1975 Model 66-1

HYPURR

HYPURR

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Looking for allittle help. Considering this NIB-Unfired (except factory?) 66-1 Snubby. Full Kit.

-1975 P&R gun the grips would be #'d to the gun?
-The Cylinder has several other markings (see image); is this the norm on a Snub?

Seller wants all the $$$ and possibly worth it - in CA so offerings and opportunity are thin.

Appreciate the help! Best, Dave
 

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  • S&W 1975 66-1 L.jpg
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Just checked my 66-1 snub. The cylinder has the "V" stamp, but nothing else. I don't know what those other symbols are. Around here that one with all the extras and great condition I would not be surprised to sell for $900-$1200. In CA, could not guess.
 
8K17144 would be a 1975 serial number but by then S&W had stopped stamping the SN on the rear face of the cylinder. Nice 66-1. I still have my 2 1/2" 66-1 that I bought new in 1978. 80K prefix.

Edit: 30K
 
Last edited:
Rustywrench said:
I don't have one to compare, but is that cylinder cut for moon clips? looks odd to me.
Click to expand...
Looks like mine except for the markings. The diamond on the rear face of your cylinder might be a factory re-work mark. Check the left side of the grip frame for a 3 or 4 digit date code. 4 85= April, 1985 (or 95). 10 90 = October, 1990.
 
Very Much Appreciate the replies and information.

Cylinder is Recessed not for Moon Clips.

Tony's right: "Around here that one with all the extras and great condition I would not be surprised to sell for $900-$1200. In CA, could not guess."

Been For Sale since JUNE 2024 on/off @ $1600. I do know "something" about Pre-Lok 357's. But, the cylinder markings looked odd to me. Not the norm nor does it match anything 66 i have. In BS CA would pay $1400 for NIB Full Kit 66-1. Not this and not even interested anymore. Best, Dave
 
Looks like it was worked on to me, for some reason. Not cut for moon clips. Serial number was stamped on the extractor at that time maybe. Has a diamond stamping as mentioned above. It wouldn't have the serial number stamped the rear face in the mid 70's

Here is a picture of the back of the cylinder of my 4K 66.

IMG_1374.jpeg
 
I have now convinced myself that the OP's gun went back to S&W and had, among other things, a new cylinder install. I say that because of the diamond and serial number on said cylinder. A date code on the left side of the grip frame would clinch it for me.
 
The "V" stamp identified the cylinder as a SS cylinder not a carbon steel part in the raw at the factory.
Iirc the factory used to serial the cylinder and barrel when a revolver was returned for service so those parts would end up back together again.
Pretty sure that diamond stamp means it was reworked also but others will have more info on that.
If you remove the left side grip panel there might be a date stamped there indicating when it was reworked.
 
The "R" on the cylinder indicates a re-work, not sure what was done and the other marks may indicate inspections of the re-work. The V indicates it is stainless. It is a recessed cylinder, which was deleted in 1982. Nice revolver, you should get it. Snubbies go for more than the 4" square butt guns usually and they make an excellent concealed carry. I have a M66-1 like that one, but made in 1980.
DSC01900.JPG
de7611f2-3fc1-4d26-a90a-b26000b50c44.jpg
 
HYPURR said:
-1975 P&R gun the grips would be #'d to the gun?
-The Cylinder has several other markings (see image); is this the norm on a Snub?
Click to expand...
Yes, the right panel should be numbered 17144 if original.

I would love to see a picture of the yoke. I had thought the "R" on the cylinder meant it was a replacement. I have seen a bunch of Model 66's from the gas ring on the yoke era that appear to have gone back to S&W and had a cylinder with the gas ring installed, and the yoke modified to accept it. But, most of those cylinders were not serialized so maybe this one required additional rework after the cylinder had been fit. I agree with Engine49guy that parts were serialized to make sure they got back with the right frame.

In HYPURR's picture showing the left side, it looks like the gas ring is on the cylinder and 8K17144 is smack in the middle of the gas ring on yoke era.
I have 8K989xx which is a 6" RB that had its cylinder replaced and it's not serialized but here's a picture of the (modified) yoke.

1754099968865.png
1754100163893.png
 
When I first read the OP thought to myself ,
" 1975 is a bit early to be a dash 1"
Makes total sense after reading SNW19_357 post above,
Likely a late 66 no dash that originally had the short production feature found on late 19-3/15-3's etc where the gas ring was briefly moved to the yoke (around 1975ish?).
If it went back and was modified moving the gas ring to the cylinder ( during the dash 1 era) they would have likely stamped a dash 1 on it which would explain a 66-1 with such an early ship date.
On a side note this is another example of a weird S&W anomoly as the pre 1975 Model 19-3 / 66's would have the gas ring on the cylinder, the weird thing is the factory didnt advance the revision when they moved the gas ring to the yoke in 75 which typically indicates a major part changed. If so they basicly had to advance the revision number to 19-4/66-1 etc to identify they had changed back to the old design.
 
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You Collectors know more about this than I do, but wasn't there an issue with excessive heat in the cylinders of the first M-66's?
 
Again I very much appreciate the updated info provided. Being in CA and the seller wanting Snoop Dawg $$$ on a factory re-work odd duck I'm out. Preference for this type of example BNIB as it left the factory for "all the Mony."

...you have 1 for sale?
 
HYPURR said:
Again I very much appreciate the updated info provided. Being in CA and the seller wanting Snoop Dawg $$$ on a factory re-work odd duck I'm out. Preference for this type of example BNIB as it left the factory for "all the Mony."

...you have 1 for sale?
Click to expand...
I don't. I've had mine for 47 years and it's not going anywhere, except in my Don Hume holster.
 
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