So between the 66-2,66-3 & 66-4 variants of the 3" barrel, just how many total were produced?

Ashlands original run of them in 66-2 totalled 4,195. Other distributors had special runs as well. I have yet to ever see anyone provide the total number of 3" 66's S&W produced.

Is it possible anyone can answer this one?

Thanks,

Murphy2000

Go to:

Model 66 three inch - what's the big deal?

Go to page 3. According to Jinks "well over 5,000".

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Dick

Other than Roy Jinks, I don't know who has the answer to your question.

I'm glad you asked though. I was wondering the same thing the last couple of days. There have been a couple of 3 inch 66 threads in the last week that caused me to ponder this.

I was going through my reference materials last night. I found references to 3 inch model 66's being procured for the US Coast Guard, California Bureau of Narcotics (alongside 3 inch nickel model 19's) and unnamed federal agencies. Some of these were 66-3's and 66-4's.

I noticed that those who own 3 inch 66-4's all posted serial number prefix's starting with the letter C. IIRC the first two letters were CB, CA.....can't recall the rest. The reason I found this curious is that my 3 inch 66-4, non ported barrel, has a serial prefix of "BUH". I was led to believe it was part of a run of 515 3 inch 66-4's for RSR around 1996. Problem is the SCSW has this prefix at around 1994.

I also saw mention of a run of 2500 3 inch 66-4's, also non ported, with a product code of 12015, again IIRC.

The Ashland run of 3 inch 66-2's was slightly less than 5000 in two batches. The 3 inch 66-3's were made in a substantial number (based on how many appear on this and other boards as well as the auction sites) and offered for agency sale. I was always told that the 3 inch 66-4's were made in less numbers than the other variants......but I'm no longer sure of that. Then there was also the run of 500 ported barrel 3 inch 66-4's for RSR with the satin finish.

Then we get to the 3 inch 66-5 which was also built for Walther and sold as the R99 La Chasse revolver. There were several variations in the 3 inch 66-5 model. There were some which had a very similar barrel profile to the 3 inch barrel used on the 3 inch 66-4's. That is to say the sight ramp base ran up to the frame. Then there were other 3 inch 66-5's which had a heavy barrel (drain pipe ) with the sight ramp not approaching the frame. I've also seen photos of a 3 inch 66-5 from the late great member here Mr Chuck Lubbe, that had the earlier barrel profile with a polished finish and old style cylinder stop vice the integral frame bolster.

We haven't even touched on the slightly over 3 inch 66-5's with blue cylinder or the R99 La Chasse production overruns.

So I guess barring some input from some of the SWCA folks or Mr Jinks himself, one has their work cut out for them in trying to determine exactly how many 3 inch 66's were made.

I think I will start another thread on 3 inch 66 agency use and see if it garners us any more info on agency orders. Regards 18DAI

18DAI, I also have a 3 inch 66-4 with the BUH prefix. Mine is non-ported, with the sight ramp running all the way to the frame. The only distinguishing feature about mine is it is double action only with a bobbed hammer. Hammer and trigger are both case hardened. It appears to be factory, but I do not know as I am not the original owner.

I had a gentleman look at mine once who had a notebook with a bunch of information written in it. After examining it he told me he thought it was one of a run of 12 that was made for the New York City Transit Police in double action only. It has no markings from any agency. I suppose I should get it lettered to see if Roy can enlighten me.

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Expect no quarter.

dai,i have a 3 inch 66-2 that has a ALU prefix. a couple of the expert commentators here on the forum pm'd me.they have never seen a alu prefix 66-2 3 inch.the serial number is under 3000

357larry that is a very interesting 3 inch 66-4. I would letter that one for sure.

twomoons, I'm no expert, but IIRC doesn't the SCSW list the ALU prefix in describing the Ashland 3 inch 66-2 order?

I'm pretty sure we have seen ALU prefix 3 inch 66's here, owned by members. Interesting. My 3 inch 66-2 Ashland gun is an AHL prefix. Regards 18DAI

I don't see nearly the interest in 3-inch 66s that there seems to be in 3-inch 19s. Tracking an exact number down would seem pretty tough. It sounds like Mr. Jinks has let it go at "over 5000" and getting him to devote much time to the matter wouldn't appear too likely.

They are nice guns though. I have one of the original 66-2 Ashland guns (ANA-serial number) and had a 66-3 in the BNC-serial number range. At one time I thought they were some kind of great leap forward, since I was never fond of the 2.5-inch guns. These days, I like think I can get along with the 4-inch versions just as well... but am in no hurry to be rid of the ANA-numbered gun.

I've been reading through some of the posts. I actually found the site by searching google for mod. 66-3's. I carried a Smith in the 70's, model 66 4". Then went to a .45 because I could and had used one in the service.
Anyway, I recently came into posession of a model 66-3. It has a 3 inch bbl. white outline, RR. smooth trigger. The top is not polished, having a rough finish. I thought it was a 2 1/2" until I saw the ejector rod. The grips are very nice smooth wood with S&W logos, varnished. They look perfect.
The box shows the serial number as BBT 0072 and that is on the butt. The crane has other numbers on it. There are no ports. The box is marked 3" , RB stock, RR, WO. There is no paperwork, just the wax paper. I saw I can get paperwork on eBay for about 15 bucks.
My question is could this be a Lew Horton gun?? I have the Standard cat. Of Smith and Wesson, also the Bluebook, but can find no reference at all to what I am looking for.
I am not a collector, just a typical shooter on the weekends. Now retired I have plenty of time to shoot. This gun is pristine, with not even burnt powder on the cylinder front.
Any ideas?? One more observation, there is more knowledge on this web site, than I have seen on any other. (I only belong to 3)
Lots of enthusiasm too.
Thanks people in advance!

Jack

My (old) 3" 66-3 is BBT00xx too.

I hadn't seen one in that range before either.

Been tryin to read this thread but all these letters are giving me a headache.
Please, feel free to PM me some numbers to go with them. I'll happily add them to my growing list of 3" 66's

Here's the ranges I have seen the 3" 66's in and I know I have missed a few. bold means bunch of them

66-2 - ADH, AFK, AFZ, AHJ, AHL, ANA, ANB, and ALU
66-3 - BBN, BBT, BBU, BBZ, BEE, BFK, BPR, and PCP
66-4 - BPZ, BRS, BSM, BSN, BUH, CAA, CAL, CAT, CAU, CBB, CBC, CCF, and CCN
66-5 - CDB, CDR, CEC .......... 3.25" - CEF, CEL, CFB
66-6 - FCP

66-3 BEE05xx left the factory in October 1989...add it to the bunch.

Chris I have BBT 18xx 3" 66-3 for your records.

Box in background is for a model 15


chuck

__________________
They hold no Quarter

Let me add to your list with the serials from my two examples that I bought new in Nov 1988 and Mar 1989. M66-3 BBN9106, and M66-3 BBT0027. At the time I thought that I needed a spare in case one wears out, but it hasn't happened yet.
Timbo

my 66-4 3" sn# CCM 41xx

This has been the most information on the 3" Model 66's I've been able to find to date.

My 66-4 3" starts with a B prefix as well. I'm not sure if the combats that came on it are original to the gun but they are dated 1992 on the inside.

Thanks and lets see if others chime in, hopefully we'll get a ball park figure.

Thanks,

Murphy2000

i just checked my 66-2,3 in.,it's ser. afz40xx

My 66-4 has a CAL prefix.

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snw19 357,

Add another to the list.

My 66-4 3" is serial #BPY30XX

Murphy2000

Yeah, I'm embarrassed to admit that although I love all Combat Magnums, I am snw19_357 and not snwCM_357 or snw66_357.
I do tend to see the Model 66 less than I do M19s.

The high B's and early C's are an interesting time so I'd love to share info.

Mine is BBN82XX product code 102712...........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Reconjack, when I bought mine used it had the same grips as yours but mine were rosewood. I have not noticed if the grips are stamped with anything on the inside. When I get home I will take a look. My guess is they were add ons.

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Expect no quarter.

i am with 18 dai.for some reason,i like the 66-4 guns the best.i know there are some visual diffrences,like the inletted rear sight,but of the 20 or so model 66 3 inch guns i have handled,i would take a 66-4.they feel and sound better to me.i know thats pretty mundane,and not very factual,as far as a good reason,i just like them the best of the 66 3 inch guns.but they bring a couple hundred less on the auction sites

Yes, I guess they are pretty large, I wish I had the original, grips...

Add 66-5 with CDCxxxx serial number

18DAI,
It was ordered on offical letterhead by former AR state trooper who traded it to local PD office at Pine Bluff whom i got it from. Sorry no box it was not a safe queen.
Hope that helps.
tbird

18DAI ,
Sorry forgot to add AR troopers at the were issued 66's and allowed to order at LEO prices on letterhead at time.
tbird

Thanks Tbird!

Nice.

What's the Spec Ord number on yours?

Spec Ord is 0167

June 16th 1990 - I didn't even know what a spec ord was until you asked - thanks, I learned something today.

You're welcome. So did I.

Since this seems to be sort of a catalog record of them I will show my 66-3 again. Its a 1 of 300 made for lew horton. serial # is 088 and elsewhere is PCP 0141.
Mine differs from the ad as the stocks are wood. I seen another right after I bought mine with the same wood but that one also had a diamound ivory inlay.

Yours is a 66-3? It looks to have the new style rear sight leaf.

Here's a picture of mine. It has been given a matte finish and fitted for moon clips.

My 3 inch 66-2 is prefix ANB61XX

My 66 - 3 3" has serial # BBN91xx. According to S&W CS, it was made in October, 1988. I bought it in a local gun shop, and it doesn't have a box or papers.

Yes, I just pulled it out to double check and its a 66-3 stamped in the frame.

I have AFZ 34xx, spec order 5113. Hope this helps.

Tom

Pulled my 3" 66-3 out of the safe a little while ago; it's serial number BEA4***. It has the non-pinned front ramp sight.

Like others have said, this one was mis-marked as a 2.5" (and mis-priced) at a local Bay Area gun shop.

--Neill

Really? It's not just very difficult to see?

So I drug it back out of the safe today (got all the Mothers' Day dishes done first...) and took a few pictures. Here is one of the front sight, which looks like it is indeed pinned!...



...however, in looking closely, I was reminded of a different discussion thread about the barrel-to-frame matchup of these guns. This one has a visible gap between the shroud and frame:



...it looks larger than it is (I can't get an .0015" feeler gauge in there anywhere) but I got to looking more closely at the gun --- man the barrel-to-frame fit is .. not nearly as neat as the fit on any of my other K-frame magnums.

Couple of other pics showing the fitment -- it's not something I'd ever really noticed before.

--Neill

It looks like it says B2. And then 38947.

It's a 3in 66-2

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Take the grips off and the serial numberia always on the butt for smiths

__________________
Gun Control= Using Both Hands

I inherited a 66-3 confirmed May 1988 (By S&W customer service) 3" barrel serial # BBT 57XX and I am wondering what the value may be in today's market?

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~Amor Fati

My 2 1/2" has BFPxxxx
it is not pinned or recessed. I had a 66 in mid 70's, so had to get another...have a 637 & a 629 8 3/8" to go with it....

I just got my two newest home, and my 66-4 3 inch is serial range CAU, product code 102715, Spec. Ord. 6069, finish S, stock SB, features MAG-NA-PORT. I don't understand the SB under stock, it is a round butt, but in SCSW it lists black blade front sight-1994 also for SB, but why under stock.
Here is a picture of them together, I will post better pics later when I have time.

My 66-3 has serial #BFK07XX and product code 102712. I'm waiting for delivery of a 66-4 with serial #CALxxxx. I won't have any more information until I receive it.

Thanks to a gentleman from this forum, I just got my second model 66 with a 3 inch barrel. This one has been fired, but in great shape - No box though, so what is the DOM for a CAA7XX S/N? Around 1994?

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Did you buy the one that was on FloridaGunTrader in Jacksonville for like 5 minutes today?

Yes, that was me...

66-4 3 inch on the left and 2 66-3 3 inchers.

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