History of the Model 61 "Escort"

[DesertFox]

Great write up. Nice little pistol. I've got a 2213 that is a sweet little piece!

 

[Sebago Son]

I've been fielding a 2214 for several years now...





It replaced my favorite 34-1 as my "Kit Gun"....





Leather by Lefty Lewis of Bell Charter Oak.

 

[949r]

When I was a kid, I remember my grandfather had one of these, which he used to shoot in the basement. When he passed away we never found his model 61, but in a box of his stuff that I was given were these 3 magazines. Packed away and forgotten until recently, I'm now wondering what these are worth?

I've never been a fan of small pistols, preferring large frame autos and revolvers. So, I'm not likely to ever acquire one of these for my collection.

Let me know if you want to sell these (if you still have them) I'll take them off your hands for $40.

 

[jmacch]

Escort Model 61-2 serial numbers

I have own several Escorts they are fun at the range but only hold 5 rounds and they are not tolerant of dirt.
I recently aquired a 61-2 with a serial number in the model 61 range (B26XX) if you go with conventional wisdom that model 61 serial #'s were between B1001 thru B7800. When I inquired with S&W they responded that the firearm was produced between 1970-78. Before I invest in a Smith archive letter I thought I would check to see if any members had any insight on Smith's serial numbers; I'd hate to think they are just random.

Thanks

 

[jackvs1]

What a great thread. Does anyone have photo's of nickel escort's? Did the nickel come with pearl like grips? Thanks

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The nickel came with white plastic grips that I guess looked like pearl. Mine worked all the time with Rem HSHP golden bullets, not with the few other types I tried. Right or wrong, I didn't trust the safety enough to carry it in my pocket, so I got rid of it.

 

[Stranglehold]

I picked up an Escort four or five years ago when I found a LNIB example at a small northern Michigan gun shop. I had heard this shop had some fine vintage S&W revolvers from an estate, but alas, by the time I got there while traveling to the UP, all were gone. The price was right...and I hated to waste the trip...so this 61 escorted us on the remainder of our vacation.

Roe

 

[smitholdtimer]

M-61 "ESCORT"

Thanks John for a very informative article. The M-61 was introduced to the public during the time I was employed with a small town as a reserve police officer. These were purchased by some officers as "Back Up" guns but for some reason I chose the Norarmco Budischosky, an all stainless material and a little smaller too. Thank the Good Lord that I never needed to use it for the reason it was purchased because it also proved very unreliable.
Interestingly I just found and purchased a M-61 no dash and bought it to go along with its later produced offspring. Its kinda like their Grandfather. Always learn from and appreciate your writings!

 

[Aussie Collector]

Great information and interesting thread. Thanks.

Other Model 61 tidbits.
In 1967 it was called the AP22.
The model 61 was first cataloged in a 1969 model circular.

 

[rentprop1]

hate to bump a really old topic, but I found this thread from google, had one come into my shop today...and I would really like to find out the thread pitch on the end of the barrel ??

thanks and sorry for the old bump

 

[shoot summ]

hate to bump a really old topic, but I found this thread from google, had one come into my shop today...and I would really like to find out the thread pitch on the end of the barrel ??

thanks and sorry for the old bump

Haven't taken my 61 down that far to look at the threads. I know the follow on(422/622/2206/2213/2214) has an odd, very fine pitched thread.

 

[DONALDG-HOG]

I have three of these and they all fire reliably with Golden Bullets. All three are 61-2. I really like to shoot them and they always go bang.

 

[indigo22]

Thanks John for this information on the 61. I had looked at a couple of these back in the late 70's and now wished I had picked one up. I'm guessing that is why I was inspired by the 2214 that I have recently added to my line up. Reviews on the 2214 are good and they have been rated as quite reliable. I'll be picking mine up from my LGS soon.

 

[jackvs1]

John, your thread is very addicting, thanks for the history.

 

[kwill1911]

Great write up, as always. I have an article coming out in Man at Arms magazine soon about S&W firearms with factory fitted silencers. Would you believe...? Stay tuned!

 

[vytoland]

the S&W model 61 = a favorite of travis bickle.....

 

[unclesamschild]

Model 61

Great story. Filled in a gap of information I was missing. My father passed away in 2003. While going through his gun collection, I found the little blued Smith in the box with the rug and 1 magazine. Seeing it was a .22, I was curious about it's origin. Now I know. I do remember my dad talking about it and why he rarely shot it. He said it quickly gunked up with carbon and began to jam. It had to be cleaned often to keep it functioning. The box is in okay condition and I threw the rug away as it was covered in mold and the zipper broken. Oh well, I still think it is a special little piece of S&W history.

 

[Barrie]

Unclesamschild Welcome to the Forum from Canada. The M61's are a neat little gun and can shoot well when clean. Being from your Dad I am sure its a gun you will treasure for many years to come.

 

[Doctor Grape Ape]

Is there any information on the B1 to B500 special presentation pistols? What were they for, who got them, etc.? Anyone happen to have one?

 

[foxy320]

my dad bought a nickel 61 new in the box with all the extras for my mom. as I remember he paid $55.00 for it. this was in the early 70s'. She never shot it & it is in my safe now, hopefully to be passed on to one of my kids.