Frankenstein 66-1-2

[No Quarter]

I just picked up what I thought was going to be a 2.5" 66-1. To my surprise it is a 66-1 with a restrike over the "1" with a "2". The gun has a pinned barrel but no recessed cylinder. Serial # 96K98xx, indicates the frame was produced in 1981.

Blackened rear sight blade. Action is perfect with a nice trigger pull. Timing and lockup are wonderful, barrel gap is nice and tight as well. Only other odd thing is the side plate sits proud by a tiny bit to the top of the channel where the hammer is at (not sure what that area is called"). The rest of the side plate fits perfectly and does not appear to be monkeyed with. Just odd, though I have seen old smiths with weirdly fitted yokes that also stick out in odd ways. It is a first to me to see that part of the sideplate sticking out like that.

It does not look to have been fired much, at least not with magnums. If anyone else has seen any similar sideplate shenanigans or other restrikes, I would appreciate your comments.

 

[bronco45]

Restrikes are fairly common. But the sideplate is a first and I've been carrying, collecting and selling Smiths for 55 years. I would take a photo and send it to Smith and see what they will do to correct that. It appears to me to be an attempt to fit a L frame or possibly N frame sideplate on that Smith. Keep me informed on what you do with that weapon. Please!

 

[DETROIT]

Re stamps happen at s&w. there are some places that sell parts gun(cut frames) that you can pickup around 200.00

 

[Breakaway500]

I have a 64-3 that the side plate sits up in that location but not quite as much as your example.Ill see if I can find it for a photo.

 

[stansdds]

Not uncommon to find S&W revolvers with a model number that has been overstruck with another number. Your frame started out as a 66-1, but by the time it was assembled as a revolver, the 66-2 was the production version. Yours would have had the model number overstruck and then assembled with a pinned barrel to match the pin hole in the frame, but a non-recessed cylinder that was one of the changes in the -2 version. S&W did not waste parts, especially the expensive parts.

 

[swagmeister]

Great looking gun and getting harder to find these days.

 

[80sgyrene]

That sideplate would bug the hell out of me. Enough material there to reprofile it?

 

[shawn mccarver]

The sideplate is not correct. I have observed that Smith & Wesson have sent out all manner of defective revolvers over the 55 years I have been paying attention. Most often it had to do with DCU (doesn't carry up), but sometimes it was a trigger return problem with the trigger staying back after firing because the hand and the cylinder ratchets were not properly fitted. That said, I have never seen a sideplate like that. Perhaps it is the angle of the photograph, but it looks to me like the sideplate is not down flush against the frame in the area of the flat head plate screw. As the plate screws appear "buggered," it is likely someone removed the sideplate previously, and did not reinstall it correctly. Let us hope any damage is not permanent. I think it would be helpful if we could see a picture with weapon standing on edge with the photo taken from the top looking down taken to see if the sideplate is simply not tapped down flush with the frame. The angle of your photograph certainly makes it look like the side plate is simply not fitted properly, but that could be a photographic angle issue. If your sideplate is not fully down flush, do not try to tap it down while the screws are in place. Pull the screws using a proper gunsmith screwdriver, being extremely careful to keep the screws separated so you know which one goes in which hole (it does make a difference), then tap the frame so the side plate lifts off, then make certain everything looks OK inside and that the hammer block is actually in the weapon (lots of people removed them not understanding the risk), then carefully reinstall the sideplate by tapping it down so it is completely flush, and then replace the screws in their proper holes. Do not over tighten.

 

[cndrdk]

Does the stamped assembly number on back of side plate match assembly number on frame?

 

[ms]

The sideplate doesn't look original. At the factory they are polished on the frame, you can follow the little scratch marks across the seams. I've never seen one factory misfit on the back edge like this either. I've seen the sideplate a bit below the frame on the flat surface, presumably from polishing without the screws being fully tight, or with something between the sideplate and frame.

 

[ImDrRich]

After being a member of this forum for a number of years now - and seeing what comes out of the factory sometimes - this shocks me. I dunno why - maybe it's because it looks like a put-together job that couldn't be hidden.

Strange to be sure.

 

[Breakaway500]

Here is the model 64 (no dash) with the side plate not flush.It fits well with the exception of that one spot. I bought it like this many years ago..shoots fine so I'm leaving it alone.

 

[No Quarter]

Thanks for all the input everyone. The assembly number does not match. Internally, the gun is good to go. The edges of the sideplate do not show any signs of being butchered with any grinding and other than that one area, it sits very nicely. I am thinking this is like a beautiful girl with a snaggle tooth... I can get over it. There is plenty of material to have the plate re-profiled a bit, but I fear that would be more trouble than it is worth. The seller has offered to take it back and is finding out more about the sideplate. He was not a big revolver guy and is a stand up guy. I took a bunch of pics for additional comment...

 

[Protocall_Design]

I just went and tried it. That's what you get when you put an L frame side plate on a K frame gun.

 

[No Quarter]

I just went and tried it. That's what you get when you put an L frame side plate on a K frame gun.

That is VERY helpful. So, other than that lip that sticks out, it is a more or less perfect fit? I might just go look for a K side plate then and sell this one.

Thanks!

 

[No Quarter]

Here is the model 64 (no dash) with the side plate not flush.It fits well with the exception of that one spot. I bought it like this many years ago..shoots fine so I'm leaving it alone.

Thanks for the pictures. That is very similar to mine. Protocall Design stated that it appears an L frame side plate on a K frame gun is the culprit. Off to Numrich I got to find a K plate.

 

[No Quarter]

66-2 side plate ordered. I am up to some minor fitting if necessary. Soon, she'll have that snaggle tooth fixed and be the smoke show she was meant to be.

 

[KEN L]

Here is the model 64 (no dash) with the side plate not flush.It fits well with the exception of that one spot. I bought it like this many years ago..shoots fine so I'm leaving it alone.

I don't believe that sideplate is original to that gun. It never would have left Smith looking like that, since it was a special order. JMHO

 

[damienph]

No Quarter, your pinned barrel and non-recessed cylinder is the opposite of my 66-1, I have a recessed cylinder but the barrel isn't pinned.

You made the right choice to keep it and get a new side plate.

 

[KEN L]

Here is the model 64 (no dash) with the side plate not flush.It fits well with the exception of that one spot. I bought it like this many years ago..shoots fine so I'm leaving it alone.

I don't believe that sideplate is original to that gun. It never would have left Smith looking like that, since it was a special order. JMHO