Finally a model 63 2inch

I have been looking for a 2 inch 63 for something like 10 years, but we do not see 63’s with 2 inch barrels very often here in Europe. The ones that popped up were not really exactly what I wanted, or if they were, the auction was won by someone prepared to give more €€€ (closing bid around 6/700 €).

Last week I fell into a 63-3 2inch auction (seller stated the gun came from a collector), with the front sight and the new type of thumbpiece I prefer, with an opening bid of 100 € (about 106 $). No box or papers, but I buy guns for the gun and not for the papers and boxes that end up untouched for years in a cupboard, collecting dust . This time I was very determined this one would be mine and I was prepared to go up to 700 € (considering even more if ...). I placed my maximum bid at that amount 30 seconds before the auction ended, which was at 168 € at that exact moment. 25 seconds later I won the auction at 286 € (303 $). You can imagine the mood I was in. The seller will however only be able to send me serial number and more detailed pictures second half of October, so I have to be patient till then.

Now to my questions (please see attached pictures).
1. I think this is indeed a 63-3, but does that confirm to you too ?
2. The 63-3 was made between 1989 and 1998 according to the SWSC, but with different minor changes : 2 inch models seem to have started in 1992 only with round butt, Uncle Mike’s grips starting from 1994, and new thumbpiece (the one I prefer) starting from 1997. If that’s true, then the original owner (collector ?) must have changed the thumbpiece on a gun dating before 1997, or the grip (wood in stead of rubber) on a gun dating after 1994. Is this a correct logic ? To some extent, I prefer to get it with a wooden grip, as I have one or two spare Uncle Mike’s grips (I prefer rubber grips on stainless, wood on blue guns).
3. Does this gun have a smooth trigger, and not a serrated one ?

Any thoughts or comments on above are very appreciated.

Thanks and very best – Belgian686

Model 63

Looks like one to me. I had the .22 magnum version. Great revolver and glad you found one.

I'm not sure about the thumb piece timeframe or the shift to Uncle Mikes grips but I like it just as it is. You got a great price too compared to prices here where I'd expect to see it at $1000-$1200 even without the box and papers. I have a couple earlier ones but 4 inch and a -4 5 inch which is interesting but no 2 inch. Great find, enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Belgian686 said:

........ I placed my maximum bid at that amount 30 seconds before the auction ended, which was at 168 € at that exact moment. 25 seconds later I won the auction at 286 € (303 $). You can imagine the mood I was in......Any thoughts or comments on above are very appreciated.

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That is the "score of the year." 1/3 of the $$$ it would cost here. Every forum member that sees this is a dark shade of green with envy. Well done. Joe

Great Buy! It does look like a smooth trigger and it is a MIM one. Give us a range report and pics when you can. Should be a great shooter, Enjoy! Out of curiosity, what is the legal process to purchase a handgun in Belgium?

That is a great score!
They are tough to find in the USA too. I was very happy finding one a few months ago and being able to trade into it for less than the asking price of $950. I usually see them going for well over $1K.

Although stamped 63 no dash, it serial number says it's a -3. BKD4084. FWIW, the serial number is not stamped above the serial number. Not sure if it was made in 93 or 94. I believe the thumbpiece and UM stocks are OEM.

Well, that has to be about the best price on a Model 63 with the 2” barrel that I’ve heard of. You’re pictures look real good.
You hit a home run on that pistol, Belgian686. No doubt about it
I’ve got a couple of Model 63’s with 4” barrel and a couple of blue Model 34’s with 2” barrel, but the 2” Model 63 has been out of reach.

63 2"

Here's a couple for you to compare yours to. Both are 63-3 guns.

jcelect

This is a ~1994 (?) example, serial prefix BNT (1992?), purchased used from a private seller in 2013. No box, smooth trigger. Assumed to be unaltered. Note the early thumbpiece and Uncle Mike's boot grips.

Bluesy 63

I love my Model 63,
A 2 inch gun is what I use!
Yes I love my Model 63,
That little gun can really shoot!
You'll find it in my pocket,
Or sometimes in my boot.

Few years ago I saw a 4" 63 on a local buy trade site. It had the box, papers, and cleaning kit. I think he was asking $500.

I passed on it due to not wanting to drive an hour and a half. It sold fast.

Later that night I looked them up on GB. I sure wish I'd made that drive!

Congrats on your new revolver and a good deal! I noticed you are prior Air Force and ended up in Belgium. If you don't mind, how'd you end up there and how do you like it?

22hipower said:

I'm not sure about the thumb piece timeframe or the shift to Uncle Mikes grips but I like it just as it is. You got a great price too compared to prices here where I'd expect to see it at $1000-$1200 even without the box and papers. I have a couple earlier ones but 4 inch and a -4 5 inch which is interesting but no 2 inch. Great find, enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

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I have a 63-4 in 5 inch too, which I shoot regularly, and a 63 no dash 4" besides a 17-4 6", 617-6 4" and a 3" 650 with dual cylinders 22LR/22Mag. Although the K-frames have (even) better triggers, the fun factor on the J-Frames is VERY addicting. From where the quest for a 2"

S&W ucla said:

Great Buy! It does look like a smooth trigger and it is a MIM one. Give us a range report and pics when you can. Should be a great shooter, Enjoy! Out of curiosity, what is the legal process to purchase a handgun in Belgium?

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First off all, a civilian is not allowed to have (and certainly not carry) guns for self defense. So the only way to own a gun is to be member of a shooting range, and ask a permit each time again you want a new gun (that takes between 4 and 8 month to bring the gun home.
We can also obtain a 'collector's permit' (limited to a specific type of gun, for example revolvers made since xxxx, world war I/II guns, ...) which allows one to take the gun home immediately, but with some other limitations. In theory, each gun of one's collection can only be taken out once a year to be 'test shot'.
Finally, no full auto firing at all allowed for civilians, full stop.

But in the end, Belgium is still very much ok for gun ownership, as in the UK no civilians can acquire handguns, in Germany civlians are not allowed to shoot handguns with barrels less than 3", and in the Netherlands also nothing less than 3" plus only a maximum of 5 guns (that is handguns + logn guns) .

Glenn54 said:

Congrats on your new revolver and a good deal! I noticed you are prior Air Force and ended up in Belgium. If you don't mind, how'd you end up there and how do you like it?

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Thanks. In fact I am Belgian, and served in the Belgian Air Force, to my pride As said in my post before, I am ok here. There is something to complain about everywhere if you look at things from the wrong angle, and life is good in Belgium.

I have been to the US VERY often for work and sometimes for holidays, and I like the US a lot. The husband of a colleague even took me out on a shooting range in Virginia I wish we would have ranges like that here too : open air, very long ranges, good folks, ...
Now I am retired and enjoy shooting and gun ownership even more .

Belgian686 said:

Thanks. In fact I am Belgian, and served in the Belgian Air Force, to my pride As said in my post before, I am ok here. There is something to complain about everywhere if you look at things from the wrong angle, and life is good in Belgium.

I have been to the US VERY often for work and sometimes for holidays, and I like the US a lot. The husband of a colleague even took me out on a shooting range in Virginia I wish we would have ranges like that here too : open air, very long ranges, good folks, ...
Now I am retired and enjoy shooting and gun ownership even more .

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Then you should really have this insignia? I think you can just upload it as your Avatar. I don't remember where the Service badges come from. Maybe a Moderator could change it, if you want to.

Be VERY careful, I was looking for a 63 and got SCAMMED from a guy selling a 2” 63 just like this. Posed as a LEO, Be VERY careful, ask for pictures with the gun in a certain way, like in his hand Something that normally os Not on the internet. Pictures are easy stolen

harley0711 said:

Be VERY careful, I was looking for a 63 and got SCAMMED from a guy selling a 2” 63 just like this. Posed as a LEO, Be VERY careful, ask for pictures with the gun in a certain way, like in his hand Something that normally os Not on the internet. Pictures are easy stolen

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Thanks Harley, we are indeed never totally safe against those things

The seller is in fact a gun shop that is selling through a large website and has almost 12,000 positive reviews versus a few neutral ones and none negative. They also have a website about their shop.

Congratulations,great buy, very nice looking