A Forty Year Model 66

[sandwtrader]

Early 66

I have M66 SN K949187, numbered 47 after yours. Silver box, and all. Got a letter from Roy saying the guns started at 949100 so we got REALLY early guns. Funny thing though. Shipments started in 1971 and mine shipped in 1975. 4 year shelf life. S&W did NOT ship in numerical sequence! Love model 66's

 

[H.Callahan]

I wonder if the stainless sights had anything to do with the early days stainless guns -- when it was a novelty. I can remember magazine gun writers in the 1970s taking stainless guns (and the 66 was a prime candidate) and throwing them in lakes, burying them in mud, throwing them in boat bilges and all manner hostile environments and then recovering them after a period of time, hosing them off and seeing if they would fire (didn't read an article where it didn't). I'll bet the stainless sights where in response to this kind of abuse that seemed to be rampant at the time.

 

[TDC]

A fabulous picture and informative thread on the early Mod.66. In addition to Doc 44's vast knowledge another moderator has done extensive research on the Mod. 66 revolvers. snw19_357 has compiled a ton of info on these guns for those who may be seeking some additional facts.

For those who may be interested I've added a picture showing a different angle and sight picture common with that seen with the all stainless sights. Hope this adds something....

 

[Rimbaud]

Doc44- Was there any sort of finish restoration done to your 66? It looks so perfect...

 

[Doc44]

Rimbaud...the finish is original, no restoration or polishing.

Bill

 

[Doc44]

sandwtrader...Your 66 and mine were kept by the factory until being shipped in 1975. As I understand it, many of the prototype 66s were used for special purposes and demonstration guns until being shipped several years after they were made.

Bill

 

[Flint Ridge]

sandwtrader...Your 66 and mine were kept by the factory until being shipped in 1975. As I understand it, many of the prototype 66s were used for special purposes and demonstration guns until being shipped several years after they were made.

Bill

Amazing info. I've always marveled at the condition of yours. Do you think it has a higher level of finish and detail work given its original use?

 

[Doc44]

The "prototype" Model 66s and 629s (made in 1978) have a finish that is a little nicer than the production guns. The 66s also have a target hammer and the 629s have a target trigger that is 0.500 inch wide, rather than 0.400 inch that is on the production guns.

Bill

 

[Old cop]

My 4" M66 is one of my favorite shooters. Thanks for sharing, nice gun!

 

[peepaw]

That's a beauty Doc.

 

[Decker]

I'll add my small contribution to this Model 66, 4" barrel thread.
I have a Model 66 snubby as well (I think it's a 66-3 but don't recall for sure until I look at it again), but this one below is one I bought brand new many, many years ago but can't recall exactly when.
I'm not even sure if I've ever fired it, but don't think I have. The wear ring on the cylinder is very slight and is likely from just handling and showing it to friends.

It's interesting that this one doesn't have the handwritten label on either end of the box that denotes extra features such as "dash" number or whatever.
But this is definitely a "no dash" pistol (just the "66" on the crane).
The serial number is 2K8219*, and I note that others often don't have a number in front of the K in the serial number, but I have no clue when this was made. I only know that I bought it new, but memory does not serve me well as to the year (or even the decade for that matter ).

So here she be:

 

[deserttrans]

Fantastic....

 

[Decker]

Fantastic....

I guess I should finish the story...

The very first handgun I EVER bought was a Model 19 w/6" barrel because when I turned 21 many decades ago, I just had to have a "Combat Magnum" before considering any other pistol. So I bought one, brand new over the counter, at, of all places, Montgomery Wards back when they had gun counters (and still in business).
Still have it and even though fired, it still looks "NIB" with all the paperwork. Now it's just a safe queen.

Fast forward a bit, and when I found out that the Combat Magnum was available in stainless, I knew I had to add to the collection, so I bought this brand new 4" Model 66you see above, and later bought a 2-1/2 snubby Model 66 at a gun show (unfired condition, but no box so the price was right).

So my first handgun ever being a Model 19 led to "the rest of the story" with a couple more 66's being added just because they're so darn purty.

I've got several Pythons and Dan Wessons as well, but there's just something about a K frame being "my first" that makes them more special to me than all the rest.

If a person can't love a K frame Smith, then they should take up a different hobby. Like knitting...

 

[TDC]

I'll add my small contribution to this Model 66, 4" barrel thread.
I have a Model 66 snubby as well (I think it's a 66-3 but don't recall for sure until I look at it again), but this one below is one I bought brand new many, many years ago but can't recall exactly when.
I'm not even sure if I've ever fired it, but don't think I have. The wear ring on the cylinder is very slight and is likely from just handling and showing it to friends.

It's interesting that this one doesn't have the handwritten label on either end of the box that denotes extra features such as "dash" number or whatever.
But this is definitely a "no dash" pistol (just the "66" on the crane).
The serial number is 2K8219*, and I note that others often don't have a number in front of the K in the serial number, but I have no clue when this was made. I only know that I bought it new, but memory does not serve me well as to the year (or even the decade for that matter ).

So here she be:

Beautiful early 66, Decker, and a somewhat unusual one at that... An original owner, ANIB, no-dash 66 4" is becoming very rare and one in its original shipped condition, with box, tools, etc., equally uncommon.

Two things on your 66 caught my eye and hopefully Doc 44 can enlighten us all on these issues. I'm the original owner of my no-dash guns as well and that gives us a chance to analyze these guns as they were actually delivered.

About midway through the no-dash Mod. 66 production run S&W changed from all stainless sights to a red ramp with an all black rear sight assembly.

Yours has a Red Ramp with a black blade and a black wind-age adjustment screw but the rest of the sight assembly appears stainless. I've not seen a lower serial numbered (2K range) factory original 66 like yours configured in that manner. I'm wondering if the box label has an indication of these items.

If not, perhaps Doc 44 would provide a clarification or opinion...

Anyway, congratulations on not only making wise choices "back in the day", but keeping them all these years...

Thanks!

 

[Doc44]

With S&W anything is possible, but I would guess the blue rear sight blade is a replacement for the original stainless blade. The red ramp may be original or was installed at the time the blade was changed.

If the box in the picture is original, the end label would be marked for a red ramp and may mention the blue rear sight blade as a special feature. If the label does not indicate these features, they are most likely modifications made after the revolver was shipped.

The 66 was probably shipped in the second year, 1972, so all stainless sights were "standard" when it was made.

Bill

 

[Decker]

With S&W anything is possible, but I would guess the blue rear sight blade is a replacement for the original stainless blade. The red ramp may be original or was installed at the time the blade was changed.

If the box in the picture is original, the end label would be marked for a red ramp and may mention the blue rear sight blade as a special feature. If the label does not indicate these features, they are most likely modifications made after the revolver was shipped.

The 66 was probably shipped in the second year, 1972, so all stainless sights were "standard" when it was made.

Bill

If you're referring to my 66 above, the "with S&W, anything is possible" applies because while I don't recall exactly the date I bought the pistol, I do remember that I bought it brand new over-the-counter at a gun store here in Houston (Carter's Country).

It's still exactly as I bought it from the store's "stock", and I do find it interesting that the original box shown never had a stick-on, hand notated label showing the serial number or details of options.
The "label" you do see isn't a label at all, but is printed directly on the end of the box in the same silver color printing as the hash mark border on the box top. There are no other labels or markings on the box anywhere, and no indications at all that there ever was (no torn away area or shadow area; just fresh looking "blue box".

But I know for sure that this wasn't a modified pistol (by me or the store) because it was just one of the regular stock they got in during that time, and 1972 does sound "about right" for when I would have bought it.
I recall handling one that was under the glass counter, and when I said I wanted one, the salesman put that one back and went and got a "fresh" one from stock in a backroom which is the one you see above.

So here we have yet another "S&W anything possible" mystery as to why it is fitted the way it is and why there is no stick-on label on the box.

 

[PhilOhio]

Fascinating thread, which has made me appreciate my Model 66 more than before. I have the twin to the gun in Doc44's picture, with stainless rear sight and trigger stop.

I wanted one of these when they first were coming out, so I went to my Washington, D.C. dealer to order one. I wanted a round butt, but found that was not available. I was about to leave in connection with a Far East government job for a few years, and only had a short time to wait for the gun. The dealer said he was about to receive one, special ordered for an FBI agent working in Washington, but that I had priority; the other guy could wait awhile.

Well, the 66 came, but due to complexities, I never took it with me; took a 1911A1 instead, because ammo for it would be more easily available where I was going.

I haven't shot the 66 a lot, but it is a really nice revolver, and now I realize it is a less than common variation. Once I contemplated buying round butt grips and modifying the frame for them. Now I'm glad I didn't.

I guess the longer you keep just about any vintage Smith, the more you like it.

 

[JP@AK]

What a treasure, Doc!
Thanks for sharing a picture of this beauty.
JP

 

[JIMBO1950]

I recently ran across a 66 at a gun show and had to have it!! Serial 4k511xx. It is 71 i think.it has trigger stop,recessed cyl bores and stainless sights. like new condition with box for 600.00,not a bad deal,i would say!!

 

[shoe41]

New to the forum and have read many post's and am impressed on the knowledge of so many members. I have aquired a S&W model 19-4 357magnum with a 2.5 barrel from my father in law that passed away, the serial number of 28k2978 is on the bottom of the grip, any info such as date of manufacture would be greatly appreciated.