686 crane information

[gc45]

Can someone tell me what these numbers/letters mean? They are what is shown inside the crane of a 686 but are a mystery to me. Thanks!

 

[Sevens]

It’s a common question. They are assembly numbers that assist them in keeping parts together during different finishing processes inside the factory. Once the revolver is assembled and shipped, they no longer have any relevance to anything.

Also… S&W folks call this part a yoke and it’s those crazy Colt folks that call it a crane.

 

[gc45]

Having both I always thought of it as the crane. yoke works for me..So are these 686's not marked somewhere with the dash numbers, after the initial 686's stopped production?

 

[Sevens]

Yes, should be marked with a dash number right after the 686 that you see. Over the years the dash number has most typically NOT been noted on the box end label, although I have it seen it with the dash-6 variant.

They made quite a large run of the 686 no dash so if you aren’t seeing a dash-3 or dash-4 or whatever, then you’ve almost surely got a no-dash.

 

[H Richard]

The S/N and dash # are marked on the Frame, not the Yoke. Of course, also the base of the grip frame.