not have any collectors value. The 3" Model 66 is my favorite K frame and IMO one of the best from S&W. Yours is an interesting gun.

While try ing do my own research,I checked with the S&W service dept, and asked two questions...Did the factory sell individual 3" barrels to the public?, and was told no, no magnum barrels or cylinders were sold to the public. I them asked that if a gun was returned to the factory, would a non-pinned barrel be put on a customers pinned gun as a service request?, and was told no. I'm sure the person I spoke with wasn't with S&W when this gun was done, so who knows. I bought it as I had never seen a 3" 66 that was pinned. The gun looks right as rain, meaning this is not a hatchet job, but a perfectly made gun.
I appreciate you taking the time to assist me with your knowledge.

 

[Model39]

Is the box original to the gun? Any indications as to configuration on the box?

The box is a 4" Model 66 box, with the 4 crossed out and a 3 written in with black marker with the big silver stencil label stating it is a Model 66 stainless steel 357 revolver. The white end label (alot of copies out there) has the the correct serial number and the appropriate checks for the RR/WO/TT/TH. Looking up the serial number puts this being made in 1974. My 2 1/2" gun is also in the same serial range, except about 2000 numbers later. The paperwork in the box is dated 11/74 and shows only a 4" 66 pictured. The unused cleaning kit has the loop rod, brush, swab, and fluted screwdriver. Thanks for the interest.

 

[tocohillsguy]

My bet is with mag318, but the only way to be sure is to have the gun lettered.

 

[Nyteman 44]

That is one nice carry piece. That's the second one I've seen. The 1st one was in the possesion of a Mr. Frank Smith who worked for S&W as a LEO Rep. up in the North Eastern area, NY. Ct. Ma. NH. Vt. I met him while I was at a range near Burlington, Vermont. The year was about 1975. I seem to remember that his M-66 was almost the same as yours, but had a plain black front sight, and plain black rear blade. Hope this helps in some way. Oh by the way, Mr. Smith's M-66 had the target hammer and trigger that were case colored also.

 

[Allen-frame]

Well ,as it came to you,, with the smooth magnas, wide hammer and trigger ,box and all, I'd say you got a fantastic deal.
Whether a competent gunsmith created it ,or it is a factory
build or re-build ,I would not hesitate to pony up $900. for it.

But I have been known to be a little crazy when it comes to
3" model 66s' .

BUT ,try to duplicate it at any price today ....
I don't think you'd find a barrel ,period.

Good luck ,,Allen F.

 

[ljmvaw124]

Whether it's "original" or not, would not make a bit of difference to me ..... Either way, that's one very nice piece - and certainly worth the price !

 

[murphydog]

That is one nice carry piece. That's the second one I've seen. The 1st one was in the possession of a Mr. Frank Smith who worked for S&W as a LEO Rep. up in the North Eastern area, NY. Ct. Ma. NH. Vt. I met him while I was at a range near Burlington, Vermont. The year was about 1975. I seem to remember that his M-66 was almost the same as yours, but had a plain black front sight, and plain black rear blade. Hope this helps in some way. Oh by the way, Mr. Smith's M-66 had the target hammer and trigger that were case colored also.

Exactly what I was thinking - either a factory special for a sales rep, or a beautifully made gunsmith creation.

You can make an unpinned barrel into a pinned version, just look at the photos . This assumes the factory made no 3" model 66 barrels prior to 1985, when the Ashland 66-2 run was made, but never say never with S & W.

 

[Mack]

While try ing do my own research,I checked with the S&W service dept, and asked two questions...Did the factory sell individual 3" barrels to the public?, and was told no, no magnum barrels or cylinders were sold to the public. I them asked that if a gun was returned to the factory, would a non-pinned barrel be put on a customers pinned gun as a service request?, and was told no. I'm sure the person I spoke with wasn't with S&W when this gun was done, so who knows. I bought it as I had never seen a 3" 66 that was pinned. The gun looks right as rain, meaning this is not a hatchet job, but a perfectly made gun.
I appreciate you taking the time to assist me with your knowledge.

I believe you were misinformed on the selling of barrels, last time I checked you can still get 3" J frame and 629 barrels from Brownells and Midway. In the past I have seen others for sale including M65 LS barrels, wish I had picked up some of those.

m.

 

[Model39]

I believe you were misinformed on the selling of barrels, last time I checked you can still get 3" J frame and 629 barrels from Brownells and Midway. In the past I have seen others for sale including M65 LS barrels, wish I had picked up some of those.

m.

I just called the S&W factory, and they said no to selling 66 3" magnum barrels to anyone.

 

[Model39]

Well ,as it came to you,, with the smooth magnas, wide hammer and trigger ,box and all, I'd say you got a fantastic deal.
Whether a competent gunsmith created it ,or it is a factory
build or re-build ,I would not hesitate to pony up $900. for it.

But I have been known to be a little crazy when it comes to
3" model 66s' .

I'll bet $5. it shipped as the 4" gun that matches the box.

BUT ,try to duplicate it at any price today ....
I don't think you'd find a barrel ,period.

Good luck ,,Allen F.

I don't know that much history about Model 66's, but did the factory make 4" inch guns with round butts? The grips frame on this gun is definately a round butt, and it seems unlikely that the grip frame was reshaped, as all the grooves are perfect, and factory grips fit perfectly on the existing frame. It would seem to be alot of extra work to do so, but anything is possible. Thanks for your interest.

 

[jcelect]

My 2 cents!

First, Allen-frame you just lost $5.00! The only round butt mod 66s were the 2 1/2" guns. So the gun at least started life as a 2 1/2". Second, the 2 1/2" round butt 66s were introduced in 1974 so maybe this gun is an experimental gun that got out to the public. I have an Ashland 3" that left the factory in May 1985 and the letter states this was from a special run of 4195 guns in 1985, the first factory 3" mod 66s!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[Engine49guy]

M66 snubs

Im betting its a factory made gun..........

Can you post a top view of your revolvers?

I first thought it was a chopped 4" barrel until I noticed the rear target site runs the full length of the frame
and the frame does not step down at the front to the barrel .

Only Short barrel frames have that long rear site and unstepped frame to match up with the barrel site ramp.

Compare the M66-1 snub (left) next to a 4 " barrel magnum rear site and stepped frame.

Now compare the Model 66 3" to a 4" model 19's frame and site.

Same long rear site on a Model 15 snub (left) next to a 3" Model 66.

 

[Model39]

Im betting its a factory made gun..........

Can you post a top view of your revolvers?

I first thought it was a chopped 4" barrel until I noticed the rear target site runs the full length of the frame
and the frame does not step down at the front to the barrel .

Only Short barrel frames have that long rear site and unstepped frame to match up with the barrel site ramp.

Compare the M66-1 snub (left) next to a 4 " barrel magnum rear site and stepped frame.

Now compare the Model 66 3" to a 4" model 19's frame and site.

Same long rear site on a Model 15 snub (left) next to a 3" Model 66.

As you requested, here is a picture of the top of the gun. I used a light background hopefully to help my poor picture taking capability. Like I said before, this gun looks right. There does not appear to have been any tampering etc to it. Although I'm no expert.
I also found it interesting that another forum member pointed out he had seen one at a police range similar to mine except for the black on black sights back about 1975 that a S&W factory police rep had brought to show the cops.
Another S&WCA member e-mailed me to say he had seen one that was a 66-1, not a no dash 66 like this one, and commented that my barrel was different than the 1985 guns, which was the first year the 3" guns were supposedly made. Thanks for your interest.

 

[Nyteman 44]

Hi, if you care to PM me your Email address , I will send you pics of my Mdl.19 blue 3 " round butt, you can compare your Mdl.66 to mine. My Mdl.19 is in the K622xxx range, not sure what year that would have been. If I knew how to post pictures on the Forum I would put it on your thread , But your 66 is unique.