Early Model 60 variants, 3" barrels, with new pics
- Thread starter PeteC
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lawandorder
Member
How about a model 60 3 inch ( with no dash present ) sn# in the AEU range bearing what appears to be ordinance bombs in 3 places.
Walter Rego
Member
Looks good to me. I like the 3" Model 36's. A buddy has one and I found it to be much easier to shoot than the 1 7/8" standard J frames. That extra inch doesn't seem to make any difference in concealablity but undoubtedly helps get a bit more needed velocity out of a load.
.357magger
Member
The 60-4 is, for me, THE perfect carry J frame. Small enough to conceal pretty much anywhere, large enough to accurately hit almost anywhere.
I've been on the losing end of several auctions over the last few years searching for one.
But eventually, I'll acquire.
Thanks for sharing yours.
Does it have a square butt? AEU s/n pefix makes it sound like one of the Jovino special run . . . or one that got tacked onto or diverted from that run . . . possibly for evaluation by DOD???
Most interesting . . . would love to hear more . . . oh yes, and pictures!
Russ
Second the desirability of the 60-4. I love mine. I did NOT want a .357 J-frame and had seen a buddy's 60-4. Not long afterward I ran across one with box and all at the Birmingham Alabama gunshows. Got it for $500 which seemed a lot at the time but good luck finding one for that now. A standard 2" no dash 60 is my EDC gun.
With permission of lawandorder I am posting pictures of markings on his model 60.
Will the experts please offer your opinions on what these marks mean.
Russ
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I believe those to be European proof marks, as several countries require them.
[not an expert, those should be along shortly]
The revolver that made me ask about the early Model 60 3" in the first place, is the one I posted pics of above. More detailed description:
Model 60-1
Pinned 3" heavy barrel
s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)
Round butt
Ramp front sight
Notch rear sight
Small S&W trademark on left side
Narrow service hammer
Smooth combat trigger
Assembly numbers match
No obvious rework stamp
No date stamp on grip frame
It does not seem to match any of the special runs like Ashland or Jovino, or the reworked NYCPD version, or early Lady Smith version of 1989.
So what is it?
Model 60-1
Pinned 3" heavy barrel
s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)
Round butt
Ramp front sight
Notch rear sight
Small S&W trademark on left side
Narrow service hammer
Smooth combat trigger
Assembly numbers match
No obvious rework stamp
No date stamp on grip frame
It does not seem to match any of the special runs like Ashland or Jovino, or the reworked NYCPD version, or early Lady Smith version of 1989.
So what is it?
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"It" is worth $100 for a letter.
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Missed this thread on the first go-around.
Two possibilities that come to mind. Given the serial number, it could be a hard chromed model 36-1 that was somehow mis-stamped as a 60-1. The other option would be a very early 3" model 60, but this would have been six years before anyone at the factory would have thought of making this (-1) engineering change.
Did you wind up getting a letter?
The way the barrel rib doesn't match up with the frame, my impression is the barrel is a replacement. Red ramp also points to custom work/modifications.
I had to pull out my 36-1 HB 3" and believe you are correct in the barrel/frame relationship. No beveled frame corners on the 3".
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This one is only about 25 years old.
This is product code 102432. It is called the "Small Hunter"
182 of these were produced for Lew Horton Distributors back in 1997. The revolver originally shipped with Uncle Mikes rubber finger groove grips
I put the Factory rosewood grips on it after buying it
I did not get a letter, no. I was hoping someone else with the same gun would pop up sooner or later, and then I moved on to something else (odd little strays seem to just find me, not out looking for them, lol).
From what I have been reading the lead time for a letter is very long right now and even memberships are not getting processed very quickly (mine seems to be lost in space, and I am thinking of just resubmitting it). I think I can wait until they catch up,
From what I have been reading the lead time for a letter is very long right now and even memberships are not getting processed very quickly (mine seems to be lost in space, and I am thinking of just resubmitting it). I think I can wait until they catch up,
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That is an excellent catch and good feedback!
The serial number does not have the R prefix, so the frame is from before 1969, but the frame is ALSO stamped 60-1.
Neglecting the 3" barrel for the moment:
- Model 60-1 stamped behind the crane
- Round butt frame
- s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)
Thanks, and I will post some better pics this weekend.
Quite the intriguing puzzle, Pete.
I think dnater caught something very important. That frame appears to have been made for a 2" lightweight barrel.
There was a second run of Model 60-1s with round butts and 2" barrels, but that wasn't till 1985 (the year after the Jovino square butts) so still not pinned. Those 660 Chiefs Special Target Models for Ashland Shooters Supply had the typical 2" target model shark fin front sight and an adjustable rear sight.
Please keep digging. As that '80s tv ad suggested, "Inquiring minds want to know."
I think dnater caught something very important. That frame appears to have been made for a 2" lightweight barrel.
There was a second run of Model 60-1s with round butts and 2" barrels, but that wasn't till 1985 (the year after the Jovino square butts) so still not pinned. Those 660 Chiefs Special Target Models for Ashland Shooters Supply had the typical 2" target model shark fin front sight and an adjustable rear sight.
Please keep digging. As that '80s tv ad suggested, "Inquiring minds want to know."
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