Black 686-3

[chrisbstokes]

I initially looked over what I assumed was a very well worn 586 in the local gun store's cabinet earlier today. Out of curiosity I asked the clerk if I could take a look at it and to my surprise it is marked as a 686-3.

Long story short I bought it thinking maybe some previous owner had spray painted it or something and I could easily remove the paint in the ultrasonic.

After some research this afternoon I found that Smith & Wesson actually produced some midnight black 686-3's in '88/89.

I am a bit concerned that removing the finish may be a bit tougher than I anticipated. Any suggestions?

I will try to post some pictures when I get home from work this evening.

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys on the forum can provide.

 

[H Richard]

If I recall correctly that finish is similar to an industrial hard chrome (but black) finish, and very hard and wear resistant. It will probably take some very professional work. If the finish isn't that bad I would leave it alone. From a collector point, it is worth a lot more even with a worn finish if original.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

If it is original why remove it?

 

[chrisbstokes]

 

[chrisbstokes]

As you can see in the pictures the finish is badly worn. I don't know if it's an original finish or someone's poor attemp at a cold blue.

 

[dmthomp32]

Has a nice "distressed" look that all the kids pay top dollar for these days! I'd say list it on GunBroker with that in the caption and you'll probably double your money! Lol

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[murphydog]

You would probably have to pay for a letter of authenticity if you want to confirm it is one of the factory black 686s. If you can post the SN prefix we might be check if any of the known ones are close by.

That finish and metal are pretty well trashed. You want want to factor in the cost of a refinish (and check if the factory will redo it) before buying it. Good luck in your decision.

 

[ontargetagain]

I would want it just how it is. That is patina that you can't re-produce. I'd find a way to put a low lustre seal to it and leave it!
Aged beauty in its own way! The right side of the gun is perfect
Have you pulled the side cover yet and looked to see what lurks below??
What a fun project............\
Karl

 

[Eddietruett]

If it is original finish, would it be covered under warranty in any way or could S&W refinish it back to original. I've only seen one at a gun show a year or two back and it was beautiful.

 

[brucev]

Possibly S&W will refinish it. If not, consider having it glass bead blasted. That would almost certainly remove the degraded finish. Then it would not be hard to either polish the revolver in the normal manner or else use a satin stainless finish. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[chrisbstokes]

Any recommendations for someone to bead blast it?

 

[oysterer]

smooth over with Flitz, Ren Wax and leave it. It never gets better messing with it. Nice shooter

 

[muddocktor]

Any recommendations for someone to bead blast it?

You could send it back to S&W to get it refinished you know. Plus, they will go through it and check it out and tune it up too. They can do a bead bast finish or shiny finish, your preference.

Here is a link for their gunsmithing services for you: S&W gunsmithing

 

[JamesArthur60]

That has real character. Personally, I would load it and keep shooting it as is. Call S&W for the year of manufacture and ask their opinion on the finish and/or warranty possibilities.

 

[chrisbstokes]

Bead blasted and changed out the grips for some old customized an refinished targets that I had in the parts drawer.

 

[murphydog]

Looks good! It may be a good idea to put a coat of wax on it; the factory does a process called "passivation" that inhibits rust formation on stainless guns, which is removed with bead blasting or polishing. Enjoy!

 

[Mehutch]

Now that is cool, well done. Life in the old girl after all.

 

[notsofast]

Looks good much improved. If that is a raw metal finish maybe some type of protectorate should be applied. How soon to launch?

 

[woodsltc]

I had one of the "Black" 686-3's years ago and traded it for a 5" 27-2, IIRC. But I do remember researching the Black 686's and the consensus was that the finish was quite fragile and prone to wear off easily.....which seems to be confirmed by your first photos.

These models didn't sell well and combined with the fragile finish there was no incentive for S&W to continue production. I think there was something like 5,000 total four & six inch models that were made.

BTW, I like the bead-blast look. And you still have a really great shooter in the 686.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

Don

 

[Fishinfool]

Looks nice OP. Back in the early 1980's I was with the CSP when they issued model 66's with a "Blackened" finish. Don't know if it the same finish used on your 686, but as used on the 66's, it was NOT durable, and a lot of relatively new guns looked pretty bad after a couple years use. I took advantage of carrying my blued model 586 instead of the 66, and its finish held up a lot better than the blackened guns did.

Larry