What can you tell me about this Model 60-1 3" Heavy Barrel?

It's NIB with serial number R570XX. It's said to have been made in 1975 and that it's 1 of 171 manufactured.

Attached Images

	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl .38 Spl s.JPG (85.1 KB, 648 views)
	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl .38 Spl s.JPG (96.8 KB, 545 views)
	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl .38 Spl Brl s.JPG (74.0 KB, 442 views)

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Dave
SWCA #2465

Nice gun, a guy at work had one like it, used it as an off duty gun for years.

All I can tell you about it is that................I want one!

That's a fine looking M60-1. I have a 60 no dash 1 7/8" bbl... they're fine pieces. Based on my research and comments from various threads here on the forum, though, it's strictly a .38 Special.

I have never encountered one of those for sale. I did buy one of the later, non-pinned barrel 3 inchers made for John Jovino, Inc. in 1984. There were supposedly 5,000 of those made. I still have it. It looks just like yours except for the lack of a barrel pin.

That is my grail revolver for backpacking & woods use !!!! Great find. enjoy !!!

I was under the impression that S&W started standard production runs of the M60 3" Heavy Barrel revolvers a few years after the first 171 were manufactured and that there are several thousand out there somewhere.

What is the value of this NIB 1 of 171 revolver?

Attached Images

	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl Backstrap.JPG (126.7 KB, 220 views)
	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl Muzzle End.JPG (141.2 KB, 247 views)
	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl Model Stamp.JPG (95.2 KB, 231 views)
	M60-1 3 inch Heavy Brl SGN 3.JPG (218.2 KB, 282 views)

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Dave
SWCA #2465

I don't remember any 'regular production' for a 3 inch heavy barrel Model 60 until the late 1980's or early 1990's. The 3 inch HB's were notable whenever S&W made some back then, the Jovino's, then the target-sighted M-60's with the full underlug barrels were a fairly big deal. Folks who wanted 3 inch J frame .38's usually had to settle for M-36's and -37's or find one of the small supply of -60's on the secondary market.

I don't know what your M-60 would be worth. It's a scarce gun. The more common, more recent Jovino 3 inchers often sell for over $500 unfired with box and papers. I guess it would depend on how much a collector wanted to plug a hole, as shooters probably would go a less costly route for a plinker or carry gun.

Just how rare are 3" Heavy Barrel, square butt, fixed sight, Model 60s?

Let's see pictures of yours. Please include serial numbers.

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Dave
SWCA #2465

You have the ID correct. They come up for sale very infrequently, so no good estimates based on current market value; a model 60 collector may pay a premium, but as others mentioned other 3" versions were made. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Can anyone tell me what this M60 is worth?

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Dave
SWCA #2465

My dad bought one of the Jovino guns when they came out in the mid 80s, he really liked the look of the 3" HB. He then bought a used mdl 60-4, after I bought mine, in about '96 and sold the Jovino gun to my best friend, as his first gun. When my sister moved to GA, my dad's 60-4 went with her, along with his 63. About 3 years ago, I picked up a 80s vintage 3" HB 60 off of a forum member, because my friend didn't want to part with the one that my dad sold him 15 years ago. Last summer my dad convinced me to let him "hold on to" my 3" 60 because I have more J frame 38s than one person needs. -------- So it has just been a vicious circle with 3" mdl 60s in my family.

Here is a pic of my 3" mdl 60 that my dad is holding on to. I think I got into this one for $450 shipped. Maybe a little high, but I got it from a " looking for " ad on the forum, so it's a little hard to haggle, when someone has exactly what you asked for.

Based on absolutely no data, I would guess $500. This guess and $3.34 will buy a tall nonfat soy latte at Starbucks .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Gentlemen, I remain confused.

There were 171 first S&W production run 3" Heavy Barrel, square butt, pinned barrel Model 60-1 guns made in the early 70's. I'm told Jovino had 5000(?) similar designed non-pinned guns produced in the late 80's. To me comparing the two is similar to comparing a S&W Pre-Model 29 to a Lew Horton special run .44. What am I missing?

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Dave
SWCA #2465

I don't think "rare" is the right word, probably "scarce" is better. I have have found two at gunshops in the last 5 years, bought them both, and sold them both. I never paid over $400 plus tax, and trying to sell the last one was a real effort.

When you ask "What am I missing?", here is the answer: I have said on this forum before, and a few will disagree, but scarce J frames do not come anywhere close to commanding the same prices as equally scarce K and N frames.

I know, because I have owned a bunch of scarce ones, including the 60-1 with adj. sights, a 3" Model 640, a Model 042, a 3" RB Model 60, a 2" Model 63, the two 3" SB Model 60's referenced above, etc. You gun is worth a premium over the 3" SB guns I found because of condition, box, pinned barrel, etc., but it is still probably a number that you might find disappointing. Here's two pictures I found in my archive, but I can't say for sure if these are the two different guns I have found or one gun with different grips.

stiab,

Thanks for your insight.

I don't think "rare" is the right word, probably "scarce" is better. I have have found two at gunshops in the last 5 years, bought them both, and sold them both. I never paid over $400 plus tax, and trying to sell the last one was a real effort.

To clarify your statment; You have bought two of the 171 first production run M60-1 guns for $400 plus tax and had a hard time selling the last one.


When you ask "What am I missing?", here is the answer: I have said on this forum before, and a few will disagree, but scarce J frames do not come anywhere close to commanding the same prices as equally scarce K and N frames.

I agree and am well aware of the differences in pricing. I'm also aware that some view the gun as a "shooter" while others like me consider it a collector's item.


I know, because I have owned a bunch of scarce ones, including the 60-1 with adj. sights, a 3" Model 640, a Model 042, a 3" RB Model 60, a 2" Model 63, the two 3" SB Model 60's referenced above, etc. You gun is worth a premium over the 3" SB guns I found because of condition, box, pinned barrel, etc., but it is still probably a number that you might find disappointing.

Thanks again, I continue to view the NIB 60-1 as a 1 of 171 collector's piece, and will be returning it to safe queen status.

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Dave
SWCA #2465

Nope, that's not what you asked. You didn't say how many other 60-1's are out there, you said: "Just how rare are 3" Heavy Barrel, square butt, fixed sight, Model 60s?", without limitation to the 60-1. Also, later on in my post I stated that yours had a premium in value over my two because yours was pinned, etc.

Here's what I have learned about J frames since I bought my first M60 in 1971, when they were available only frorm police supply houses: the value to most people for J frames is that they are small and light and easily concealable. When you start making changes from the basic 1 7/8" round butt model, by making it a 3" barrel, or square butt, or adding adjustable sights, the value for being small and light and concealable is decreased. Some folks like you and me and others on this forum are real fond of the variations, but not the general using public.

The M60-1 with adj. sights for example will not fit in many regular J frame holsters. It's harder to find Pachmayrs for SB J frames than RB J frames, etc.

You have a very nice gun, and if it was mine I would be as proud of it as your are. I think the safe is a great place for it.

I dont know how much it is worth, but I would love to have one!

Just found your thread, here you go: Model 60-1, 3" HB, pinned bbl, serial #R571xx, NIB, unfired, all papers and tool, original owner to me, Mfg. 1973-74 , does this make it a 1 of 171 ? if anyone knows please chime in ! I will post a better picture next.

Better pictures, Jovino Gun ?

one more R571xx

This is one of the same run of 171 guns about which S & W HE originally inquired - note the pinned barrel. In the past 5 months I have not seen another of this variation sell, so its value would still be somewhat of a mystery. It would be worth a premium to a model 60 collector, but how much would be the question.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

How common are the 36-1s in nickel? Stainless is practicle, nickel is pretty.

Lee Jones(Celtgun)

those are some sexy m-60's, it's giving me the "I got to have it's" I need a stable mate for the one that ride's in my pocket!

To clarify....the Jovino run of Square butt 2" and 3" guns were "1,000 units, with the majority the 3" HB configuration". That from Mr. Jinks.


FN in MT

Ha, I can't even find a three inch Model 36 anywhere around me. A stainless model 60??? I didn't even know they existed.

To clarify....the Jovino run of Square butt 2" and 3" guns were "1,000 units, with the majority the 3" HB configuration". That from Mr. Jinks.


FN in MT
Like __________________
SWCA #2428
My question on these 1000 units is were they the pinned or unpinned bbl, big difference from 171 or 1000. Thanks

There is a lot of very good information that has already been shared . . . but there also seems to be questions that remain. Let me add what I can to the discussion on the 3” heavy barrel Model 60-1 and the later 3” Model 60.

The 172 pinned 3” heavy barrel Model 60-1s were assembled and shipped in 1978 from parts produced and serial numbered in 1972. The serial number range – as published in the SCSW (3rd) – is R56962 to R57239. The barrel and rib is very similar to that of the Model 36-1 that was introduced in 1966 and may account for the -1 suffix assigned to this Model 60. Their value is obviously influenced by their small quantity and (to a lesser extent) by its pinned barrel. We don’t see many of these sell but would expect collector-grade NIB examples to sell in the $700 to $800 range.

The special run of 3” heavy barrel Model 60s (not sure why the factory dropped the -1) was requested by NY S&W Distributor John Jovino in 1984. It’s also my understanding that the majority of the 1,000 in the Jovino special run were 3” but we don’t know if that means 600, 700, 800 or 900. These occasionally come up for sale in the $500 to $600 range for an excellent example.

Am not aware of any cataloged (standard production) 3” model 60 until 1990 when the 60-4 full-lug, target version was introduced.

I mentioned the pinned barrel rib of the 60-1 was similar to that of the 36-1. The 1984 Jovino Model 60 run of non-pinned 3” heavy barrels has a slightly raised base for the front sight . . . a feature which was continued in the 1994 vintage 3” heavy Model 640.

For comparison, I’ve shown all four in the two attached photos . . . back to front and left to right are the 36-1, 60-1, 60 and 640.





As you might be able to tell . . . I’m a big fan of the 3” heavy barrel J-frames.

Russ

Perfect ! You have filled the gaps in this mini research project for me as well as others ! I feel very confident and assured that my 60-1 is one of 172 produced. When you mention that they were mfgd. with the 1972 parts in 1978 that "hit the nail on the head" for me. The tear off section of the warranty card which came with the gun,box,cleaning tool,papers ect. shows date of sale as : 7-11-78 in Sacramento California,a store named "Cake-Davis". The detached portion must have been mailed to S&W at the time of original purchase as the writting looks to have been done by very neatly probably by the salesperson? Thank you for your input here, and nice pictures showing the details of the variants of the 60-1. Is your pinned 60-1 unfired by chance? Beasr regards !

Also I forgot to ask, are the 172 production 60-1 John Jovino ?

No, they were not.

Russ

Thanks, so that leads me to another question, which would be more collectible, the Jovino or the 1 of 172 ?

Also forgot to ask that if one had pinned model 60 or 60-1 that it would not be a Jovino run. Thanks again

Collectibility is in the eyes of the beholder . . . and areas of collecting interest vary widely.

No way to answer that. John Jovino was a major S&W Distributor and likely ordered and sold many model 60s over the years . . . both pinned and non-pinned.

It is entirely possible Jovino was one of the select Dealers to be allocated one or more of the 172 3" model 60-1s produced in 1978 . . . but they were not a special run produced exclusively for sale by Jovino. The S&W factory was simply turning a batch of parts into salable firearms . . . and possibly doing a little market research in the process.

Russ

This is all good info, I just noticed this thread started back in July 11' and now it is churning out info for everyone months latter. Thanks much to all !

Definitely a CTG.....I saw it on the barrel.

what does the CTG relate to in these. I think it means cartridge, but was it from a certain time period ?

I have the same gun only in blue (M36 3" bbl.) It shoots like a dream and because it has a square butt it is much more recoil friendly when shooting the hot loads.

I have to admit though, as much as I like it I don't really carry it because I find the 3" bb. a bit more cumbersome and I do not consider it a pocket carry candidate. I suppose if one were to carry in a OWB holster that it would be a very nice package to carry. All in all, a very nice revolver.

Chief38

Just the standard S & W stamped abbreviation for cartridge. There's a current thread about this as a joke...

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Hey S&W HE
Here's another one of the 171 guns!

Hey linde
Thanks for the pic comparing the 3" guns! You will notice the front sight of the earlier guns(171) has a slightly different configuration(more rounded front) than the later guns. All of these early guns I have seen had this type of front sight!
jcelect

Question: is it 171 or 172 produced ? Seems there is reference to both. Thanks ~!

Yes, indeed . . . the early ones, including the early 36-1, have a full radius on the front edge of the sight blade . . . not sure why they changed it.

Even though 171 is the most widely published and generally accepted number, I believe 172 is correct. Don't believe it matters much . . . unless there's someone out there trying to collect them all

Russ

Thank you Russ, for the info, just wondering