68-1

[Retired W4]

A gun show partner of mine realized he has a 68-1 marked .357 MAG. The customer service lady at S&W told him there were only one in that configuration. Any information on this gun would be greatly appreciated. I will have to get more info from my partner on any CHP markings.

 

[H Richard]

Please do so and post with pictures if possible.

 

[Dieseltech56]

What are the features of the gun? Is it a 681 that was mismarked?

 

[murphydog]

Highly likely to be a mis-stamped 681, similar to the model 101 (10-1 without the dash) and the 57-0 (probably first built as a 29-2, then overstamped).

 

[KEN L]

A gun show partner of mine realized he has a 68-1 marked .357 MAG. The customer service lady at S&W told him there were only one in that configuration. Any information on this gun would be greatly appreciated. I will have to get more info from my partner on any CHP markings.

I also talked to Tom about this, this weekend. It’ s a Model 681, which most likely is a mismarked gun, but he’s convinced it’s a rare, one of a kind, that deserves a letter. So that’s probably the only way to convince him. Hopefully he’ll prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

For what it’s worth, I have an early 686 that was marked as a 68-6 in the model box on the label.

 

[Sixgun100]

I also talked to Tom about this, this weekend. It’ s a Model 681, which most likely is a mismarked gun, but he’s convinced it’s a rare, one of a kind, that deserves a letter. So that’s probably the only way to convince him. Hopefully he’ll prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

For what it’s worth, I have an early 686 that was marked as a 68-1 in the model box on the label.

My Model 581 is also marked/ stamped 58-1, so don’t think it is all that uncommon.

 

[hkcavalier]

New employee training at S&W back in the early 1980s.

There are lots of 68s that shoot .357s. They're marked "66."

 

[Retired W4]

Yes Ken. After further review, it is a mis-marked 681. Full under lug barrel. etc. IAW S&W there is only one reported. You know I like the unusual/scares guns so that would fit in my meager collection. I have no idea what Tom is going to do with it. Time will tell.

Oh, I do love fixed sight magnums!! M-58 my favorite.

 

[KEN L]

Oh, once he gets it out of his mind that it's worth a LOT of money, he'll sell it to you!

 

[nachogrande]

THERE'S MORE THAN 1.

Mine is a mis - marked 681, in the crane it reads "MOD. 68-1". Sorry to burst your bubble. It is still a VERY nice gun. What I don't know is, does this mean it is a no dash? I bought the "681" & a 640 no dash from a retired cop/RO who said they were his duty guns. 325$ EACH in 2012, I'm happy with that.