1975 Model 66-1

[HYPURR]

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

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Looks good to me! Those are factory assembly markings on the cylinder.

 

[viceunit]

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.

 

[Retired W4]

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

 

[Rustywrench]

I don't have one to compare, but is that cylinder cut for moon clips? looks odd to me.

 

[viceunit]

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.

Mine is 25K prefix. Now that I zoomed the photo I see that 8K serial #.

 

[Retired W4]

I don't have one to compare, but is that cylinder cut for moon clips? looks odd to me.

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.

 

[HYPURR]

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

 

[SS336]

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.

 

[Retired W4]

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.

 

[HYPURR]

Yes; the cylinder on the 66-1 offered For sale does not match any 66 i have either.

BIG THANKS to all chiming in with great info.

That's what this Forum is about. Without it i dare say we all are sunk!

 

[Engine49guy]

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.

 

[Hair Trigger]

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.

 

[snw19_357]

-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?

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.

 

[Engine49guy]

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 very 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.