586 Info

[ODB]

I am not new to double action revolvers, I have a few Colts and one Dan Wesson, but no S&W revolvers. I have always admired the blued S&W 586. Just so happens I recently stumbled on a nice 6" version at a decent price, so I jumped on it. As I do with all new purchases, I first try to determine the date of manufacture. Currently the gun is in I guess what could be considered a field stripped state, the cylinder is removed with the crane disassembled and grips removed. The side plate, trigger and hammer are still in tact. I am an Eezox fan so I have been applying the juice to it. I believe this is a first year production gun, which from what I can tell would be 1981.

Let me give you a description – blued 6" barrel; standard partridge front sight (no inserts); adjustable rear sight: S&W trademark emblem is on the right side (nothing on the left side); target grips; serial number (on the frame by the crane and beneath the grips on the butt) is AAA7286; also on the frame by the crane is an M (I know this is for the bushing modification) along with "mod 586"; on the yoke/crane itself is a "G4" and the numbers 9385x. Left side butt frame beneath the grips are additional markings: a "G4", 9385x, a circle w/ BE over an A; there are other markings but I can't make them out. Right side butt frame: a circle w/ a V in it; a triangle with a G in it; and another series of numbers 04706. The fellow I bought it from said he bought it new but wasn't sure how long ago that was.

What ever info you folks would be willing to share will be appreciated.

 

[Hillbilly77]

First, welcome to the Forum.
Second, we love pictures here.
The alpha-numeric serial numbers started in 1980 at AAA0000.
Your 1981 guess is about right. My 586 no dash is AAA79**, dates close to yours.
The earlier guns have the S&W emblem on the right side plate, but I'm not sure where the cutoff is when they stopped.
A friend of mine also has a no-dash, without the emblem (I'm not sure his manufacture date).
If you have the original wood grips, there should be a date ink-stamped on the inside of the grip. I'm not sure if that stamp dates the gun or the grips, but it may be a ballpark date.

 

[Stainless44]

Second, we love pictures here.

Never before has one man spoken so eloquently for so many.

 

[Joewisc]

Here's my 586 no dash, 4-inch, with Pachmayr grip, made 1984, Serial #ADZxxxx "M" stamped. A superb revolver in every respect.
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[cptdco]

Hmmm..congratulations. I have a bunch of no-dash L frames and the only other one I'd like to own is an early 586 with a six inch barrel, the right-side logo and a patridge sight.
I don't know when the logo went left and it was probably a gradual thing, but only very low serial numbers seem to be made that way. I have a 581 and a 681 with the logo on the right and they both have AAA prefixes in the serial number.

 

[lhump1961]

Well, mine is an AEA no dash which puts it to 1984 and by that time the logo had been moved to the left side. I guess mine is towards the end of the no dash run...what a great gun!

The 4" is the no dash behind the 3" -4. Still looking for that right 6"!

 

[barbsaurus]

Where can I get serial number/manufacture data? Is it published info?

 

[GJHIII]

Welcome to "The Forum". Imho, you've made an excellent choice. I've been chasing that 6" 586 for quite awhile with no luck. I lucked into being at the right place at the right time for a 4" 586-8 but that 6" (Irregardless of dash) just flies out of dealers cases. Congrats.

 

[lhump1961]

Where can I get serial number/manufacture data? Is it published info?

To the best of my knowledge it is not available outside of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson or if you call S&W directly. The SCSW is a great resource to have around and will tell you most everything about most every S&W gun from a statistical standpoint. Especially helpful when looking at the autos to understand the model #'s and characteristics. Mine sits right on my desk!

 

[nipster]

I have been trying to get an AAAxxxx 586 and 686 for some time. I missed on one gunsamerica recently. Like the looks of the S&W logo on the right sideplate where it belongs.

 

[cptdco]

There is a beautiful pair of them on Gun Broker if you've got an extra $3,200. I also like the logo on the right side but they're hard to come by...picked up a no-dash 686 with the Missouri Highway patrol on the right side...nice looking gun also.

 

[ODB]

If you have the original wood grips, there should be a date ink-stamped on the inside of the grip. I'm not sure if that stamp dates the gun or the grips, but it may be a ballpark date.

I appreciate the thoughts and the welcome. The grips seem to show February '81

I will get pics of the gun when I am done with the Eezox.

In the meantime, any info on the other markings and series of numbers?