Late 63 No Dash

[EricR]

Not that this amounts to a hill of beans but it's the minutia like this that makes us break out our SCSW. I probably bought this 63 no dash in '86. The SN is listed as an '85. But why do you suppose it's not a dash 1 with an '85 date?

 

[murphydog]

The 63-1 is listed as "delete pinned barrel" and they exist, but my guess is the factory made a large quantity of model 63 frames and didn't bother going back to stamp the -1 on them when they put on the unpinned barrel. Pure speculation, however.

 

[EricR]

I need to get my hands on the box. I believe my brother has it in a storage unit out west. Inside it would be the original stocks and all the papers. But I'd like to see if the box tag read 63-1.

Just looked up 63's for sale on GB and within minutes saw a BKV serial number stamped without the dash as well.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/788583402

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I agree with murphydog, in that a large number of -1 M63's were not marked with a dash number. I do know why Smith did it, but it is something I've seen and suspected for some time.

 

[Engine49guy]

Nice Model 63 and yes more likely a dash 1 according to the SCSW.

That being said AFAIK the revision numbers did not advance on the other S&W Models with just the deletion of the barrel pin as no new part was required, they simply ceased boring the pin hole.

BTW deleting the barrel pin did not result in a revision change in the Blue/nickel Model 34 which is the Model 63 counterpart .

Another interesting anomaly is that the 63 snub got its own revision in the 63-2 where the Model 34 has no separate revision for snubs...weird.

 

[EricR]

Thank you for interesting observations regarding the kit guns. It is a nice revolver. My hands aren't huge and with those combat stocks it fits me like a glove. I bought that 63 from a Buttrey's supermarket in Laramie, WY. It was my first year pursuing my second degree, a civil engineering degree from The University of Wyoming and I didn't have a dime to spare. But I bought it anyways.

 

[Engine49guy]

The J frame 22 is a great trainer for someone learning to shoot a J frame .38 special and the four incher is a great plinker for younger shooters as well as smaller frame individuals.

The K frame .22 is a better trainer for training to shoot the K-38 and KT-357 Mag.