686 AAB Serial Prefix

[robvious]

thanks Kernel...
I truly enjoy this place...
learning from the masters is joy...

 

[onejdm]

I have a 686 aak with logo on left

 

[GunarSailors]

I'd need to see a left-logo alphabetically before ACF.

Here is my left side logo 686 with a serial number starting with AAF, just for reference.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Here is my left side logo 686 with a serial number starting with AAF, just for reference....

Well, that certainly "moves the needle". Basically, it appears S&W was making some left logo L-frames right from the beginning. At least, by 1981 - 1982.

Does that gun have a White Outline rear sight, or a plain Black Blade? Knowing that would allow me to determine the product code.

 

[H Richard]

This one is an AAF66xx dated to June 1982. It has the emblem on the left. This gun has shot many a PPC match with light 38's and kept me in the Expert class. The Hogue stocks have been on it since 1986 when Guy Hogue himself came to our range (For the Masters International Shooting Championship) and fit them to this gun.

It has a case hardened 1/2" target trigger which I have ground the serrations out of and contoured for smooth double action work.

 

[GunarSailors]

Well, that certainly "moves the needle". Basically, it appears S&W was making some left logo L-frames right from the beginning. At least, by 1981 - 1982.

Does that gun have a White Outline rear sight, or a plain Black Blade? Knowing that would allow me to determine the product code.

Actually now you have me thinking and I believe that it came with a black blade and was changed out to a white outline after it left the factory.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Mine is a left logo AAC for reference. No dash 686 with M stamp.
Rear sight black, no outline

 

[DoubleNickel]

For sake of this thread, I know it's an old one, I have AAB33xx with right side emblem.

 

[18robert]

i have a 686 no dash, no m. ser. ajv17xx,can not find anything about it in my 4th edition.

 

[Flipside]

What a blast from the past post!

Chiming in here… my first S&W buy was a 686, with s/n prefix AAA and the numbers after that being 009x. So, one of the first hundred stamped?

The label on the box has hand written info… not the computer printed / generated info.

 

[66L72]

AAB Prefix

I have a 686 NO Dash with a 4 inch barrel. AAB Prefix. S&W trademark on the right side. Shipped August 1981.

Pat

 

[spin132]

Here's an earlier 686 (AAB7123) that shipped in September of 1981. Not sure why the insignia was moved to the left side? I like the look of it on the right side to fill the void.

Mike

 

[Engine49guy]

The SW trademark has migrated from small left to large right back n forth a few times going back prior to WW2.
If memory serves it was moved back to the left to simplify selecting guns for comemorative engraving.

Have a 19-4 with a small left side TM when it should be larger right side that I've assumed was supposed to be engraved but wasnt.

 

[66L72]

Spin132, 686 NO Dash looks great! Thanks for posting.

Pat

 

[M1A4ME]

Since this is a 686 thread. The revolver is in as good a shape as the box. Just don't have pics on imgur to share. I think I bought it in the early fall of 1981. Bought my 586 6" and a month later this one showed up on the shelf at the local store. My dad wanted it and kept it for many years. When I got it back 30 years later I also got both boxes of ammo minus 6 rounds he'd shot (probably right after he took it home, just to make sure it worked and hit where it was aimed.)

 

[Sevens]

i have a 686 no dash, no m. ser. ajv17xx,can not find anything about it in my 4th edition.

I would estimate this as spring or maybe early summer, 1986 production. Just a guess.