686-3 Unfluted - Need More Info

[AK Islander]

I've had this gun for probably 15 years or more. The shop I purhased it from said it was a "Hunter" model from the S&W custom shop. However bright SS seems like an odd finish to me for a hunting gun.

I do not believe it's been fired except for at the factory. Has a cyl. ring from me and others rotating the cyl. but other than that shows very little wear. Single action trigger pull is 1# 8oz. Before I go shooting this thing, I'd like to find out whether it's a collector's item of some kind, a one-off custom shop order, or just an average run of the mill piece.

Marks on the frame under the yolk appear to match what's on the box label, although some of the serial data is not legible due to stamping irregularities. Tried to take photos of the markings but they didn't come out. They are: BBU 89 09, and underneath that is stamped Mod. 686-3.

Here are some pics:

Any info you can offer to help me further identify/value this piece would be appreciated. Thanks,

Chris

 

[625smith]

Someone polished your 686. The original finish was brushed stainless.

 

[AK Islander]

Does the code on the box indicate a brushed finish originally? I'm not familiar with the factory codes.

If it was in fact polished after it left the factory, whoever shined it up did a very nice job. The logo and lettering are all still sharp with no obvious buffer marks anywhere. The finish seems a little too nice for the average gunsmithing shop to have done.

However, if this piece did receive an aftermarket polishing job, that would actually be good news to me since I really want to shoot this thing. Have enough safe queens already... Refinishing would/should have ruined any collector value, correct?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

It was called the Classic Hunter and 5,000 were made in 1989. The high polish was not factory. The one's I've seen had a trigger over-travel stop. It's a little thingy behind the trigger. Take the side plate off, and there's a tiny screw you can adjust that will cam the thingy in and out. Your gun shipped.....

February 18, 1989​

Did it come with the Hogue's originally?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Classic Hunter 686-3

First off, Welcome to the Forum!

That's a nice pistol. That Product Code# is for the "Classic Hunter" model. The SCSW #3 doesn't elaborate on the exact finish & the "S" on the box is just for stainless steel. However the official 1989 product introduction flyer (see attachment) states that it's satin stainless finish. (The cylinder looks pretty shiny to me in the picture?) Only 5000 were made. In scanning the SCSW several other similar unfluted models have been made since then. The flyer doesn't say anything about a trigger stop, but check anyway & let us know.

Most recently Talo had S&W make a run of them (686-6) with 7 shot cylinders (the Plus model) & 3", 5" & 7" barrels.

In my opinion it's definitely unique (being the 1st unfluted version?) but I can't say how much. As far as the shiny finish it might make a difference to the purist but it wouldn't to me, a non-purist. In fact, I shined my Talo 5" up. It cleans up easier, IMO.

I'd say shoot it & enjoy it! I don't believe in safe queens. I've ended up shooting everything I've bought no matter how unique it is. I want to enjoy it before I'm gone.

.

 

[bananaman]

It is cool, and I like it! I have never had an unfluted cylinder gun. I hope to someday. They just look neat to me. I have a 6" 686-3. Great shooting gun. Take your gun to the range for a workout! Bob

 

[AK Islander]

BLUEDOT37, thanks for the welcome! And thanks to all who posted replies.

The revolver does have a trigger stop. I'm thinking this is the Classic Hunter model based on your input and the evidence presented thus far, just curious now about the grips and especially the finish.

Grips on the gun are Uncle Mikes brand - these grips are what was on the gun when I acquired it. In all the pictures I've googled up showing the Classic Hunter model, it looks like Hogues predominate. The revolver in the old ad posted by BLUEDOT37 also appears to have Hogues on it. So I'm thinking Hogues are what S&W supplied with this model? Does the "stock" code on the box (TS) hold any clues as to the grip type?

Now, the finish...the ad that BLUEDOT37 found appears to show a shinier finish than the typical brushed finish, although the resolution is too low to tell for sure. Did S&W start out supplying a higher lustre finish and then flatten it out due to customer input or some other unknown factor (just a wild assed guess here)? The finish on my revolver is not quite mirror bright but definitely has more gloss than typical brushed or satin.

Maybe the simplest explanation is the best: a guy (or gal) bought this thing, didn't like the grips or the finish so changed both. I could easily accept this if the finish wasn't so professional looking. When the grips are removed, the same level of polish has been applied to the front strap, back strap and heel. If it has been refinished, what type of evidence should I be looking for to show that it was altered?

Sorry for the long post, but this mystery is very interesting to me and I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of it!