Can’t quite figure this one out…

[Tom Garrett]

Hi y’all. I picked up a nice square butt model 60 no dash. Serial is AEU9
XXX. No adjustable sights, should be a mid 60s gun. Not. No pin, L side small logo. Confused. Guess I’m just looking for an approximate date of birth. Can’t figure out anything with the 5th edition S&W bible.

 

[Retired W4]

The pinned barrel was deleted in 1982. The AEU prefix suggests 1984 manufacture.

I'm guessing it's a mis-marked 60-1.

 

[Tom Garrett]

The pinned barrel was deleted in 1982. The AEU prefix suggests 1984 manufacture.

I'm guessing it's an mis-marked 60-1.

Yeah, that’s why i was confused.

 

[Retired W4]

Mis-stamped model markings are not that uncommon on S&W's.

 

[Dump1567]

The only Sq. Butt Model 60 in 3 inch that I'm aware of are the ones ordered by Jovino's out of NY. And as mentioned, I believe the years these came out, they should be a -#. But I believe they are all just marked model 60 (mine is). There was a 1,000 3" & a 1,000 2" inch made for Jovino's to sell.

I found one in my local shop a few months ago and did the research. Here the one I have (dates to 1985) and the original ad. These are desirable guns due to the limited supply. But I don't know if that would bring a premium in price.

 

[Tom Garrett]

The only Sq. Butt Model 60 in 3 inch that I'm aware of are the ones ordered by Jovino's out of NY. And as mentioned, I believe the years these came out, they should be a -#. But I believe they are all just marked model 60 (mine is). There was a 1,000 3" & a 1,000 2" inch made for Jovino's to sell.

I found one in my local shop a few months ago and did the research. Here the one I have (dates to 1985) and the original ad. These are desirable guns due to the limited supply. But I don't know if that would bring a premium in price.

View attachment 781447

View attachment 781450

Thank you very much. I knew J frame square butts were not common, but i didn’t think they’d be a run of 1000. I appreciate the information sir!

 

[HeloMt]

Yep, if it's a Jovino they do bring a premium. They initially did 600, 2 inch, then 1000, 3 inch guns. There is a 2 inch in the classified sale section currently. Generally, if they are excellent to nib, with box and paperwork, they'll go north of $1000.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Date of manufacturer of Serial is AEU9 S&W Model 60

Based on the information available, the
Smith & Wesson Model 60 with serial number AEU9 is a part of the J-frame series. Smith & Wesson started using a 3-letter prefix followed by numbers for serial numbers after the mid-1980s. The Model 60 was first introduced in 1965 and is still in production in 2025.
To pinpoint the exact date of manufacture for the revolver with serial number AEU9, you would likely need to:

1. Check the Smith & Wesson website: Some manufacturers have a serial number lookup tool that allows you to input the number and retrieve information, including the manufacturing date.
2. Contact Smith & Wesson directly: Their customer service or historian department might be able to provide the specific date of manufacture based on the serial number, according to Quora.
3. Consult the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson": This reference book often contains detailed information about different models and serial number ranges.
4. Utilize online forums or collector communities: Members of these communities may have access to information or resources that could help determine the manufacturing date.

 

[Retired W4]

I have Jovino Special, AEU8922, shipped December 7, 1984. As you can see in my letter there were 500 units in this order. I have the complete list of SN's in the order. The Jovino is pictured with some other special model 60's

 

[Detective20]

Yeah, that’s why i was confused.

The first three inch model 60 was marked as a 60-1 because it was exactly like the 36-1 three inch but made in stainless steel. It was manufactured in 1972. Only 171 were made and 169 were sold. The second three inch model 60 was the Jovinco 60's when Jovinco ordered 1000 of these three inch 60's in 1984. They were the AEU and AEV shipped in 1984 and the AEW shipped in 1985 which finished the Jovinco order. Jovinco got Smith & Wesson to issue these three inch 60's as no dashes

Smith & Wesson had previously made a 60 no dash starting in 1965 but only in the two inch barrel. These two-inch handguns had the slimmer barrel. The first three inch model 60 had a heavier barrel than the three inch 36 no dash. I have both the model 60-1 and all three Jovinco serial prefix handguns in my collection. I have a Smith & Wesson letter on my AEU and have seen letters on the other ones. My interest in these handguns was from my carrying a 36 no dash for many years as a plainclothes deputy sheriff and later as a police detective


The Gun Digest Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson has the Jovinco 3 inch produced in 1988. which is an error.. I sent Jim Supica a copy of my Smith & Wesson letter on my AEU and he replied back to me that he will change it to 1984 in the next addition.

 

[Retired W4]

One of the 171 Special Test Rum model 60-1's is pictured above with the Jovino special and 2 Ashland Shooter Supply target sighted 60's.