My new (NOS) 66-1 w/6" barrel

[413Maxwedge]

Today I took delivery of my first vintage S&W, and it's a mint NOS piece. All the gun-store regulars lined up to look at it and tell me stories about the 66's they had owned.

It had a hazy coating of grease (?) all over when I unrapped it and the controls felt a little "gummy" or sticky. Especially the movement of the center pin through the cylinder. I took it home, dissassembled the innards and gave it a full clean and lube. Now it looks and feels like a new Smith should. Also, this is my first P&R revolver. Score!

As you look at the pics (this and following posts) I'd welcome any info about the Serial # and stampings. I believe the 66-1 was produced from '77 - '82 but I'd like to know about this one.
Thanks.

 

[413Maxwedge]

So here are the clean & lube pics, with the frame stamping. SN is 62K10xx if anyone can date it.

 

[413Maxwedge]

I love the ribs.

 

[snw19_357]

I would expect a Model 66-1 in the 62K range shipped in the first half of 1980.

The 5 digit number is the assembly number and will also be on the yoke along with one of the fitter stamps you see here.

The F in the circle and the 7 in the hexagon are inspector stamps and the 07438 is the part number of the frame and will be on all square butt Model 66 frames of the age.

 

[413Maxwedge]

This is my first vintage revolver (all my Js and my 686 are current -rev). I knew they changed the frame lug design but I assumed they were always cast into the frame. I see now this looks pressed in and expanded.

 

[snw19_357]

This is my first vintage revolver (all my Js and my 686 are current -rev). I knew they changed the frame lug design but I assumed they were always cast into the frame. I see now this looks pressed in and expanded.

You'll notice this one has a slot behind the trigger for a trigger stop, which your others won't have.

 

[413Maxwedge]

NOS grips.

 

[413Maxwedge]

You'll notice this one has a slot behind the trigger for a trigger stop, which your others won't have.

Yes sir, here it is.

 

[.38SuperMan]

That is one beautiful gun! I wasn’t aware Smith made them in 6”. Nice!

 

[saemetric]

Mine is in the 35k1984 range from 1979.

 

[snw19_357]

and yours still has the trigger stop!
Not common in a 66-1 that doesn't have TT/TH/RR/WO

 

[413Maxwedge]

IN THE BOX - All the original paperwork and unused tools.

 

[413Maxwedge]

I would expect a Model 66-1 in....

Thank you very much snw19 357. I'll note this down.

 

[413Maxwedge]

The box labels...

 

[CHARLIE699]

Here is a 'no-dash" . Serial puts it in '75. Roughly 3 years before 6" were cataloged items. Never lettered though,,,

Nice catch on your -1. Nice pictorial too!

 

[sbrmike]

I cringed at seeing such a pristine gun and that Craftsman screw driver. Did you bugger the head of the Strain screw or did it come that way from S&W? Get a good set of hollow ground gunsmith screw drivers. Brownell's even sells a S&W specific set of bits. Beautiful gun but come on!

 

[413Maxwedge]

I cringed at seeing such a pristine gun and that Craftsman screw driver. Did you bugger the head of the Strain screw or did it come that way from S&W? Get a good set of hollow ground gunsmith screw drivers. Brownell's even sells a S&W specific set of bits. Beautiful gun but come on!

I just ordered a nice S&W screwdriver set... thanks for the advice. I also ordered the correct replacement Strain Screw and pre-'87 Sideplate Screws.

 

[Xfuzz]

"66-1"....vintage.
Nice Smith.

Man. I am old.

 

[pharmer]

I bought this one, 67K ser #, in March 1981. Couldn't get a 4" anywhere around these parts as LE was snatching all the production. It did start the "accumulation" though, don't know if'n that was a bad thing or good. Joe

 

[413Maxwedge]

I purchased a S&W screwdriver set and replacement screws.