On Model 66 is No. on Crane/Yoke supposed to be serial No. ?

[bushmaster1313]

Is the number on the crane/yoke of a Model 66 supposed to be the serial number?

What does the "S" mean ?

What is this part of the gun called?

 

[Nightowl]

That is a factory service number to keep parts together during manufacture. The official serial number on 2 1/2 inch 66s is on the butt. Apparently, the serial number was not put on the yoke cut on the 2 1/2 inchers.

 

[murphydog]

And the part is called the "yoke arm".

 

[two-bit cowboy]

The "S" stamped on the yoke indicates "stainless steel."

Although I can't see it in your photo, you should also find the "S" on the inside of the extractor rod shroud, and it'll be on the bottom rear left side of the grip frame (you have to remove the stocks to see it).

While you have stocks off, you'll also see the same assembly number that's stamped on the yoke on the bottom center of the left side of the grip frame. The third assembly number is stamped on the inside of the side plate. They were used to keep the frame, yoke and side plate together during the manufacturing process until the serial numbers were stamped on the parts, according to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks.

 

[bushmaster1313]

^^^
Thanks all
It’s nice not to be afraid to ask newbie questions !

 

[RKmesa]

That is an interesting 2.5" 66 (no dash). Didn't most 2.5" 66 (no dash) RB guns have the straight edge to the top front of the frame, rather than the "step-down" edge as shown in the above photo and used for the 4" and 6" SB frames?

 

[Hair Trigger]

That is an interesting 2.5" 66 (no dash). Didn't most 2.5" 66 (no dash) RB guns have the straight edge to the top front of the frame, rather than the "step-down" edge as shown in the above photo and used for the 4" and 6" SB frames?

Maybe it's only the no-dash series that has it, IDK for sure. My M66-1 does NOT have that small step

 

[snw19_357]

That is an interesting 2.5" 66 (no dash). Didn't most 2.5" 66 (no dash) RB guns have the straight edge to the top front of the frame, rather than the "step-down" edge as shown in the above photo and used for the 4" and 6" SB frames?

Yes, and -1's through -3's.
This oddity seems to only appear on 2.5" M66's in the 6K63000 ~ 6K79999 range. 6K61000 ~ 6K62999 and 6K80000 and up have the straight edge top straps.

Why don't the others?

 

[JP@AK]

Why don't the others?

Just speculation here, but is it possible those frames were intended for 4" or 6" barrels, but that demand for the 2 1/2" variant caused them to be switched over when they were picked out for assembly? The only 66 I have has the short barrel, so I can't compare it with one having a longer barrel.

 

[310Pilot]

2.5" barrel 66s had round butt grip frames and were shipped with Magna stocks. In keeping with S&W standard practice for K frame guns, serial numbers were only placed on the bottom of the grip frame, unless that model was available from the factory with target stocks, either standard or as an option. Thus, 4 and 6" 66s also had serial numbers inside the yoke cutout as well as on the butt, whereas 2.5" 66s (and 2.5" 19s) only had serial numbers on the butt. I can't offer a good explanation for the variances in frame machining also discussed in this thread.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

What Smith calls a yoke…Colt calls a crane. Before production shifted to frame mounted firing pins from hammer mounted…Smith called it a bullnose and Colt referred to it as a firing pin.

Potayto…potahto.

 

[Hair Trigger]

What Smith calls a yoke…Colt calls a crane. Before production shifted to frame mounted firing pins from hammer mounted…Smith called it a bullnose and Colt referred to it as a firing pin.

Potayto…potahto.

I believe it is called a hammer nose. At least on parts diagrams that is how they are listed.