Question: The Smith & Wesson Logo

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Rogue12153

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Just recently I purchased a Mod 66-1 that I intend to use as my daily conceal carry weapon...have already installed some Hogue rubber grips and have ordered a custom made slide belt holster for it. I like the idea that a 31 year firearm is going to get a renewed life and some new accessories.

But...I've been reading past posts here in this forum and looking at photos of everyone elses guns. One thing I've noticed is the location and size of the S&W logo that is engraved into every revolver. Some have a large logo engraved into the right side of the firearm and some have a smaller version engraved under the cylinder release on the left side of the gun. I can see not rhyme or reason to the difference and was wondering why S&W would change the location and size of the logo from gun to gun? Anyone have any idea?

Thanks in advance...
Michael
 
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Reason for this was to leave space for special engraving/logos on "presentation" guns.
Like the Thunder Ranch ones with the gold logo there.
 
The logo appears small and on the left on my 1929 vintage revolver. Later guns are on the right for the most part. Factory engraved later models tend to have the logo on the left to leave the side plate open for engraving. Bottom line: The location and size of the logo varies from year to year and model to model. I am sure the experts can explain what has what and where but I am no expert and the logo means nothing to me in terms of shooting the guns so I tend to not concern myself with such trivia.
 
Beginning around roughly 1981/82, S&W moved the logo from the coverplate on the right side of the weapon to the left side under the cylinder release. This coincided with a change in model numbers for most, but not all revolvers. IE: 66-2, 19-5, 29-3, 27-3. But not all, like model 10-8's, 686/586/681/581, etc

As mentioned, the supposed reason was so people could put logos on the cover plate. Since so few people did this, I think it was a pretty dumb reason. I prefer the bigger logon on the coverplate.

I have a 66-5 which somehow never got the logo on either side.
 
Last edited:
There were also a few years (late 1910s to about 1923) with no frame logo. The company figured out this was bad marketing, but it took a few years.
 
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