Models 66 - 2.5”, 4”, and 6” - Class A Engraved

NCBeagle

NCBeagle

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I’d like to learn more about these three revolvers sitting at a local gun shop. They are factory “Class A” engraved. All three have serial numbers that correspond to approximately 1981 production (96K - 114K). The 2.5” and 4” are Model 66-1. The 6” is not pinned, likely a 66-2 and comes with an original but different style box. The engraving style is similar on all three.

Is it part of a special run, set, etc.? Anybody know anything about this? maybe somebody just likes engraved 66 and ordered them this way.

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The three revolvers may have been ordered by a single party as a set, but it is not part of a 3 gun Factory offering

Obviously a Factory Historical letter will yield much more information

You could check with Roy and see if the three pieces share a shipping date and destination
 
What would be the estimated “individual” price for each of the revolvers in todays market values? We don’t get to see these very often. Very impressive!
 
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2K7 said:
What would be the estimated “individual” price for each of the revolvers? We don’t get to see these very often. Very impressive!
Click to expand...


$3800 each or $10,500 for the group. Not sure if that’s appropriate pricing. I am sortnof interested in the 2.5”.


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colt_saa said:
The three revolvers may have been ordered by a single party as a set, but it is not part of a 3 gun Factory offering

Obviously a Factory Historical letter will yield much more information

You could check with Roy and see if the three pieces share a shipping date and destination
Click to expand...


Thanks. Was not sure about the factory offering. I may check with Roy. Not sure how much time I want to put into the inquiry. The 2.5” has my attention. Not a buyer for the others. At the same time, if they were a factory set would not want to break it up. Would also not be a buyer for all three. It’s from an estate, so no opportunity to ask the former owner. I agree with you…factory set unlikely. Particularly since the group spans pinned / unpinned barrel.


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Perhaps RKmesa will be along to comment. In the meantime I'll offer my non-expert assessment. They look like Italian contract guns to me although I'm still learning how to identify those with any certainty. As such I'd think the value is something under $3k. There are some comparable ones sold recently on GB and other sites. As to actual prices paid, I recently bought a 29-2 with complete package (shipping container, box, tools, etc.) with Class B engraving which I'm pretty sure was an Italian contract gun for $2500ish. A letter is unlikely to tell you anything other than when and where originally shipped and that it was factory engraved; likely will not tell you if it was Italian contract or otherwise. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
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That is a fun set. Those patterns are definitely factory patterns. I would agree with Jeff's assessment that at least a couple of them are Italian contract engraved. I would expect prices at an auction to range between $2K and $3K, with the 2.5" being the the most valuable, as those short ones are in fairly high demand.
 
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snw19_357 said:
The 4" is not pinned either. With the recessed cylinder, the 6" is most likely a -1 also.
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You’re absolutely right. Missed that the first time. Took a closer look at them today. The 2.5 is pinned. The others are recessed but not pinned. All are 66–1


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Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but why did S&W contract out engraving to Italian engravers in lieu of a domestic engraving if values of the end result would be diminished overall? Would S&W experts consider these examples of a lesser value? Are the Italian examples considered of lesser quality than domestic engraving? Thanks for your patience…learning!
 
2K7 said:
Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but why did S&W contract out engraving to Italian engravers in lieu of a domestic engraving if values of the end result would be diminished overall? Would S&W experts consider these examples of a lesser value? Are the Italian examples considered of lesser quality than domestic engraving? Thanks for your patience…learning!
Click to expand...
Value of the end result was not diminished

Engraved firearms that were sold by the Factory were one price no matter where they were engraved.

What collectors are willing to pay for a used firearm 30, 40 or more years after it leaves the Factory is not something that can be predicted.

I have never bought a firearm worrying about what it might be worth the day I sell it. I only worry about what it is worth to me on the day I buy it.
 
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2K7 said:
Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but why did S&W contract out engraving to Italian engravers in lieu of a domestic engraving if values of the end result would be diminished overall? Would S&W experts consider these examples of a lesser value? Are the Italian examples considered of lesser quality than domestic engraving? Thanks for your patience…learning!
Click to expand...

I think the decision to use Italian contractors was primarily a cost savings one from the factory's perspective. There were only a few factory engravers at that time and I suppose management had a couple of challenges. If they brought on more full time employees what would those folks do when there were no orders for engraved guns and could they actually find more qualified engravers? I'm sure Doc44 and RKmesa can shed a lot more light on this situation and engraver history.

The factory also outsourced to American engravers who worked independently for S&W, Colt, and probably accepted work from individuals. A well known example of this is Denise Thirion who engraved for S&W, Colt and probably others. Her work, I think, is considered equal to the in house S&W engravers at the time. Here's a 19-4 that is attributed to her. At the time I found this one, the local Cabelas also had a Colt SAA that she had done offered at $12k or so. Most of the time a letter will not confirm who the engraver was but sometimes we get lucky.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nmNrzh https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2nmFU1a https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
 
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colt_saa said:
Value of the end result was not diminished

Engraved firearms that were sold by the Factory were one price no matter where they were engraved.

What collectors are willing to pay for a used firearm 30, 40 or more years after it leaves the Factory is not something that can not be predicted.

"I have never bought a firearm worrying about what it might be worth the day I sell it. I only worry about what it is worth to me on the day I buy it."
Click to expand...


So I am not insane after all! I am just starting to build my collection later in life and when I see one that says "take me home" I make my best deal and home it goes.
 
S&W most likely sent guns out to contract engravers because the in house engravers could not supply the volume of engraved guns required by the Sales Department. The number produced of many models increased significantly in the mid to late 1970s, as did the number of guns to be engraved.

Bill
 
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