646 and other SS finish

[John_M52]

I've been looking for a 646 but it seems the very few I have seen online have less than a polished finish. I'm wondering if that is indicative of the 2000-2003 period or if that's just S&W's SS finish. I know it's not polished nickel. My well used M 66 has lots of fine scratches (or maybe again that's the original finish). I'm not saying it is a brushed finish just lots of fine lines.

Can anyone advise - are the fine lines typical of SS of that period or am I looking at something that was attacked with 0000 steel wool? Just don't want to spend top dollar and find out the finish was altered by an owner.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

S&W's first stainless steel revolver was the Model 60, which débuted at the 72nd International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in October 1965. The first and second production runs -- a total of 936 Model 60s -- were done in what S&W called a bright polished finish.

According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, it "... was objectionable to law enforcement agencies and was difficult for Smith & Wesson to manufacture."

The resulting change, which occurred during the third production run, is called a satin finish, and it became S&W's standard. There have been several other "finishes" through the years, but, yes, the factory satin finish can have a somewhat "scratched" appearance. Some on the forum tout using a green Scotchbright pad to restore the original finish. I tried it on one particularly marred Model 60, and the result was acceptable, although I can't say it's identical to the factory satin finish.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, it "... was objectionable to law enforcement agencies and was difficult for Smith & Wesson to manufacture."

My F-I-L had carried a first batch model-60 for about a week and a half longer than they have been de'buted. It is still his EDC, and still bright & shiny! I never checked the SN but I would believe it would be in the first 10 made! (and possibly start with a "0"!)

But what I remember most about the gun: Is in May of 1978 as he walked his oldest daughter towards me, That Gun was tucked in his cummerbund! (I'd say that is in the same class as a BBQ gun.)

Ivan

 

[two-bit cowboy]

My F-I-L had carried a first batch model-60 for about a week and a half longer than they have been de'buted. It is still his EDC, and still bright & shiny! I never checked the SN but I would believe it would be in the first 10 made! (and possibly start with a "0"!)

But what I remember most about the gun: Is in May of 1978 as he walked his oldest daughter towards me, That Gun was tucked in his cummerbund! (I'd say that is in the same class as a BBQ gun.)

Ivan

The first run in the summer of 1965, according to Dr. Jinks, was s/n 401754 - 401792 in the original Chiefs Special serial number series. There were 39 examples. I've never seen one.

My bright polished one is from the second run and the 209th one in that series.

Yes, I agree, BBQ worthy.

I appreciate the cummerbund story -- offers quite a "visual."

 

[John_M52]

S&W's first stainless steel revolver was the Model 60, which débuted at the 72nd International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in October 1965. The first and second production runs -- a total of 936 Model 60s -- were done in what S&W called a bright polished finish.

According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, it "... was objectionable to law enforcement agencies and was difficult for Smith & Wesson to manufacture."

The resulting change, which occurred during the third production run, is called a satin finish, and it became S&W's standard. There have been several other "finishes" through the years, but, yes, the factory satin finish can have a somewhat "scratched" appearance. Some on the forum tout using a green Scotchbright pad to restore the original finish. I tried it on one particularly marred Model 60, and the result was acceptable, although I can't say it's identical to the factory satin finish.

Hope this helps.

Thank you, helps a lot!

 

[505Gibbs]

I've owned a 646 and have seen a few on GB and all have a satin finish - FWIW.