differences in 60-9

[3daman!]

Recently I purchased a 60-9. It came with box and all papers, 2 sets of grips. The pistol shows no wear ,only a very faint cylinder ring. It has a high polish . Very clean.

Well I was looking at the values on that auction site, and noticed a couple of differences in mine and a couple that were listed for sale.

Mine has no engraving.

It looks as if the S&W logo on the frame, and the cartridge designation and maker name on the barrel were acid etched .

Looking at the listed guns ,they are definitely engrave/stamped.

Also,
My trigger and hammer are both colored as if case-hardend.

One of the listed guns looked to be MIM.

Mid year model changes?
Cheaper manufacturing costs?
Thanks in advance for any info and comments.....
DAVE
I also see a difference in the serial number location.
The others have the stamped # located on the bottom of the grip frame.
The one I'm holding has the # lasered on the side of the frame between the cylinder and the trigger. None on the grip frame bottom.

 

[3daman!]

Monday bump!
Does'nt anyone have any ideas?

 

[s&wchad]

Not all “improvements” warranted a change to the model designation. The 60-9 and 60-10 were produced concurrently with the engineering change level used to designate separate variations. MIM was phased in during their production.

My 60-10 was built a little later that your 60-9, but it shares some of the characteristics. The markings are etched and have virtually no depth. To make up for the easily obliterated serial number, they plastered it all over the gun (except on the butt). Later, the ATF ruled that serial numbers needed to be at least .003” deep, which ended this practice. Mine has an MIM trigger and hammer.

 

[GF]

That's odd... my 60-10 doesn't have the laser etching or the mulptule serial numbers. The barrel markings are deeper than the logo by the cylinder release. Yours doesn't have "smith & wesson" on the left side of the barrel either.

We have similar tastes in grips.

GF

 

[Person]

I have a 60-9 I picked up earlier this year and it has the deeper engravings but has a MIM hammer and trigger. These little differences in all the S&W models is what makes them so interesting.....

 

[pj151]

Same here-

 

[3daman!]

Thanks fellows , mine is like yours S&Wchad with the shorter barrel. Except more faint, like maybe they didnt burn it in deep . The logo on mine looks as if it could be polished off.
I think I prefer the rolled/stamped old style much better.......

 

[Sportsterguy]

That's odd... my 60-10 doesn't have the laser etching or the mulptule serial numbers. The barrel markings are deeper than the logo by the cylinder release. Yours doesn't have "smith & wesson" on the left side of the barrel either.

We have similar tastes in grips.

GF

The 60-10 I owned was marked like yours. Stamped, with no etching anywhere. Was a great revolver with .38's but a monster with .357's unless I was wearing my PAST glove and a set of Uncle Mike rubbers. Sold it to supplement my .41 collection. Neat mini 686.