Frankengun Model 65

[roundels]

I have a pinned 4" Model 65-2 that is chambered in .38 instead of .357, and it appears to have come that way from the factory. Anyone else seen this?

 

[ColdBlueSteel]

Only in a Taurus.

A S&W model 65 in .38 special? Never.

Interesting, got any pics?

 

[roundels]

I don't have any pix, but it looks exactly like an M64 until you open the cylinder and read the model # on the frame. 20 years ago Roy Jinks told me that I could send it back for a restamp, but without ordering a research letter he could only tell me the manufacture date (it was sometime in the 70s if I remember right).

Edit: 1979 was the mfg. date-

 

[M1Lover]

OT with apologies: Brian, here's an avatar alternative:

 

[roundels]

Here are a few shots from my cell phone camera-I tried to take a clear picture of the model # but they all came out blurry

 

[ColbyBruce]

Probably just a mis-stamped frame. If you look at my two #64's below you will see the short cylinder and how far back the barrel sits in the frame, which is identical to your gun. Then look at the second photo, my #65, notice the longer cylinder and shorter barrel/frame correlation.

 

[roundels]

It is a misstamp-just curious as to why. S&W doesn't usually make mistakes like this, especially back in the day. I do have a theory, but I'm waiting to see if anyone else comes up with the same idea before I post it...

 

[Muley Gil]

"S&W doesn't usually make mistakes like this, especially back in the day."

Well, maybe. I've seen a number of misstamped frames and several 1955 Target revolvers that were stamped "Model of 1950" on the barrel.

 

[CaptMac]

Model 65

Without seeing it the first thing that comes to my mind is that carbon biuld up in the chambers because of firing lots and lots of .38 Spl 148 gr wadcutters, and over time .357 Mag round wont chamber in the cylinder. I saw that happen a lot in the 1970's when most agencies were not shooting service anno for training and even qual. Unless an officer would use a good "dry" bore brush on those cylinder chambers the build up would happen pretty quick.

 

[Camster]

"S&W doesn't usually make mistakes like this, especially back in the day."

Well, maybe. I've seen a number of misstamped frames and several 1955 Target revolvers that were stamped "Model of 1950" on the barrel.

I'm going with the misstamped frame thing.Comparative photos of both models confirm it for me.
It wouldn't be the first mismarking that we've seen here.

 

[Cooter Brown]

The roll stamp on the barrel looks like it says 38 Special, so it's a mismarked model number, right?

 

[jaysouth]

One lives and learns(if you are lucky).

I once had a 686 chambered in .38 special. Brazilian export. Familiar refrain, "I sure wish I had kept that and the 5906 Militar model in black finish".
I would spend the money to get a letter on this one.

 

[hsguy]

It is a misstamp-just curious as to why. S&W doesn't usually make mistakes like this, especially back in the day. I do have a theory, but I'm waiting to see if anyone else comes up with the same idea before I post it...

Mismarked S&W's are not all that uncommon, I have seen a few. They come up for sale on occasion on some of the auction sites usually marked as rare or one of a kind with very high starting prices. The guns usually languish unsold for months as there is little collector interest in them. I have seen guns that were misstamped or the original stamping over-struck to match the model the gun was sold as. I always felt that if S&W received an order for a particular gun and did not have the correct frame on hand it would use an identical frame marked for a different model if available. Another possibilty was that it just slipped by an inspector. No telling what S&W may have done, there are many odd guns they made. Here is a Model 19 marked 38 Special that chambers 357 Mag..

 

[Chromedhearts]

I think it may have been ordered that way by the French police. Wink,nod.

 

[roundels]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I might just spring for a letter as soon as I have a spare fifty

That Model 19 is pretty neat, by the way...

 

[mg357]

i agree its gotta be a frame that was stamped wrong thats the only answer that makes any sense.

 

[roundels]

Frankengun model 65

I understand the one that got away effect only too well, jaysouth. In what may rank as one of my most colossal blunders, I was once offered a spanking new Browning Hi-Power with a factory aluminum frame and I let it get away. I think the dealer wanted something like $200.00 for it because everyone thought it was a knockoff (it wasn't). Ouch!

Don't even get me started on all the now-vanished Smiths I've either passed up or sold/traded off, either. I just might cry

 

[vipermd]

38 /357

One lives and learns(if you are lucky).

I once had a 686 chambered in .38 special. Brazilian export. Familiar refrain, "I sure wish I had kept that and the 5906 Militar model in black finish".
I would spend the money to get a letter on this one.

Jay- I had a NIB 686 2 1/2 in 38 spl, approx 157 were in this country. I sold it for 800$ 6 yrs ago.

 

[vipermd]

It might have been a special order for a LE Dept?

 

[roundels]

That's what my suspicions are regarding my Model 65. Anyone remember the political hoopla back in the 70s surrounding cops carrying those nasty .357 Magnums? Seems to me that .38 Special-chambered but .357 heat treated revolvers that could shoot +p and +p+LE only loads all day long would be just the things for a conscientious but politically appointed chief to issue to his or her officers-stealth stoppers, maybe?