Another model 66 question

[saemetric]

I bought my 6” model 66 in February of 1978. The serial number is 35K1984. The dealer I bought it from said it was one of the first 6” models available as a regular production model. Always wondered if that was true.

Does anyone here have an early 6” model 66 to compare with mine?

 

[torizus]

According to SCSW 4th edition, (p489) 35K prefix shows 1978/79

 

[rubiranch]

In 1978 the 6" became a catalog item. Prior to then a 6" barrel was a special order.

In 1977 they changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder which changed the M66 to a M66-1.

 

[saemetric]

Mine has the gas ring on the cylinder, but frame is stamped MOD66 with no dash. Box is likewise labeled M66-

 

[snw19_357]

There's not too many lower than that. The lowest serial number I've come across is a 35K03xx.
Even though they had the gas ring on the cylinder, all the 6" M66 in the 35K's were marked MOD. 66 with the 66-1 showing up at 36K.

 

[snake803]

i have 9 K 999xx.....
What is it???
JIM................

 

[colt_saa]

I have one of the 200 that were special ordered for the Rhode Island State Police

The Order shipped in 1977, my revolver is 9K70xxx.

Aside from the special order barrel length, the revolver has a factory installed lanyard loop. Before all of the revolvers in this order saw service, the RISP switched to the 4" revolvers.

 

[snw19_357]

There were a couple 6" special orders in the 9K's, the R.I.S.P. being one of them.

Check out 1982 Journal 14-1 for an article on another.

 

[Vettepartz]

I have a 1978 model that has the 6 1/8" barrel. The SCSW book mentions this unusual barrel length. You might want to measure yours.

 

[saemetric]

My 1978 model 66 mentioned above has a 6 1/8” bbl.

 

[Vettepartz]

to the OP - what is it that you want to "compare"?

 

[saemetric]

to the OP - what is it that you want to "compare"?

“Compare” was not the best word choice. I was looking for the answer in post#5 by snw19-357. Was interested in how early in the serial number 35K range the 6” bbl. appeared.

 

[fdover]

66-1 6 1/8" barrel SN 50K3298

I have the above revolver purchased 3/1980 from a detective of the Inglewood CA PD. They were changing over to the Model 66 and each officer was allowed to purchase 3 revolvers including their service revolver. I looked at another officer's 2 1/2" but it was poorly made. I decided on the 6 1/8" (just measured this AM). Box and all paper/cleaning came with it. Not shot much, but fun to shoot. I have not lettered this but Roy said it did not go the PD originally but to a distributor.