New to S&W forum, looking for some help with my X-mas gift to myself, it is a 8 3/8" model 686 in .357 magnum. Right side of frame says American Traditions, under yolk says MOD 686 (w/ no dash). Serial # on frame ADW 7xxx, it has a second serial # on yolk. On the inside of the right grip it says APR 17 198(8), and on the bottom of the frame it has the ADW sn but right above that on the left side of the frame it has the same number as the inside of the yolk. My lgs got this in a few weeks ago and had some questions about it, wondering about the authenticity of it, they contacted Smith, Smith seemed interested, they said they sent someone up to look at it, but they where closed that day. I would love some more info on my new handgun. I don't know everything about guns, but I do know a fair bit, and this seemed like a hopeful collectible and a good deal.
American Traditions 686?
- Thread starter wildbill755
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Does it have a dash number?
That is a super nice gun. Did anyone tell you about the 'M' modification?
That is a super nice gun. Did anyone tell you about the 'M' modification?
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
That would put the ship date in the March to June 1984 time frame. Appropriate for a no-dash M686. If the stocks are stamped "1988" they are period-correct but not original to this gun.
S&W recalled M686 no-dash and dash-1 guns to correct a problem with certain brands of soft primers flowing back into the firing pin hole causing the action to lock up. The recall is still in effect and S&W will modify your gun for free and pay shipping both ways.
To determine if your M686 is already so modified open the cylinder and look on the crane where the model number is stamped. If you see a "M" or "M2" stamped there the gun has already been modified. If not, you can send it back, though some owners do prefer to keep them unmodified. It's your choice.
OP
It has no 'M', I think I'll keep it unmodified. my bigger question is about the eagle and 'American Tradition' on the right side of the frame. My google-foo is strong, but alas I have not found anything about an engraved eagle or 'American Tradition'. I have heard some mention from a S&W collector or 2 along the way, perhaps in books, but the internet is coming up short. One theory is it is 'performance center' before 'performance center' became 'performance center'. And the date inside the grip, I think is 88, but the last number is difficult to read, could be 86 or even 85.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Regarding the 'American Tradition' markings. S&W has made all kinds of similarly marked guns with differing themes over the years. For example, I saw one recently, similar but not identical, that was made for a series of gun raffles some organization held back in the '80's. Apparently, they contracted with S&W (or one of it's distributors) for 100 otherwise standard guns with a little logo on the side, just to set it apart for their fund raising project.
It's interesting and it is a unique variation, but it doesn't add a lot of value in my experience. In fact, it's kind of a turn-off for some buyers. I don't think it's pre-PC PC gun either, there's nothing to indicate that. No special features or finish. No me it looks like a standard production line gun.
It's interesting and it is a unique variation, but it doesn't add a lot of value in my experience. In fact, it's kind of a turn-off for some buyers. I don't think it's pre-PC PC gun either, there's nothing to indicate that. No special features or finish. No me it looks like a standard production line gun.
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