Couple 586's and a 686...

[Xfuzz]

On the coast and away from "The Book".
For you L frame guys would these be considered as
first year productions ? 1980-81.

 

[cptdco]

First thing I notice is no S&W logo visible on the left side…I had a 581 and a 681 like that and always associate it with the earliest run. I've never seen a 686 or 586 with the roll mark on the left.
Beautiful. My 581 was AAA prefex and the 681 was AAB (I think) prefex and I believe they were both first year production

 

[CH4]

Here are three of my (above and right) 586/686, all have the roll mark on the left side, as do most of my later Smiths.

4" 586 AJY5664 "M"
2.5" 686-4 plus
2.5" 686-3

 

[toddimusnimski]

They all look great! Here is what the 4th edition has to say:

586, Page 296: "Production of this model marks the first use of the 3 letter 4 digit serial numbering system starting with AAA0001 to AAA0094 and again from AAA790 to AAA2005 and AAA4868 to AAB2203 in June of 1980.....Produced circa 1980-1999."

686, Page 322: "Although examples are known in the AAA serial range, regular production begins at serial prefix AAD, with the lowest known early production in s/n range AAA0095-AAA0789. Manufactured 1980-date."

Todd

Forgot to add Page 491:
1980 - AAA
1981 - AAA, AAB, AAD, AAC, ACH

 

[ladder13]

Great score Howie!

 

[Xfuzz]

Todd,
Many Thanks.

 

[Nightowl]

My 586 with AAA92xx shipped in June 1981. It has the logo on the right side.

 

[lppd4]

I have 4" and 6" examples of the 586 and the 686 they are great guns

 

[ODB]

586, Page 296: "Production of this model marks the first use of the 3 letter 4 digit serial numbering system starting with AAA0001 to AAA0094 and again from AAA790 to AAA2005 and AAA4868 to AAB2203 in June of 1980.....Produced circa 1980-1999."

Just trying to be clear on the serial number vs DOM range. Your statement above listing AAA0001 through AAB2203 would all seem to be between January and June of 1980?

Forgot to add Page 491:
1980 - AAA
1981 - AAA, AAB, AAD, AAC, ACH

Then your added info, would seem to put at least some of the AAA numbers in the 1981-time frame? I see Nightowl added his AAA92XX shipped in June of '81, which would correspond w/your added info.
Ultimately, just trying to nail down the DOM/shipping date of my 586 ND AAA72XX.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I pretty much copied all available info word for word, but when you notice they had written things like "AAA790 to AAA2005" you know that typos are possible (assumed it meant AAA0790). I suppose only a call to S&W can truly confirm. I've been on the phone with them before, list in hand, going one after the other to get the info. A few times they questioned whether or not I gave the right number but when I verified, they managed to find it.

Todd

 

[woodsltc]

Here's an early 586 that I bought quite a few years ago, serial number AAA6287.

I have the original target stocks (kept in my stock collection) that are really nice cocobolo with some outstanding grain. The stocks in the pic are some I found on eBay a few years back that I like the look of.....they are presentation targets that someone did a nice job of modifyng with some checkering.

Don

 

[S&W Fan]

Shown this one before, my late dad's 686 prefix AAB that he bought new in Sept. 1981. I have the box, all accessories and the receipt.