I'll add my small contribution to this Model 66, 4" barrel thread.
I have a Model 66 snubby as well (I think it's a 66-3 but don't recall for sure until I look at it again), but this one below is one I bought brand new many, many years ago but can't recall exactly when.
I'm not even sure if I've ever fired it, but don't think I have. The wear ring on the cylinder is very slight and is likely from just handling and showing it to friends.

It's interesting that this one doesn't have the handwritten label on either end of the box that denotes extra features such as "dash" number or whatever.
But this is definitely a "no dash" pistol (just the "66" on the crane).
The serial number is 2K8219*, and I note that others often don't have a number in front of the K in the serial number, but I have no clue when this was made. I only know that I bought it new, but memory does not serve me well as to the year (or even the decade for that matter ).

So here she be:

Attached Images

Model66.jpg (52.0 KB, 89 views)

Fantastic....

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FREEDOM ain't free!

I guess I should finish the story...

The very first handgun I EVER bought was a Model 19 w/6" barrel because when I turned 21 many decades ago, I just had to have a "Combat Magnum" before considering any other pistol. So I bought one, brand new over the counter, at, of all places, Montgomery Wards back when they had gun counters (and still in business).
Still have it and even though fired, it still looks "NIB" with all the paperwork. Now it's just a safe queen.

Fast forward a bit, and when I found out that the Combat Magnum was available in stainless, I knew I had to add to the collection, so I bought this brand new 4" Model 66you see above, and later bought a 2-1/2 snubby Model 66 at a gun show (unfired condition, but no box so the price was right).

So my first handgun ever being a Model 19 led to "the rest of the story" with a couple more 66's being added just because they're so darn purty.

I've got several Pythons and Dan Wessons as well, but there's just something about a K frame being "my first" that makes them more special to me than all the rest.

If a person can't love a K frame Smith, then they should take up a different hobby. Like knitting...

Beautiful early 66, Decker, and a somewhat unusual one at that... An original owner, ANIB, no-dash 66 4" is becoming very rare and one in its original shipped condition, with box, tools, etc., equally uncommon.

Two things on your 66 caught my eye and hopefully Doc 44 can enlighten us all on these issues. I'm the original owner of my no-dash guns as well and that gives us a chance to analyze these guns as they were actually delivered.

About midway through the no-dash Mod. 66 production run S&W changed from all stainless sights to a red ramp with an all black rear sight assembly.

Yours has a Red Ramp with a black blade and a black wind-age adjustment screw but the rest of the sight assembly appears stainless. I've not seen a lower serial numbered (2K range) factory original 66 like yours configured in that manner. I'm wondering if the box label has an indication of these items.

If not, perhaps Doc 44 would provide a clarification or opinion...

Anyway, congratulations on not only making wise choices "back in the day", but keeping them all these years...

Thanks!

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Terry

With S&W anything is possible, but I would guess the blue rear sight blade is a replacement for the original stainless blade. The red ramp may be original or was installed at the time the blade was changed.

If the box in the picture is original, the end label would be marked for a red ramp and may mention the blue rear sight blade as a special feature. If the label does not indicate these features, they are most likely modifications made after the revolver was shipped.

The 66 was probably shipped in the second year, 1972, so all stainless sights were "standard" when it was made.

Bill

If you're referring to my 66 above, the "with S&W, anything is possible" applies because while I don't recall exactly the date I bought the pistol, I do remember that I bought it brand new over-the-counter at a gun store here in Houston (Carter's Country).

It's still exactly as I bought it from the store's "stock", and I do find it interesting that the original box shown never had a stick-on, hand notated label showing the serial number or details of options.
The "label" you do see isn't a label at all, but is printed directly on the end of the box in the same silver color printing as the hash mark border on the box top. There are no other labels or markings on the box anywhere, and no indications at all that there ever was (no torn away area or shadow area; just fresh looking "blue box".

But I know for sure that this wasn't a modified pistol (by me or the store) because it was just one of the regular stock they got in during that time, and 1972 does sound "about right" for when I would have bought it.
I recall handling one that was under the glass counter, and when I said I wanted one, the salesman put that one back and went and got a "fresh" one from stock in a backroom which is the one you see above.

So here we have yet another "S&W anything possible" mystery as to why it is fitted the way it is and why there is no stick-on label on the box.

Fascinating thread, which has made me appreciate my Model 66 more than before. I have the twin to the gun in Doc44's picture, with stainless rear sight and trigger stop.

I wanted one of these when they first were coming out, so I went to my Washington, D.C. dealer to order one. I wanted a round butt, but found that was not available. I was about to leave in connection with a Far East government job for a few years, and only had a short time to wait for the gun. The dealer said he was about to receive one, special ordered for an FBI agent working in Washington, but that I had priority; the other guy could wait awhile.

Well, the 66 came, but due to complexities, I never took it with me; took a 1911A1 instead, because ammo for it would be more easily available where I was going.

I haven't shot the 66 a lot, but it is a really nice revolver, and now I realize it is a less than common variation. Once I contemplated buying round butt grips and modifying the frame for them. Now I'm glad I didn't.

I guess the longer you keep just about any vintage Smith, the more you like it.

What a treasure, Doc!
Thanks for sharing a picture of this beauty.
JP

I recently ran across a 66 at a gun show and had to have it!! Serial 4k511xx. It is 71 i think.it has trigger stop,recessed cyl bores and stainless sights. like new condition with box for 600.00,not a bad deal,i would say!!

New to the forum and have read many post's and am impressed on the knowledge of so many members. I have aquired a S&W model 19-4 357magnum with a 2.5 barrel from my father in law that passed away, the serial number of 28k2978 is on the bottom of the grip, any info such as date of manufacture would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. You should start a new thread, so that more members will have an opportunity to see your question. Unfortunately I can't answer it. Condolences on the passing of your father-n-law.

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Inconsistently consistent

shoe41...Your 19-4 probably dates to 1979.

Bill

I have a all stainless 66 no dash....... 4K86xxx; SCS7W puts it to 74.

Picked it up in 2004 for the then princelly sum of $375 (tag price).

Actually I traded a 581 even up for it, as I found myself with no 4" 19/66s in the safe,(I know I was shocked too) and was feeling the gap in the "collection". I felt the need for something between my 3inch 66 and my 4inch 686s.

EDIT: mine has the trigger stop.

2004-06 were good years for the revolver bug to bite again as many were trading old 6 shooters for them new fangled high-cap 9s again.

I never carried the 581 and I don't think I've ever carried this stainless sighted 66 either. LOL

Sure wish I had that 581 back.....................



Shoe41.....looks like 78/79 in SCS&W 1978 started around 25K001 and 79 ended at 56K999.

Yummy, just yummy!!!!!!!

***GRJ***

I am one of those collectors that tend to shoot too many of the really nice guns. I inherited one some years ago,,,unfired, NIB VERY early 66. It had the stainless sights, and I also found them horrible in use. In sunlight, near impossible. To add insult to injury, when I decided t see how it shoots, limited to a few rounds, I had no problem....after the second round, the cylinder would not turn. The gun locked up tightly. I had to use a rubber and teflon mallet to open the cylinder....I used my most accurate load of 14gr 2400 under a 125gr JHP....nothing noteworthy here! Apparently this was a common problem in the early guns and fixed in the -2....had to due with a gas seal being moved????
I decided to get rid of it...without checking collector value....
Live and learn...

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

That is a beautiful pistol. I had a 66 no dash with the target grips and SS sights nearly identical to the first post. It was a fantastic pistol, but I foolishly sold it, and have regretted it ever since. I've been thinking about picking up a 65 lately, as I think it would be the perfect combination between my 66 and my 10.

I own a Mod. 66-2 w/6" barrel (c.1982) and want to know how popular it is as I don't see too many, if any, of them around.

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"Oooh, where'd that one go??"

The 66 was the best police side arm ever made. When I say that to any police officers younger than 40 they look at me like I'm out of my mind. I think when we started to trend towards the wonder 9's and the latest plastic "spray and pray" autos, we took a big step backwards. And I think it was all in the interest of trying to replace good training with more bullets. All the 9mm, 40 S&W, 45acp misses in the world will never equal one center mass hit with a 125g Federal JHP. And no semi auto (Except for the 1911 perhaps and even that is up for debate) can can point as naturally or deliver on target as smoothly as a tuned, K frame revolver.

After I sold the early no-dash 66, I bought a 6" 66-2 and like it a lot. It points well, feels good, and is a very nice revolver, but not as accurate as my Registered Magnum or PC guns.

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Reliability concerns were the prime factor driving my decision to get rid of my 1911 Auto Ord .45ACP & Sig Sauer P229 .40S/W, and keep only my MOD. 66.
Don't get me wrong. The others were good, as semi-autos go, but their reliability, in my mind at least, couldn't match that of a revolver, especially one such as the MOD. 66.

I'm thinking of making the S&W MOD. 686 4" my next purchase.

That S&W Governor .410 Gauge/.45 Colt/.45 ACP 2.75" Barrel seems like an very interesting weapon, too.

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"Oooh, where'd that one go??"