Inherited a 66-1

SeanGage

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Hello, I just got my hand on my old man’s 66-1 and would like to know about it. What year it was made? Also what the markings under the handles stand for. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 

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Is it a 4” or 6”?
Very late 1979, maybe early ‘80
Letters in shapes are inspector stamps, 07438 is the part number of the frame.
89531 is an assembly number. Should also have A11 and two others like it on left side.
Assembly number and fitter stamp on yoke.
 
It’s a 6” and has rubber grips that have s&w square butt made in Italy printed on them. Has A11 A18 A25 & a S on the left side of the Handel. Then the right side has a S in a circle and a E in a triangle.
 
Hello, I just got my hand on my old man’s 66-1 and would like to know about it. What year it was made? Also what the markings under the handles stand for. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Your dad deserves more respect than to be referred to as your "old man". I would give anything to be able to talk to my dad again, and if I could, I sure as hell wouldn't refer to him as my old man.
 
I’m sorry for your loss. My father purchased a 686 6” brand new 30+ years ago. Some day it’ll hold a cherished place in my collection. Thankfully my father is still with us and I hope he stays that way for a long time.
 
Your dad deserves more respect than to be referred to as your "old man". I would give anything to be able to talk to my dad again, and if I could, I sure as hell wouldn't refer to him as my old man.
Easy sport, the Old Man literally had all my siblings refer to him as such. He was the eldest child and as far as I know he had bin called that after his return from Germany after being drafted during Vietnam. I very much miss the Old Man and literally revered him.
 
I’m sorry for your loss. My father purchased a 686 6” brand new 30+ years ago. Some day it’ll hold a cherished place in my collection. Thankfully my father is still with us and I hope he stays that way for a long time.
Very cool, mine also got his 66-1 new. The Old Man made it to 76, hopefully yours sticks around longer.
 
Let me extend my condolences in your loss. I always called my Father “Dad” and like you, it was as he wished. He was a D-Day veteran and I lost him in the Spring of 2017 at age 91. Your Father was just a couple of years older than I am and we came along at a time when revolvers were what made S&W famous. When he bought that 66-1, it was very popular for police officers and others who carried weapons professionally. With the intervening decades the opinion has arisen among many shooters and collectors that the -1 variant was the best version of the 66. Treasure it and let it remind you of him.
BTW, rubber grips were extremely popular when that revolver was made. If you do want to put it back like original, I believe you’ll find the target grips with cutout for speed loaders came on it. Unlike earlier grips, these were not numbered to the gun, so you could replace them and be “correct”. However, although I personally dislike rubber grips on my guns, I believe I would leave that one the way the “Old Man” had it.
Best regards,
Froggie 🐸
 
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