This is my first post on this forum, and I am hoping members can help me to identify this Smith & Wesson revolver that I’ve had for about 30 years that I got from a retired chief deputy in Tennessee.

With the research I’ve done online I believe it is a chief special target revolver. The retired LEO told me he had put its Pachmayer grips on it. I can’t find too much information though about this model S&W. Were these standard production, or were they a special run sometime during the 80s, And if so, how many were made and when was this one made?

Here’s some photos that I hope you can help people identify when this pistol was made and how common or not it is. I covered the last two numbers of its four digit serial number.

Thank you!

Attached Images

	IMG_7267.jpg (79.9 KB, 471 views)
	IMG_7269.jpg (27.5 KB, 283 views)
	IMG_7272.jpg (42.6 KB, 306 views)
	IMG_7321.jpg (44.2 KB, 244 views)
	IMG_7322.jpg (41.3 KB, 259 views)

They made a gazillion 60 series guns.
Around here you never see the -1 or a 60 with adjustable sites.

Nice one to have for sure.
Congratulations

From Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 4th edition, page 261:
"Product code 102305... limited production of 660.."

"1985 Special run of this model w/adjustable rear sight for Ashland Shooter Supply"

Do you have the box?

VERY nice! And a huge Welcome to the Forum!

Todd

Thank you. I first posted about this revolver on another forum this afternoon and several members there said they believed this is a chiefs special target revolver which was made in 1986 on a very limited run, and they recommended I post it on this forum to try to verify that and see if members here could determine what year this special revolver was made.

Wow! Any idea how many they made for that special run for Ashland Shooter Supply? And do you think that’s the only time they made this type of model of Chiefs special target revolver?
I’ll look but I may have the box packed away in my storage somewhere. I’ve moved many times since I was given this revolver in the late 90s by the Chief Deputy as a gift to show his appreciation of my Military service.

This 2 inch barrel revolver is amazingly accurate even at 25 yards holding it one-handed!

Yep, 660 is all they made. Ashland was pretty well known for distributing limited runs of various S&W models. You have something special! If you find the box and post a pic of the end label we can tell you what day in 1985 it shipped. It would be a nice surprise if the prior owner had squirreled away the original stocks inside the box. That and the box really helps the value.

A friend once gifted me his Beretta 92FS in appreciation of my military service, so I can understand your attachment to it and gratitude to your friend.

Todd

Thank you for your Military service!

I think the original grips were light brown Wooden grips and they are thinner than the black grips on it now.

Is there a way to verify if the AHV 44XX serial number is in that correct range for the 660 pistols that were made by Ashland shooting supplies? Does the A that’s the first letter of the serial number represent Ashland? And does the A that’s on the side of the grip frame represent Ashland?

The prefixes are just assigned alphabetically and typically dont stand for anything. One exception is the model 4006 TSW (Tactical Smith and Wesson) semiauto that was made for the California Highway Patrol and has a CHP prefix. AHV prefixes were reported to have shipped in 1985 so I think you're on the money. Plus being a -1 with an adjustable sight I don't think it can be anything else.

I believe most markings under the stock panels are fitters marks that have no meaning once the gun leaves the factory. If others are more knowledgeable please correct me.

I'm no expert on these at all, I just own the book! My 60-4 is desirable but certainly not as rare as yours.

Todd

The AHV is also part of the serial number so the characters are 7 digits. Nice revolver!

__________________
S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

I appreciate what I’m finding out about this revolver! It sat in a drawer for at least 25 years and just recently I pulled it out and was thinking about taking it to a gun show to sell.

If I can’t find the box and original grips, Any idea on what this pistol is worth in today’s market?

And if I choose to sell it, should I try listing it on this S&W Forum or should I take it to one of the large gun shows in Florida?

You might not get the best deal at a gun show since many of the buyers would be dealers looking to be able to resell. What part of Florida? I let one of the get by me about 5 years ago priced at $700. Not sure how that relates to today.

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I’m in the Tampa area but I travel all over the State often.

I collect US Military weapons and I’d rather this rare pistol be with someone who’s been really wanting one like it for a long time than for it to continue to sit in a drawer with me for another long time…

I looked online last night and could only find two others like it for sale and they were both listed for over $1000 so I know it’s highly sought after by Collectors.

The original stocks would have been Magna or service style with silver S & W medallions.

I have seen a fair number of these for sale so I find it hard to believe only 660 were made. That figure may have been the number made for Ashland specifically, but other distributors may have ordered them also.

You will likely net the most with a sale here in the Wanted to Buy/Trade section. It would likely sell quickly in the $750 range, and may go for more if someone is looking for one. But you may never see another one...good luck in your decision.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks Alan. When the other forum’s members told me they thought only 660 were made, I was also surprised and honestly skeptical and that’s why I was encouraged to post about it on this S&W Forum because if anyone would know something more definitive about this special revolver, I was told it would be here.

I am contemplating selling it, but only because I can appreciate when a fellow collector really wants a special piece that they’ve been looking for for sometime. If I sell, it Will be at the top end of what is the collectors market value, and if only 660 were made that would be much higher than if thousands were made, That’s why I’m hoping that can be better researched and verified here.

"I looked online last night and could only find two others like it for sale and they were both listed for over $1000 so I know it’s highly sought after by Collectors."

Or highly priced by sellers.

Without the box and original grips, the price will probably be lower, but you never know in an auction setting.

Your gun is not considered to be a CST, even though it has all the earmarks of a CST. There were 2517 CSTs produced from 1955-1977 on the model Chief's Special, model marked 36, and the model 50(the designation for the CST). As mentioned above, Ashland Shooters Supply, Ashland , Ohio was the distributor that had originally order these guns from S&W. Your gun's serial number prefix of "AHV" is the only one in my data base having that prefix. The majority of the numbers have and "ALU" prefix. Would it be possible for you to post the full serial number for my database?
jcelect

I did a little digging, and could only come up with information that has already been given to you by other Forum members. The "AHV" triple alpha serial number definitely dates your Model 60-1 revolver to 1985 (the A in the s/n does not refer to Ashland). Its Product Code (102305) says: "2" barrel w/round butt, with adjustable sights. Limited production of 660 for Ashland Shooters Supply...special 1985, Model 60-1". Apparently the same Product Code was used for 2" adjustable sight Model 60-1s manufactured in 1986 that were not part of the Ashland shipment (SCSW 4th Ed., pg 262). Some Forum members have mentioned that they've seen a bunch of these Model 60 adjustable sight revolvers, so I believe that they've seen ones from 1986, and not the Ashland version like you have. Your revolver would have been shipped with checkered walnut stocks with S&W medallions. This appears to be a fairly rare and valuable revolver, but without the original box and walnut stocks, probably not worth $1000. More like $800. As others have said, if you're planning to sell it, first try the S&W Forums "Want to Sell". Dealers at gun shows (or pawn shops) will try to low ball you. Good luck.

Not many gun show buyers have access to the information you've gotten here and wouldn't appreciate what you're selling - they would just see a snubnose .38 Smith and Wesson. A savvy vendor may recognize it but only offer enough to hook you, then put it on their table at a nice markup.

If you decide to sell it, this Forum has a great classified section. Keep looking for the box/papers/cleaning kit/stocks and feature all that along with the gun in your pics. You can always list it at the higher end and drop the price every week until it sells. Maybe sleep on it for a while first; once gone it's hard to get back!

As far as confirming the gun's history, a call to the factory will give you the shipping date but nothing else. A letter from the Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation will give you that plus where/who it was originally shipped to, plus the gun's factory configuration (finish, barrel length, stocks, etc). Letters are $100 and become a very important part of the guns documentation. See the Forum link below:

Letter Request Form

Even if it doesn't turn out to be an Ashland distributed gun, it's still a very nice piece that many would be glad to own. Best wishes in your decision.

Todd

jcelect - I just sent you a PM with the full serial number for your database.

It’s a little confusing because you’re saying it’s not a CST, but then the next post from Hawg Rider on the thread says that it is a CST from the 1985 block. What am I missing?

Oh, and I do believe I have those brown wooden checkered grips with the S&W medallion but they’re in a box in my storage that I’m gonna have to dig through to get. I do not think I have a blue colored box that I see pics of for Chief Special .38 Revolvers.

If it didn’t come through the Ashland group, and it’s not part of a 1986 CST group, is it possible that the chief who got it may have ordered it directly in that configuration from Smith and Wesson? He was very senior and was in the second largest sheriff department in the nation at the time.

I bought an Ashland Shooting Supply that was advertised as one of 3000 run in 1985 or 86. I’m not home now so I can’t access the box or invoice. Nice gun. Should originally have magma stocks on it.

That is a pretty rare revolver! You said that you are contemplating selling it. I agree with the previous poster's comments concerning trying to sell it at a gunshow, gun store, or pawn shop. They WILL try to take advantage of you and offer a ridiculously low price and then brag about how they gave so little for it. I understand that those places are businesses or individuals who are trying to make a profit to keep their businesses going and as the result of buying, selling, and trading firearms for over 50 years, I further understand their game. But as one wise old retired sheriff told me many years ago,"they can make their profit on someone else, just not me." If it were mine and I were forced to sell it, I would not take a penny under $1000. Good luck with your decision, but I would keep that one!

This is the only Smith & Wesson I’ve ever owned and I haven’t looked at it for many years so I’ve been doing a lot just in the past 24 hours. I just looked online and saw what Magna stocks (grips) look like and I do believe that’s the ones that I have in my gun parts storage box I’ll be digging thru tomorrow.

Would this CST revolver have had gold medallion or silver S&W medallions on its wooden grips?

Mine is an ALU prefix 60-1, showing the type of grips it came with when I bought it several years ago.

Attached Images

IMG_0301.jpg (116.5 KB, 134 views)

Thanks! Those look like what I remember because they had gold medallions because 25+ years ago I remember wondering if it was real gold or not. I’m traveling tomorrow through Thursday but I’ll have access to gun parts box I believe they’re in on Thursday afternoon and when I find them, I’ll put them back on the revolver and take pictures and share it with everybody.

jcelect is correct in that the official CSTs were the blued Chiefs Specials, model 36s and 50s with adjustable sights out to the mid-1970s. After these, S & W made a lot of adjustable sight model 36s and 60s which are the unofficial successors to the earlier guns.

If you requested a letter of authenticity on one of these model 60-1s, it may state it is a "model 60-1, special stainless Target variation" or words to that effect. Effectively the same as a CST. Angels dancing on the heads of pins and all that.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Here’s a picture of the inside of the cylinder. Again, this is my first Smith & Wesson revolver, and I’m curious do all of them have this number 1 stamp ?

Attached Images

IMG_7273.jpg (72.1 KB, 78 views)

And Gold Contributor JCELECT ran my full AHV44XX serial number in his database and he let me know that its the only AHV he has, and it is the earliest that he has, which just adds to the mystique and interest of this special S&W revolver.

I’m mailing out my authenticity/factory letter request form tomorrow.

Welcome to the S&W Forum.

You will get a better deal here from a Collector. At a Gun Show most people want to buy guns cheaply so they can resell them.

I finally got to my gun parts box and dug to the bottom and look what I found! I took the Pachmayer grips off and put these back on and I forgot how cool they look!

Attached Images

	IMG_7400.jpg (76.6 KB, 88 views)
	IMG_7401.jpg (64.0 KB, 81 views)
	IMG_7408.jpg (55.6 KB, 116 views)
	IMG_7410.jpg (32.8 KB, 71 views)

You are correct. More 660 for Ashland made. Neat to shoot. Makes a great Carpenter Bee gun too.

Attached Images

	100_0793.jpg (76.0 KB, 52 views)
	100_1210.jpg (100.9 KB, 66 views)

__________________
S&W Accumulator

The grips do improve the curb appeal of your gun. However, I believe they are not the grips that were on the gun when it left the factory! Note the "diamond" around the screw in the checkering! Please refer back to post#22? This is the configuration of the grips that would be correct for your gun. The diamond centered grips you have would have a number stamped on the back side of the right grip panel. This would be the serial number of the gun from which the grips came.
jcelect

I’ll have to go back and dig deeper into my gun parts box then. What model would these grips have gone to? The deputy chief has several pistols and parts in a box that I got from him and when I pulled these out, I saw a larger set that had a S&W medallion, but they were too big to fit on this 38 special

[QUOTE=Hammer2024;142023071]I’ll have to go back and dig deeper into my gun parts box then. What model would these grips have gone to? Are these for an older model or a newer model S&W than this .38 special that I have?

The deputy chief has several pistols and parts in a box that I got from him and when I pulled these out, I saw a larger set that had a S&W medallion, but they were too big to fit on this 38 special.
I actually have several boxes in that storage locker and I’ll have to go thru them. I’m sure I can find the right set. I just need to figure out which pistol these diamond pattern goes to. Te Deputy Chief may have just had them from an earlier revolver he had or as a spare set?

[quote=Hammer2024;142023095]Those stocks could be from most any J frame revolver made before 1968-ish, including the Model 60. I believe that S&W had stopped stamping the serial numbers into the inside of the RH stock by the time your gun was shipped. With no way to know what exact pair shipped with yours, any set of well-fitting period correct stocks should be fine.

Todd

My lettered Ashland Shooter's Supply 60-1, ALU4192 was shipped to A.S.S. on September 20, 1985. It's now my wife's gun, and she keeps it close by. These are the original stocks.

Attached Images

	ash1 (2).jpg (52.3 KB, 74 views)
	ash2 (2).jpeg (88.5 KB, 65 views)

I bought my model 60 w ADJ sights from an El Paso county CO deputy sheriff back in the 90s. It was my understanding several runs of target sight model 60s were made for agencies that required adj sights 38 special for “office” duty guns. I really need to get a letter for mine

I have a 3" version.....great shooter....

Attached Images

60.jpg (69.0 KB, 62 views)

__________________
Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Glad to see you still have that Ashland retired w4 you traded me out of. I’ve got another one a few months ago. Don’t see them too often.

The original grips should be like retired w4s. I’ve heard they only made 660 but I’ve seen a lot of them to make me question it. Serial number wise I’ve only seen alu anb and aiv. Mines an alu. My buddy has 3 of them and none are ahv. So you must have one of the very first ones. I’d hang on to it.

Yes I still have it Jace. Do you still have the 60-9 357?

Here is the Ashford 60-1 with my special run 60-1 (one of 171) 3" SB from June 12, 1978.

Attached Images

IMG_1177 (2).jpg (156.4 KB, 49 views)

The first Chiefs with adjustable sights were square butt models that were shipped to HH Harris Company in Chicago in the 70s. I remember seeing them in the showcase when I was a young Lieutenant there. HH Harris was the "John Jovino" of the Chicago PD back in that day. They had several limited run S&Ws, unfortunately I was busy raising a family and did not have a lot of cash for guns back then. I did get a 3" M19 in Nickle from them-still have it. Carried it a lot as a lieutenant and Captain.

Upper gun is a 36-6 which I believe is a true "Chiefs Special Target" I paid $900 for it in 2017. Lower is a 60-4 with KB's purchased new in 1995 for $485.00

The test run of 3" SB (pictured above) were distributed as noted below. I was surprised that HH Harris was not on the list.

Attached Images

	IMG_1168 (2).jpg (86.2 KB, 37 views)
	IMG_1169 (2).jpg (80.5 KB, 24 views)

It is not a number 1. It is a partially struck letter V. Back when nickel guns were popular, most S&W cylinders for nickel guns had a similarly stamped N on them
To keep the confusion between Nickel and stainless to a minimum at the factory, the stainless cylinders were stamped with a V.

I still have it. I’ve got a 60-4 38 target 3” and a 60-10 target 357 3” as well

The 36-6 is classic but this 36-1 target wouldn't letter as a target, but whoever did the work did a great job.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have one ANB54xx. Think I bought mine new when I lived in Georgia.
Perhaps 1989ish..

__________________
MSG US Army

Hammer2024, did you find more grips?

__________________
Heavily armed old man.

Found them!!! I really need to consolidate my bits pieces parts boxes, but remember I got this pistol over 25 years ago and been thru a bunch of moves since then. I’m just glad I found them!
They were at the bottom of a box with a set of Makarov Grips that the deputy chief had replaced with Pachmeyer grips on that 9mm pistol as well. I remember now he also gave me this extra black cylinder for a quick reload and I remember him show me how to use it.

Yes, they look awesome but I can see why he put the Pachmayer grips on the revolver because they’re so small and thin specially for my size hand.

Now I need to figure out what to do with the other set of J grips that have the diamond on them because I don’t have the pistol that he must’ve got those for. I guess I can trade or sell at a gun show or something.

Attached Images

	IMG_7592.jpg (57.8 KB, 26 views)
	IMG_7593.jpg (63.1 KB, 29 views)
	IMG_7594.jpg (31.8 KB, 22 views)
	IMG_7595.jpg (80.6 KB, 20 views)
	IMG_7591.jpg (81.9 KB, 20 views)

Now that I found its correct grips, can y’all give me an idea of what this special revolver is worth in today’s market? I didn’t pay anything for it because it was given to me as a gift, but I would like to know of course what it’s worth now����

I finally received the Smith & Wesson historical foundation letter and they verified that my revolver is in fact a Chiefs special target Model 60-1 that was part of the special production run made for Ashland shooters supply in 1985. This revolvers serial number is the only one of its type made in this special production run of 660 or so revolvers. I really appreciate everybody encouraging me to get this validation letter.