642 special order 3 inch stainless airweight

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calapooia

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I have a 642 3" that is like new in the box. (No thank you,It is not for sale). Anyway it appears it may be a special order revolver. Serial # is BFV87xX , product code is 103798, Spec.ord. 0355. . Any information about this revolver would be helpful. An approx. value would be nice also. I tired to attach some photo's.
Thank you
 

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Here is my only 3" airweight. A 37-0.

Not a lot of 3" airweights out there.

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Ship date code says....

December 21, 1990.

Which is normal date for that s/n prefix. The product code is not one I've seen before. The 3-inch fixed sight barrel is very uncommon on a Centennial Airweight. Normally you see those on the steel framed J's.

I think it's a great combo. Long barrel, extended sight radius, light frame. An accurate, easy to shoot, light weight gun. If it were mine I'd definitely use it for pocket carry.
 
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First, I'll say that the 3" 642 you posted is really cool. I want to find one. Great package. Also, I note that its finish is not like the modern production 642. It looks a lot more like the clear anodizing characteristic of the limited production (about 500 each) of the 638 (no dash) and 637 (no dash), boh uncatalogued runs for Ellett Brothers in 1989.

Just so happens that I've got one of each...

See what I mean about the finish?





 
Your revolver was one of a very short run and is documented in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

It is, in my opinion, one of the very best compilations of size, barrel length, finish, and in a caliber suitable for defense. What commonly goes unnoticed is the S&W logo on both sides of the frame along with the excellent finished frame unlike the more recent ones with flaking issues.

I refrain from shooting anything other than standard pressure .38 Special loads (Winchester Defense) as there has been too many reports of aluminum frame revolvers splitting just under the barrel. (If you examine yours carefully in that area, you will see the frame is very thin there).

With that said, they are wonderful shooting revolvers and like you, mine has a permanent home.
 
Yes, the faux grips were on it when it came to live with me. I have never shot it,and do not plan too. Would like to know how many were made in the limited production run.
 
Really neat 642! My guess is that it shipped with extended Uncle Mikes rubber boot grips. I say this because I have one of the Mod.640s built using leftover 3" Airweight barrels and those were factory on it. The 640 3" with the Airweight marked barrel also had a special product code.
 
I think the grips might have come with it because it was a special order piece and because of the S&W circle grip enlay (can't think of what it's called). Anyway I hope they were factory.
 
I doubt those are the original grips unless it is a distributor special run gun. The three inch 640 I had came with three finger Uncle Mikes combat grips. It was a "BKK" 1992 gun.
 
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