66-1 with logo on under cylinder release?

[Lt.cap'nadmiral jeeves]

Anyone else seen one like this? It's pinned and recessed and the owner states it's a 66-1 but I thought with the -2 changes the logo was moved from the side plate to the release side. Is it possible that this is one of the oddballs that s&w let out during the transition period between -1 and -2? I have seen a couple -1's online that were commemoratives with engraving on the other side and the logo was moved but the ad doesn't state this is anything other than a regular 66-1.

 

[colt_saa]

AS you stated, this used to be the practice for guns getting factory engraved. It allowed for a larger canvas on the now blank sideplate.

S&W wastes nothing. If they had prepped 8 for engraving but only engraved 5, the remaining three would have still been sold unengraved.

 

[Retired W4]

That's what I'm thinking too. BTW, I still own my 66-1, 2 1/2" that I bought new in 1977(?). Great guns.

 

[cndrdk]

Some have it on right side and some on left. My 66-1 has it on the left side. Must have changed to left side towards latter end of the run.

 

[Nesmith]

When does S&W stamp the dash number?

I have a 66-2 that has the "2" stamped on top of a "1". It is neither pinned nor recessed and has the logo stamped on the left side (which has been identified as the correct side for a -2). It is definitely a -2.

Does anyone know at what point in the assembly process the dash number is applied?

(This four-inch 66-2 also has target stocks along with a red ramp front and a white outline rear sight. Flash-chromed hammer and trigger.)