Any Significance to *Special* Marked Box Label for a 1086?

[TheSnail]

Hey guys, I know some of you all are experts with the 10mm 10XX Series and was hoping someone might have an answer to a question I had about it.

So yesterday I received a 1086 in the factory box that I got from a gun collector's estate. Since I got it from an estate sale, the history of this particular gun is forever lost with the previous owner.

I've done a decent amount of research on these and know they made 1660 of them. From what I have read, a good amount of them were sold to LE agencies. Most notably CHP and Winston Salem NC PD. I got two guns from the estate, a 1006 and a 1086. I called S&W customer service yesterday to see if they could give me some history on it. I inquired to see if it was originally sold to the FBI or LE, but the guy on the phone understandably refused to give me that kind of info. I then asked about the manufacture date, which they were able to provide. However, to my surprise they did not have a definitive date of manufacture for either gun, but rather a range of "Made sometime around 1990 or 1991". So unfortunately, I did not learn anything new from calling CS. Serial Number for my 1086 is TFK0976

So then I started to look for any differences between the 1086 I have and others I have found for sale online. The only difference that I have found is the other guns online have "DBL Action" under "features" on the box label. However mine under the "features" shows "**Special**".

Does anyone know what this **Special** means? I've heard agency's making special requests for these guns but I can't tell what is special about it. Possibly custom trigger weight? The barcode sticker also covers the box label. I was debating on picking at it and pealing it back to see if it is hiding any clues. Should I do that? I don't want to fubar anything if there is nothing behind it.

Is the **Special** designation of any significance from a collectors standpoint? The gun is not NIB, it has holster wear so it was carried at one point in its life. Also, next to the **Special** designation it has "Colson" hand written in pen. I don't know if that was a civilian purchasers last name or if it signifies something else.

Thanks

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Without physical evidence of any differences between your “Special” 1086, a letter of authenticity from the S & W Historical Foundation may help here.

 

[jsbethel]

It probably refers to factory night sights. Get those re-lamped by Trijicon. Unfortunately, the covered up SPEC ORD number on the label would give you a date.

 

[TheSnail]

Thanks for the warm welcome as well as the info fellas!

Do you guys think I should try to carefully peel back that barcode sticker?

 

[toddimusnimski]

Oooh, I would probably leave it as-is, but it you must, maybe try very gingerly with a blade from the top corner. The Spec Order code you need should be located below the "Finish" block. STOP if even the slightest hint of damage to the label below and call it good. Nice finds, and Welcome to the Forum!

Added: I would try calling the factory again. The reps should be able to do better than a year range - maybe the one you talked to was in a hurry and didn't take the time to dig very deeply.

Todd

 

[KurtC]

"Special" most likely indicates the request for night sights. "Colson" was most likely the officer it was issued to.

I would mess with the label.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Does anyone know what this **Special** means? I've heard agency's making special requests for these guns but I can't tell what is special about it.
I was debating on picking at it and pealing it back to see if it is hiding any clues.

I'll second the idea that the factory Night Sights are the reason for the **Special** annotation.

I've had good success lifting sticker labels over the factory labels by using a hair dryer to slowly warm up the top label's glue to reveal its secrets.

Congrats on your find!

.

 

[ACEd]

Most likely Product Code 106005 based on Barcode - not sure that helps, but might be worth asking SW if they can tell you anything about that product code. 106004 was 1990 Product Code for standard config, 108251 was Product Code for 1991-92 per literature. Logically 106005 might be 1990 Special with Night Sights as speculated.

As to the Special, that could also refer to the ability to fire with Mag removed (easy to check) which was not standard but was not uncommon on PD Special Orders.

I would email in a separate product Code query from Manufacture Date question which should be a simple look up function not requiring extra effort.

 

[GaryS]

IF I were going to try to remove the label, I'd probably heat it a bit with a hair drier.

That's IF I were going to try to remove the label.

 

[Jeppo]

Perhaps this is “Colson”.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

I have a 1086 that went to the INEL Idaho National Laboratory--Nuclear research area to serve with the security force. My letter just showed it going to a Gun dealer in Northern Utah and I was told I should try a freedom of information request to get more info. I did purchase it from a worker at the INEL. He was able to purchase it when they changed to a different firearm. My box is also marked **SPECIAL**. I hope everyone has a great 2024 Thanksgiving!

 

[DCW]

As one who enjoys intrigue, it's possible (not probable) that his 1086 was destined for Charles Colson who, as might some will remember, was an important part of the Richard Nixon administration, just about the time of Watergate and its profound impact on our national history.

However, one rushes to note that the Richard Nixon presidency, Chuck Colson and the S&W 1086 didn't cross "T's" or dot "I's" much less go down at the same time.

It'd take some detective work, for sure, but the reason behind those otherwise mundane firearms that go for five figures (or more) is, indeed, the detective work and connecting a hunk of metal to a prominent figure.

Later.

DC