Lastest Addition, A Model 66 (no-dash) 3" P&R Revolver. Need Information On This.

[murphydog]

My Mdl.19 is in the K622xxx range, not sure what year that would have been.

1965 ship date.

 

[Engine49guy]

As you requested, here is a picture of the top of the gun. I used a light background hopefully to help my poor picture taking capability. Like I said before, this gun looks right. There does not appear to have been any tampering etc to it. Although I'm no expert.
I also found it interesting that another forum member pointed out he had seen one at a police range similar to mine except for the black on black sights back about 1975 that a S&W factory police rep had brought to show the cops.
Another S&WCA member e-mailed me to say he had seen one that was a 66-1, not a no dash 66 like this one, and commented that my barrel was different than the 1985 guns, which was the first year the 3" guns were supposedly made. Thanks for your interest.

Your gun definately began life as a short barrel Model 66 as indicated by the unstepped frame and long rear site.
If it had started life as a 4" or 6" model 66 and had a 3" barrel swapped it would look like this,,

The fact that others have seen one like it makes me believe it is a factory made gun,

But remember, K frame magnums have been known to crack forcing cones requiring barrel replacement and replacement barrels are out there....
I actually Just saw these two 3" M66 barrels on GB,
One standard

and one with a black front site and steep ramp like yours.....

As you do not know its past Only a factory letter will indicate if it left the factory with that barrel or not.

Please keep us posted as to what you find out.

Best of luck and thanks for sharing such an interesting piece .

 

[tocohillsguy]

If Engine49guy is correct about it always being a short barrel Model 66 (and his observations are pretty compelling), then the box (if original) also suggests a factory piece. The OP indicates that the box is for a 4" revolver. However, if the gun was originally a 2.5" snub, then the original box would have been for a 2.5" snub. That suggests the factory built the 3" revolver, pulled a 4" box, and then corrected the information on the end tag.

I know the OP paid more for the gun than he wanted, but if it was mine I would go ahead, bite the bullet, invest a few more dollars and get the Jinks letter.

 

[ENGINE18]

Another vote for "get it lettered." You may very well have a unique piece. Even if that's not the case, it's one cool 3-incher!

 

[Nyteman 44]

3 " Early Model 66 - no dash

Have you had a chance to have that fine revolver lettered ?

 

[akviper]

There are many variations of the top straps on K frames. Below are a 66, 66-3, 19-2, 19-3 four inch RB, and a 19-7. Several "experts" informed me that the 19-3 round butt not original and had a replacement barrel. Fortunately for me, the gun lettered as a factory four inch round butt shipped to Chicago. As always with S&W, never say never.

You have a fine gun. It is a great carry gun with full length extraction. Congratulations on your find.