How Many '1988 Special' Model 66-3 Were Made?

[Vettepartz]

While looking through the new 5th edition of the Standard Catalog, I see a mention of a 3" model 66-3 that they refer to as a 1988 Special, if I am reading that correctly. I have this one pictured here with the box and tools that I bought used several years ago to complete my Model 66 collection.

I am wondering how many of these were made, if anyone knows. I guess it may be time to request a letter.

 

[LittleAugieMo]

What does the Standard Catalog say about production?

 

[80sgyrene]

Can't help you, but I have the same revolver, minus the box.
Might be the last gun I would ever sell.
I really like the sight ramp aesthetics on these as opposed to the more abrupt ramp on other 3"s.

 

[Gunhohulk]

I've heard somewhere in the 275-500 range but that could be completely made up as I don't have any actual info backing that number up. They seem to surface less often that the 66-2 3"ers.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've heard somewhere in the 275-500 range but that could be completely made up as I don't have any actual info backing that number up. They seem to surface less often that the 66-2 3"ers.

Have heard those #s before. I have two 3" 66-3s I got in 1988/89 in Harrisburg Pa. Story from my gunsmith was they'd been sitting on a local Distributor's shelf for the better part of a year. While the 66-2s were heavily written up in the gun rags..... the rest of the world had just entered the "Age of the Wonder-9". If it didn't have 15 up the butt no one wanted one! Die Hard and Lethal Weapon were all over the screen.

After a year of no real interest my Gunsmith said the Distributor just want to get them off his books. I heard he got busted by the Feds a few years later .......................

Mine were $270 OTD with an action job thrown in! So about $200 for the gun!


IIRC the reporting is that about 5000 -2s were built for Ashland Supply

Picked up a used -4 around 2000 at a local gunshop for the going price of a used 2 1/2" gun..............$225. No idea on the number of -4s built.

The used -4 with Spegel Boot Grips is my most carried EDC revolver.

 

[PatriotX]

I have a boxed example, and mine is the same product code as the one shown above. 9273 Spec.Ord. code, so almost a year later than yours, Vettepartz!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not sure I understand the ; "...so almost a year later than yours,..." reference??


EDIT: SCS&E 3rd p229 ;3" 66-4s built for RSR 1996. Mine is not Mag-na-Ported

 

[PatriotX]

Not sure I understand the ; "...so almost a year later than yours,..." reference??


EDIT: SCS&E 3rd p229 ;3" 66-4s built for RSR 1996. Mine is not Mag-na-Ported

There was a photograph in the original post showing a Spec.Ord. Code of 8294, which would have been mid-October 1988 ready to ship date, per the Julien code.

Mine is 9273, which would have had a ready to ship date of Sept 30, 1989.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Have to check my boxes..... 100 hours without power 125 w/ cars blocked in the garages!!!!!

 

[jrc1]

I only have two a -2 and a-5

 

[snw19_357]

No idea how many 3" 66-3's (not including F-Comps) were made but have documented many in the BBN, BBT, BDF, BEA, BEE, BKE, BNU and BPR prefixes.
Spec Ord codes from 8292 ~ 3231 (8/19/1993)

Why didn't they make any 3" Model 19's during this time frame, 19-5 ~ 19-8?
Well, I guess they did make a 3" 19-8...for Walther.

 

[Vettepartz]

OP here. I appreciate those replies here, but I am not really looking at numbers for -2's or -4's or for those made in years other than 1988. The S&W Catalog, page 322, mentions a '1988 Special' and that is what I am curious about. I do have a request for a letter in, but I see that the mainframe computer at Smith and Wesson is down right now and the prefix BBT guns are affected by this downtime. I will wait patiently for future information from the letter. I am wondering if any other members here may have a letter on a -3 gun that was made in 1988.

 

[VM]

While looking through the new 5th edition of the Standard Catalog, I see a mention of a 3" model 66-3 that they refer to as a 1988 Special, if I am reading that correctly. I have this one pictured here with the box and tools that I bought used several years ago to complete my Model 66 collection.

I am wondering how many of these were made, if anyone knows. I guess it may be time to request a letter.

Production total for product code 102712 is 4195
This comes from office of S&W "Special Products List, Jan 1996"

 

[snw19_357]

The Ashland 66-2s and the RSR 66-3s & -4s were all product code 102712.
Is the 4195 just for the RSR run in 1996 or does it include the 1988 & 1999 RSR runs too.

SCS&W reads that there were 5000 of the Ashland run.
(wonder what the 'full-lug version' is)

 

[VM]

As of JANUARY 1996 when the list was produced, there were 4195 guns with that product code.
I am only reading the code off the OP's box and matching it to the code on the list.
The exact description on list is:
3"Bbl.F.L.Rd.B. Checker Walnut Stocks
It also says May 1988 in next box

 

[Hilldweller]

Bought a 66-3" round butt in the late 80's (to the best of my recollection). Stupidly sold it when I sold my collection.
With MAJOR sellers remorse I searched for another and found it here. My replacement is Serial# BBN3255. Not sure where that puts it in the production run.
This is my preferred carry piece. It fits my hand perfectly. Even with the K-frame it's light and balanced perfectly for me.
I'll have this one until I die.

 

[WardenRoss]

I have an Ashland...

 

[Vettepartz]

OP here. Got the letter, and it looks like there were only 40 handguns in that special run.

 

[Doug M.]

Why ruin a good carry gun with the full lug barrel? I have a 4" M66 that was run butted for me by BMCM. It is a real good carry package, and the only possible improvement would be a 3" barrel (which is not worth the cost to me to find out).

 

[Vettepartz]

The full lug can give you the longer ejection rod, which should make it easier to 'unload' the spent or unfired cases.

Do we know if Ashland or RSR made any modifications to these handguns before they sold them to the dealers?