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.

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'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.

I have a 66-4 (3" barrel) with the ser # CCF43XX.

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

My 66-4 has a CAL prefix.

Attached Images

DSC04571.jpg (85.2 KB, 239 views)

Does yours have the pinned ramp like WardenRoss'?

Seems the BBT's had one piece and the BEE's I have seen are pinned.

snw19 357, my 66-4 3 inch ser# is CBZ37xx it has case trigger and hammer ,rr bought as trade in from pd in state has a few scratches but hey so do I.

snw19 357,

Add another to the list.

My 66-4 3" is serial #BPY30XX

Murphy2000

snw19_357, for some time i've taken notes on 3" 66s sold on GB and elsewhere.
One of them, a 66-4, has a prefix not on your list....BSF81XX

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

Yes, it is pinned. Oddly enough I have a 19-3 2 1/2" (1974), a 66-1 2 1/2" (1980), a 66-3 2 1/2" (1989) and a 686-1 2 1/2" (1987) and the only pinned ramp is on the 3" 66-3 (1989). Go figure! I have no idea why...

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

Box in background is for a model 15


chuck

__________________
They hold no Quarter

sw19_357 that is some fabulous information! Thank you for sharing it with us!! Regards 18DAI

Since we are talking about 3" and serial numbers, has anyone collected any info on how these guns left the factory. I am wondering if these grips are custom add ons, or were put on at the factory?? It is a bad picture but the logo is S&W.
Again as always thank you for your time and knowledge!

Jack

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...

Sorry to bring this one out again, my 3" Model 66 (no dash) I found/bought a couple of years ago came with the same type of factory combat grips your gun has. I have since replaced the grips with special Keith Brown hideout grips. This is in the 6K33XXX serial number range (1974 MFG) I have not been able to find out much information on this gun, so it remains a mystery. But it is what it it is.

I know, it'll drive you nuts. Just wait until you see a 1966 2.5" M19-2 with a one piece front sight and a 1971 4" M19-3 with a pinned ramp.

Jack, I try to document as many things as possible. Just ask any member that's endured my questions.

It is hard to say for certain without a historical letter from Mr. Roy Jinks but...
If the product code is 102712 and you can't read the serial number without removing the stocks, they may have been added after it left S&W.

---

I never grow tired of that 3" M66, Model39!!

tbird - What state and which agency issued the 3 inch 66-4, if you know? I had another thread going trying to determine/confirm which agencies ordered these revolvers. There is some indications that more then one LE agency ordered quite a few.

Would those of you who still have your 3 inch 66 boxes, please post your special order number (julian date code) so we have more of an idea as to when these guns were produced, than is provided by the SCSW. Please include the dash and serial too, if you would. Thanks! Regards 18DAI

No need to be sorry about that - except you didn't show us a pic with the KB stocks in place.

I have a friend who has long since mustered out and gone on to other things. He went to the S&W armorer's classes and was a fair hand with the minor revolver work that he did for his department. I used to bug him to get a 3-inch barrel for my Model 66, on the theory that a square-butt gun would suit me better. He was never able to get S&W to ship him a barrel, and he always told me it was silly to change a barrel just to get one 1-inch shorter.

I suppose that is about how your gun came to pass, don't you? Probably started life as a 2.5-inch gun and someone added the barrel and the target parts to make just what they wanted. In any case, it is a great looking gun and certainly something I have never seen before.

18DAI,

Here's (some of) the ones I have found on auction sites, etc. [not owned by members (at that time )]:

66-2..AFZ34xx..5113
66-2..AFZ4585..5120
66-2..AHJ13xx..5113
66-2..AHL3268..5119
66-2..AHL3655..5120
66-2..AHL8898..5108
66-2..ANA7994..6080

66-3..BBN8836..8300
66-3..BBN8868..8293
66-3..BBN9284..8295
66-3..BEE0636..9271
66-3..BEE0637..9269
66-3..BEF31xx..0167
66-3..BFK0836..0181
66-3..BNE2521..2168

66-4..CBB9607..6142
66-4..CCN14xx..8040
66-4..CCN4213..8043

Thank you snw19_357!! Much appreciated! Regards 18DAI

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!

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

I have a 66-3 BEF31XX, NIB from Ashland around 1991.

Attached Images

S&W 66-3 3 Inch.jpg (24.9 KB, 162 views)

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.

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.

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