Blind squirrel, found nut; 66-1 snub

[S&W Fan]

Well through a series of events I came across a 66-1 2.5" today. It has all the proper -1 features; p&r with logo on the side plate. The timing and lockup are the proverbial "bank vault" tight. The action is smooth, the grips number to the gun though there is some type of black magic marker perhaps markings on the grip panel interior.

The rear sight blade originally had the white outline but it is mostly gone though I tried to bring it back with some white paint on a toothpick. Not a great job at all but it'll do for now. I'll re-do it at some point.

It shows some very light scratches though the barrel and cylinders are very clean as is the forcing cone. The top of the right grip panel shows some light wear and I'm wondering if at some point in it's life the sideplate was removed. Regardless of these "character marks" I couldn't be more thrilled to call it mine now. Just the revolver, no box etc.

The serial prefix is 25K so I'm guessing perhaps late 1978. I was raised that it was impolite to ask what someone paid for an item so I'll keep that to myself but even with our stupid mandatory ffl transfer fee in Colorado I did quite well so let's just leave that as it is.

I'm so stoked I just had to share with some quickie cell pics under lousy lighting, I'll try more tomorrow under natural light:

 

[Heinz]

Nice pistol! Nice find. Thanks for posting

 

[lkabug]

You did good!
I'm still seeking mine.

 

[Retired W4]

I purchased my 2 1/2" 66-1 new in 1978. It has a 30K prefix. I've shot more 125 gr JHPs through it than the law allows. Over the decades it developed a little end shake, but the shims tightened it right up. I still carry it in a Don Hume on occasion.

Nice acquisition. Enjoy it.

I know everyone likes pictures so...

 

[Truckman]

Very nice!...I've had several of those over the years, and sadly get smooth-talked out of them every time...What a sucker I am!......Ben

 

[swagmeister]

Great find. Just enough wear to be an excellent shooter and not have to worry about babying it. They are getting harder to find by the day. Thanks for showing and enjoy.

 

[ladder13]

Congrats Steve.

 

[ACORN]

Some oil and a gray Scotchbrite would have that looking brand new!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Well through a series of events I came across a 66-1 2.5" today. It has all the proper -1 features; p&r with logo on the side plate. The timing and lockup are the proverbial "bank vault" tight. The action is smooth, the grips number to the gun though there is some type of black magic marker perhaps markings on the grip panel interior.

The rear sight blade originally had the white outline but it is mostly gone though I tried to bring it back with some white paint on a toothpick. Not a great job at all but it'll do for now. I'll re-do it at some point.

It shows some very light scratches though the barrel and cylinders are very clean as is the forcing cone. The top of the right grip panel shows some light wear and I'm wondering if at some point in it's life the sideplate was removed. Regardless of these "character marks" I couldn't be more thrilled to call it mine now. Just the revolver, no box etc.

The serial prefix is 25K so I'm guessing perhaps late 1978. I was raised that it was impolite to ask what someone paid for an item so I'll keep that to myself but even with our stupid mandatory ffl transfer fee in Colorado I did quite well so let's just leave that as it is.

I'm so stoked I just had to share with some quickie cell pics under lousy lighting, I'll try more tomorrow under natural light:

I bought a ANIB M66-1 a couple of years ago, a 1980 vintage, so I probably know about what you paid for yours . Kind of stings for such a little gun, but mine has become my EDC . Unless the last owner was very, very good, I don't think the side plate has been off your gun judging from the screw slots I can see in the pictures.

The really great thing about stainless is the scratches don't go through the finish and show another color. You can decrease the "intensity" of the deeper scratches, and even remove the very minor ones, with something like Flitz, but do not use a powered tool like a Dremel with a buffing wheel as it will leave swirl marks. Do it entirely by hand with a soft cloth like an old diaper. Then treat it to a coat of Renaissance Wax. RenWax doesn't hold fingerprints when you handle the gun, and you can use it on the stocks, too. I still have the original stocks, look like yours, but I usually change them to something I won't mind beating up with use:

 

[Marshal Tom]

As Acorn said above, I have cleaned up several stainless guns with a gray scotchbrite pad and taken all the scratches out.

 

[S&W Fan]

Here are a couple of new pics with morning sunlight coming through the windows after a very mild cleaning session (the gun was cleaned not the windows lol). I don't plan on doing anything more to it except shoot it LOL. I would like to get a real polished t-grip, not the ones being offered currently in a few online locations, for it and I need to figure out a holster too, it never ends.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

For a long time I wanted a Model 19 snubby but the price of admission is too high for all but one in roached condition. I satisfied that itch with a M66 that was nearly new in an auction for fairly short money. Super revolver even if I admit snubbies with adjustable sights aren't that practical.

My 66...

 

[BAM-BAM]

Remember when they were everywhere................... then there were none!

My 66 needs were/are filled by a 3" 66-3 that I got back in about 1988 for the princely sum of $270. Over the next 10 years I traded away my 2 1/2" 19 to a friend. In the early part of the 21st Century with a little extra cash in my pockets I figured I'd "replace" some 19s and 66s.... 2 1/2 and 4" guns I'd owned over the years.

Took me the better part of a decade to find those 4 P&R guns in local gun shops in the condition I wanted.

So congrats on a great score!!!!!

Footnote: the 4 inch 19 and 66 I'd owned in the late 70s early 80s had been replaced by 4" L-frames .

 

[ken158]

Asking what you paid for a gun you are bragging about should not be considered impolite. What it does is to help others determine value when prices are shared so selling / buying prices can be taken into consideration when others run across a prospective purchase. One of the "helping others" things this forum should be about.

 

[S&W Fan]

Asking what you paid for a gun you are bragging about should not be considered impolite. What it does is to help others determine value when prices are shared so selling / buying prices can be taken into consideration when others run across a prospective purchase. One of the "helping others" things this forum should be about.

Good points-this was received through trading some old camera equipement and motorcycle parts that I valued at $650. Add in the mandated transfer fee and the cash value to me would be $685.

 

[jughed440]

Enjoy that excellent find!!!

Good points-this was received through trading some old camera equipement and motorcycle parts that I valued at $650. Add in the mandated transfer fee and the cash value to me would be $685.

Trading some space-wasting stuff for a desirable 66 snub was the perfect deal.

 

[welldoya]

I bought one with a nice Bianchi holster in the mid 80s. I paid around $200 for it and foolishly sold it several months later for $255.
I bought another one a couple of months ago (not for $200) and this one is going nowhere.

 

[ladder13]

Here are a couple of new pics with morning sunlight coming through the windows after a very mild cleaning session (the gun was cleaned not the windows lol). I don't plan on doing anything more to it except shoot it LOL. I would like to get a real polished t-grip, not the ones being offered currently in a few online locations, for it and I need to figure out a holster too, it never ends.

Looks good cleaned up, Steve.

I've owned over a half dozen 2 1/2 inchers, now left with this one. Previous owner put in TH, TT.

 

[LPD256]

I love 66's in all forms. I stumbled into this 66-1 with extra holes in the barrel. Shoots great. Not sure if the Magnaport makes a ton of difference, but this is the one gets carried most. Your gun looks great. Nice job cleaning her up. Enjoy.

 

[S&W Fan]

Looks good cleaned up, Steve.

I've owned over a half dozen 2 1/2 inchers, now left with this one. Previous owner put in TH, TT.

Thanks Mike! Great combats on yours. I always liked how they look but don't work for my hands. I'm looking forward to seeing how it shoots on the weekend.