* Statistics interpolated from Dr. Roy Jinks book, History of Smith & Wesson

** Inferences I make about the third production run come from my observations.

S&W produced 39 stainless steel Model 60s by the end of the summer of 1965. Consistent with the company’s J-frame introduction in 1950, S&W introduced the .38 Chiefs Special Model 60 at the 72nd annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in October 1965. I’ve not seen one of the first 39 Model 60s.

The second Model 60 run, where parts also had a bright polished stainless steel finish, produced 897 revolvers. From the left, the first Model 60 in the photo is from that run, and it shipped in March ‘66.

Jinks said, “… the hammers and triggers were not sufficiently hardened,” so the third run’s hammers and triggers were “case hardened producing a dark finish.” During the third run the bright polished finish changed to a satin finish. Also during this run the process for hammers and triggers changed from case hardened to a heat treated then flash chromed stainless steel, which became the standard for future production runs. The second Model 60 in the photo has the satin finish and case hardened hammer and trigger; it shipped in November ’66. I’ve seen examples from this run with the bright polished finish and case hardened hammer and trigger and others with the satin finish and flash chromed hammer and trigger. There were 5,000 Model 60s in this run.

The fourth run produced 1,504 Model 60s with the standard satin finish and flash chromed hammer and trigger. The third Model 60 in the photo shows the 35th serial number in the fourth run, shipped in March ’68.

Fifth and subsequent runs also had the standard satin finish and hard chromed hammer and trigger. My example from the fifth run (1 of 4,000) still sports the diamond grips, shipped in January ’69. My sixth run’s example (1 of 6,550) does not have diamond grips, and it shipped in August ’68.

Jinks has been quoted as saying the Carpenter Steel Company logo on the box end labels of those early Model 60s was “the first use of another company’s logo on a Smith & Wesson product.”

The boxes for my Chiefs from the second and fourth production runs have the original Carpenter Steel Company logo, and the box from my sixth production run Model 60 has the second version of the logo, with the text, “made to serve you better.” The box for my fifth production run Model 60 does not wear the logo.

The seventh and eighth production runs produced 3,000 and 250 Model 60s, still in the original Chiefs Special serial number series.

The R-prefix serial number for the Model 60 began at R1 in 1969.

Thanks for letting me indulge in and share my passion. Let’s see your early stainless Chiefs.

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	'60s Model 60 evolution.jpg (141.7 KB, 134 views)
	410010 box end label (2).jpg (39.4 KB, 51 views)
	CSC ii.jpg (31.5 KB, 36 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I had contact with a S&W armorers school instructor in December 2021.
While monitoring the class the instructor possed a question about S&W first use of MIM parts.
I spoke up and advised I had gone through the armorers school in 1979 and no mention then.
The instructor advised S&W experimented with MIM in early 1970s with triggers for model 60 revolvers.
This is my model 60 R247XXX shipped June 1980.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

1968 (Pre-R serial number).

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IMG_4291.jpg (106.0 KB, 265 views)

Mine is from 1980

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S&W model 60.jpg (78.2 KB, 34 views)

Mine is a pre R with a SN 6558xx. two-bit cowboy sent me a PM and described it being from the seventh production run, according to Jinks' book. Serial numbers ran from 655001-658000 in '68/'69.

Thanks for the info, two-bit cowboy.

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IMG_0986.jpg (115.2 KB, 31 views)

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Inconsistently consistent

Mdl.60 are nice
Dick
Top 1965 ser.# 409818
Bottom 1966 ?? ser.# 478891

two-bit cowboy:

Thanks for the history narrative and the pictures of your Model 60 revolvers. A Model 60 was the second handgun I ever bought, back in 1973. Sold it in the 80s to a fellow patrolman. Wish I had it back. I sure do love my j-frames! Thanks for sharing yours!

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FBINA, 204th Session

Mine is 515xxx.
It was the first Stainless Revolver I ever saw, bought it on the spot!
The box has the Stainless Steel sticker without the comment.

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D15B1617-BAC4-4EAF-9D02-9ACD3630925A.jpg (103.0 KB, 28 views)

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

My old standby Model 60 is R138XXX. I bought it used in about '74. Lower right in this photo with Bianchi Lawman shrouded grips on it.

Not old ones just variations of the model 60!







jcelect

This thread makes it clear to me that I need a Mod. 60..... (Now, which one..?)

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NRA Endowment Member

Mine is from late 1983, courtesy of Naragansett. Early three letter, plus number, version. I have several j's - this is my favorite. The oversize grips are for show - when in the holster it wears Hogues.

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60 no dash.jpg (136.5 KB, 24 views)

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Heavily armed old man.

Just "one"?

As jcelect's collection shows, the options are many. I don't think you can go wrong, no matter which one you choose.

Best of luck with your decision.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Great info. Thanks for sharing.