rkurzy
Member
same S&W in the pics above
686-5 "The Presidents"
- Thread starter BidderRV
- Start date
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Post a pic of the box end label. That would tell us a lot.
rkurzy
Member
Model 686
Caliber 357
Type Revlr
Barrel 6
Product 149251
Serial # DCX5204
S&W 686 357 6 Export
Caliber 357
Type Revlr
Barrel 6
Product 149251
Serial # DCX5204
S&W 686 357 6 Export
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Thanks. That's helpful.
Was there a Spec. Ord. number?
On the box label. 4-digits, and it may begin with an "2" or an "8".
rkurzy
Member
IMG_4529-2.JPG
IMG_4528-3.JPG
SW-686-The-Presidents_petite-768x1024.jpg
IMG_4528-3.JPG
SW-686-The-Presidents_petite-768x1024.jpg
rkurzy
Member
Can't figure out the picture thing. Any help, thanks
rkurzy
Member
rkurzy
Member
rkurzy
Member
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Some random thoughts on this gun....
It's interesting that this gun has the S&W logo on both the right and left side plate. 
It's a -5, which S&W ceased making in late 2001 to early 2002, but according to the label, and other accounts, it shipped February 19, 2009. Seven years after the last standard production -5. This is very unusual, as I've only seen a "lost in time" dash number like this a couple of times.
The s/n prefix, "DCX", is just a normal s/n. I've seen it used on other guns that were nothing special. Often times a commemorative like this will have special prefix.
The gun is called The President's. Single possessive. It's "a" president's gun. Just one president. Feb. 19, 2009 Obama had been sworn in for exactly one month. Apparently, this is Obama's gun, as he was the President.
It has a Millett rear target sight. S&W used this sight on only a few other special models. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think Millett makes this sight anymore.
The label says these were for export to Germany. If this gun actually left the country, and went to Germany, it would have European acceptance stamps and proof marks on it. Typically these will be found in three places. The frame, the barrel, and the cylinder (all three). If it has no marks, it never left the US
It's a -5, which S&W ceased making in late 2001 to early 2002, but according to the label, and other accounts, it shipped February 19, 2009. Seven years after the last standard production -5. This is very unusual, as I've only seen a "lost in time" dash number like this a couple of times.
The s/n prefix, "DCX", is just a normal s/n. I've seen it used on other guns that were nothing special. Often times a commemorative like this will have special prefix.
The gun is called The President's. Single possessive. It's "a" president's gun. Just one president. Feb. 19, 2009 Obama had been sworn in for exactly one month. Apparently, this is Obama's gun, as he was the President.
It has a Millett rear target sight. S&W used this sight on only a few other special models. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think Millett makes this sight anymore.
The label says these were for export to Germany. If this gun actually left the country, and went to Germany, it would have European acceptance stamps and proof marks on it. Typically these will be found in three places. The frame, the barrel, and the cylinder (all three). If it has no marks, it never left the US
Wouldn't an Obama gun be less than 22 caliber and shipped without a firing pin? Plus it would be made in China. 
rkurzy
Member
rkurzy
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rkurzy
Member
Locking device
This 686-5 has no locking device, that would put the production date before 1990?
This 686-5 has no locking device, that would put the production date before 1990?
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
None of the -5's had the lock. The last -5 was made in 2001 - 2002. That's why this gun is so unusual. Based on it's dash number it SHOULD be from an earlier time..... but it's not.
That style of box wasn't in use until 2004 and the s/n prefix is from 2008 - 2009. The date code on the box also confirms 2009. Very strange.
I'd say the frame was made years earlier, and the gun got it's s/n and box at a much later date. Probably S&W cleaning house. Getting rid of some old pre-lock frames laying around, by sending them overseas. I wouldn't be surprised if total production was less than two dozen, and the s/n's are not in sequence.
The gun has a unique Product Code, 149251, so it was made with these embellishments at the S&W factory. It's NOT an aftermarket commemorative. A factory letter would clear up all the mystery and speculation. The letter would cost $50, but it would be worth it. With a gun this unusual, a letter would add at least that much value to the provenience.
rbmorse
Member
The grips are from Nill-Griffe in Stuttgart, Germany. Look very similar to the ones I bought for my 986.
Last edited:
rkurzy
Member
Thanks Again Kernel & rbmorse, I'm submitting a factory letter request
Thanks Again
Bob
Thanks Again
Bob
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
rkurzy, were there any foreign proofmarks on your gun? An "L" in an oval with a flaming bomb over it is a common one. That's Liege Belgium, a common port of entry. Most guns intended for Germany will have this mark.
rkurzy
Member
proof marks
Kernel, The only marks on the 686 were the ones I posted earlier.
Kernel, The only marks on the 686 were the ones I posted earlier.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Then that one missed the boat. It never went overseas.
