Early Model 60 variants, 3" barrels, with new pics

[two-bit cowboy]

So what is it?

"It" is worth $100 for a letter.

 

[vrichard]

The revolver that made me ask about the early Model 60 3" in the first place, is the one I posted pics of above. More detailed description:

Model 60-1
Pinned 3" heavy barrel
s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)
Round butt
Ramp front sight
Notch rear sight
Small S&W trademark on left side
Narrow service hammer
Smooth combat trigger
Assembly numbers match
No obvious rework stamp
No date stamp on grip frame

It does not seem to match any of the special runs like Ashland or Jovino, or the reworked NYCPD version, or early Lady Smith version of 1989.

So what is it?

I kind of remember that there were appr.200 made.They are a
high $ S&W now.
Dick

 

[Bhfromme]

My 60-15 is an enigma as well. S&W made so many changes to the Model 60 over the years that even the authors of the SWSC seemed to have trouble keeping it all straight.

 

[murphydog]

The revolver that made me ask about the early Model 60 3" in the first place, is the one I posted pics of above. More detailed description:

Model 60-1
Pinned 3" heavy barrel
s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)
Round butt
Ramp front sight
Notch rear sight
Small S&W trademark on left side
Narrow service hammer
Smooth combat trigger
Assembly numbers match
No obvious rework stamp
No date stamp on grip frame

It does not seem to match any of the special runs like Ashland or Jovino, or the reworked NYCPD version, or early Lady Smith version of 1989.

So what is it?

Missed this thread on the first go-around.

Two possibilities that come to mind. Given the serial number, it could be a hard chromed model 36-1 that was somehow mis-stamped as a 60-1. The other option would be a very early 3" model 60, but this would have been six years before anyone at the factory would have thought of making this (-1) engineering change.

Did you wind up getting a letter?

 

[dnater]

The way the barrel rib doesn't match up with the frame, my impression is the barrel is a replacement. Red ramp also points to custom work/modifications.

 

[viceunit]

The way the barrel rib doesn't match up with the frame, my impression is the barrel is a replacement. Red ramp also points to custom work/modifications.

I had to pull out my 36-1 HB 3" and believe you are correct in the barrel/frame relationship. No beveled frame corners on the 3".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[colt_saa]

This one is only about 25 years old.

This is product code 102432. It is called the "Small Hunter"

182 of these were produced for Lew Horton Distributors back in 1997. The revolver originally shipped with Uncle Mikes rubber finger groove grips

I put the Factory rosewood grips on it after buying it

 

[PeteC]

I did not get a letter, no. I was hoping someone else with the same gun would pop up sooner or later, and then I moved on to something else (odd little strays seem to just find me, not out looking for them, lol).

From what I have been reading the lead time for a letter is very long right now and even memberships are not getting processed very quickly (mine seems to be lost in space, and I am thinking of just resubmitting it). I think I can wait until they catch up,

 

[PeteC]

The way the barrel rib doesn't match up with the frame, my impression is the barrel is a replacement. Red ramp also points to custom work/modifications.

That is an excellent catch and good feedback!

The serial number does not have the R prefix, so the frame is from before 1969, but the frame is ALSO stamped 60-1.

Neglecting the 3" barrel for the moment:

- Model 60-1 stamped behind the crane
- Round butt frame
- s/n 516xxx (no "R" prefix)

Thanks, and I will post some better pics this weekend.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Quite the intriguing puzzle, Pete.

I think dnater caught something very important. That frame appears to have been made for a 2" lightweight barrel.

There was a second run of Model 60-1s with round butts and 2" barrels, but that wasn't till 1985 (the year after the Jovino square butts) so still not pinned. Those 660 Chiefs Special Target Models for Ashland Shooters Supply had the typical 2" target model shark fin front sight and an adjustable rear sight.

Please keep digging. As that '80s tv ad suggested, "Inquiring minds want to know."

 

[PeteC]

Quite the intriguing puzzle, Pete....

I swear I am not out there looking for mysteries to solve, or one-of firearms. They follow me home, sometimes,

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I swear I am not out there looking for mysteries to solve, or one-of firearms. They follow me home, sometimes,

Last week as I was stalking the auction sites I saw a stainless steel Chiefs Special that had originally been marked "60-1," and the "1" was over-stamped with a "0". Wish I had saved the link. I can't find it now. It was a 2" round butt.

There's always a surprise in the S&W cereal box. Feel lucky you find 'em.

 

[PeteC]

...There's always a surprise in the S&W cereal box. Feel lucky you find 'em.

I am slowly learning that. This thread was originally supposed to be an invitation for other people to post some of their early M-60 versions, not so much a "what have I got here" thread

(I changed the grips since I started this thread, to accommodate my fat fingers)

More detailed pics for the real experts:

 

[two-bit cowboy]

This thread was... not so much a "what have I got here"

I like the challenge of trying to figure out "what is it?" I believe many here do.