586 / .38 Special

[Pizza Bob]

Last week I purchased a four inch 586-4 chambered in .38 S&W Special (and the barrel is thusly rollmarked). Because this is NJ, and because it caught me by surprise and I have no permits, it will be 6-8 weeks before I take actual physical possession of the gun.

What I want to know is, "What do I have?" I am aware of the Brazilian Contract guns and this is NOT one of them (they were 586-5's and had a unique serial number prefix). The serial number of this gun places this as November 1997 production. There is no box or papers - I bought it as a shooter. The grips that are on it are rubber Hogue monogrips with the molded-in S&W logo. I do not know if they are original to the gun. It has a red ramp front sight and a plain rear. I'm assuming that this is part of what was a Special Ordinance Order, but am at a loss how this escaped the intended recipient. You would think you would see others out there, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Is this worth having "lettered?" Anybody else have one of these that is not a Brazilian Contract gun.

Thanks for any knowledge you can impart.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[palmetto99]

I may be wrong (not the first time), but I want to say some New York agency (dept of corrections or port autority) also ordered the 586 in .38 spl.

 

[Dave T]

I have both a 4" and a 6" that were over-runs from the Brazilian contract, and both are 586-4s.

I would say you have one of them also.

By the way, what's with the add on your OP. Isn't that kind of a forum rules violation?

Dave

 

[Pizza Bob]

Dave:

It was my understanding - and this is from an avid S&W collector - that all of the Brazilian guns were 586-5's and that all had serial numbers starting with "BP". Also unique is that the shorter barrel guns were actually 4.25", not 4". Do you have the box(es), as they would be marked as for Brazilian export.

My serial number starts with "CC". Thanks for the input - sounding more and more like I may have to cough-up the $50.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

PS: Not my ad - must go with the forum

 

[Doug M.]

I recall hearing that there were a few LE agencies that ordered revolvers like this. One of them was a railroad company's PD, if memory serves.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Through further research I have found that possibly there was more than one production run of the Brazilian guns. I have found images of boxes, that clearly state "Brazil". One image shows two cardboard boxes and serial numbers on both of those that have the BPY prefix. Another image shows the newer plastic box, also clearly marked "Brazil" and the serial number prefix is CCE. I have found several other references to Brazil contract guns with CCE prefixes. There were also two special order numbers noted: 3300 for the 4.25" guns and 3301 for the 6" guns in the cardboard boxes. The plastic box shows special order 7252 for a 4.25" gun. The product codes are consistent from order to the other (103498 = 4.25" / 103499 = 6").

I also found a reference in an old ad (accuracy unknown) that there was a contract for 250 586's for Brazil, and the ad inferred that the entire contract was cancelled and all 250 were sold here in the USA - could these possibly be from the, apparently later(judging by the box), contract(s) 72XX??

Adios,

Pizza Bob