66-2 Looking for information

[Davischristian3399]

I recently purchased a 66-2 (AHJ19XX) as the frame was stamped to the LE agency I currently work for. The gun in question is a 66-2 4" BUT with a round butt.
I am aware that in the 90s all 66's changed to a round butt however this gun predates that by about 12 years. I have my grandfathers 66 no dash that was his service gun from the same agency and it is a 4" square butt.

Was my 66-2 ordered specifically by the agency as a 4" round butt or was it a 2.5" that someone put a 4" barrel on somewhere down the line?

 

[stansdds]

You might want to call S&W and ask. They can often tell you the factory configuration of a revolver based on its serial number.

 

[C3Ranger]

If you post a couple of good pics here, some of the expert members of the forum might be able to help. I understand that on the 2-1/2 inch version there was a slight difference in the top strap or frame where it meets the barrel. The 4 inch and longer barreled versions had a slight tapering of the top strap, while those manufactured with the short barrel did not.

 

[357larry]

It was a common modification in the days of the 66-1 and 66-2 to convert 4 inch barrel revolvers to round butt configuration. Easy enough to do.

 

[mchom]

Very cool to have these guns and such close connections to the agency. Many might disagree but I would consider lettering. It’s true your agency might have used a distributor and the letter would only show up to that point. But it should show any special configurations such as the early round butt.

Assuming it was not a later modification of course.

It would be neat to see if you could pursue records from your dept. Maybe the armorer might have copies. It’s a long shot if even possible.

Regardless the personal and family connection to these guns is really neat. Love to see pics.

I collect dept marked guns as well

 

[Davischristian3399]

I attached some photos of both revolvers. The 66 with the target stocks were my grandfathers and has never left the family. He was the elected sheriff at the time this 66 was issued to him so didn’t see much use. It obviously was done up a little for his retirement with the jeweled trigger, hammer and some engraving but it was clearly a department issued revolver.
I did notice that there was a difference in the rear sight between the two revolvers but outside of that and the iteration changed such as lack of P&R the guns appear the same outside of the round butt.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum, and thank you for your service as a First Responder. According to the "Standard Catalog of S&W 5th Ed.", your Model 66-2 (AHJ19xx) was manufactured in 1985. The 66-2 was first introduced in 1982, and as you know that's when S&W eliminated the pinned barrel and cylinder counterbore (P&R). The 2-1/2" bbl. versions had round butt grip frames (like the Model 19s), but the 4" and 6" versions were square butt grip frames. I did a quick search and couldn't find any 4" 66-2s that were manufactured with a RB. As others have noted, it was a common modification and the grip was probably rounded by a talented local gunsmith. But never say never with S&W, so it's possible that there was a special order- but I think it's unlikely. You have a couple of very nice revolvers, enjoy!

 

[snw19_357]

I did notice that there was a difference in the rear sight between the two revolvers...

Right. The 4" RB has not been round butted but is a round butt frame that now has a 4" barrel on it.

 

[Engine49guy]

The long rear site leaf and lack of frame step down to the barrel rib are both signs your round butt originally had a 2.5" snub barrel.