Mod 66 Sideplate Logo

[mercman]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is a stupid question

I have been offered a 66-3, 2.5", the gun is in mint condition, the only thing I find strange about it is there is no S&W logo on the sideplate or frame. I spoke to the seller about this, asking if the gun had been refinished, he says that the gun is all original and that some had the logo and some hadn't. Is this correct, I've never seen a gun without the logo.

Les

 

[ronnie gore]

66

i have a 2 1/2 and a 4 inch and neither have the logo on the side plate, also i have several other s&w rev. without a logo on side plate, it is on the other side, some of the older s&w i have have it on the sideplate.
the early 66s had a large logo on the side plate and later was changed to a smaller one on other side.

 

[mercman]

the early 66s had a large logo on the side plate and later was changed to a smaller one on other side.

That's what Ive seen, however this 66 doesn't have a logo at all.
Here's a couple of pics from the seller.

 

[scooter123]

I'd bet that it's been re-finished, the laser etched logo's can be removed very easily. While there are rumors that S&W has produced guns without the logo's for government "black ops" contracts those guns are also reported to have been made without serial numbers or any other markings.

 

[ronnie gore]

66

only the newer guns are etched older ones are stamped or roll marked.
the etching is not very deep, but the stamping is so deep i don't think it would be removed completly. stainless guns do not get refinished as they have no finish, just minor removal of scratches, unless someone chooses to ruin the gun by buffing bright like nickle.

 

[linde]

As has been said, the early 66s had the large logo on the sideplate and the later ones had it on the left side of the frame under the cylinder release latch. The move was made (in part) on the 66 so LEO departments could place their shield/emblem on the sideplate . . . as the 66 was a very popular law enforcement sidearm.

I strongly suspect the OP's 66 with no logo was an oversight by the factory . . . it happens. I have a 36 with no logo and I've seen other S&Ws that were missed.

Russ

 

[old bear]

I've ever seen an S&W without the logo, but others have so it must happen from time to time. Now if I were you I would explain to the seller that it's an incomplete unmarked weapon and ask seller for a sizable reduction in price. You never know what some people will fall for.

 

[mercman]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies. I checked out the gun, there are no signs of the gun being refinished or polished, it looks as if the logo has never been applied.
Can someone please help with a d.o.b., on the butt is the serial number BKD8309, on the yoke it has 0 or D96 which has been applied with a pin/centre punch, there is also Mod 66-3 on the frame where the yoke closes, there are "S" marks in various places on the gun.
I have seen various Mod 66's and never noticed a BKD serial number or a punch stamped number on the crane, are these markings unusual.

Les

 

[Model39]

Comparison Model 66 (no dash) and Model 66-2 Sideplates

Here are two, one with the logo (Mfg. 1974), one without (Mfg 1985).
Model 66 (no dash)

Model 66-2

 

[ldp4570]

Some one, original owner, could have bought a sideplate from like Numrich without the markings an replaced it. Its probably one of those that you'd like to get lettered if you buy it.

 

[dfariswheel]

The markings are totally normal.

The dot numbers on the crane are factory assembly numbers used to keep fitted assemblies together during manufacture before a serial number is assigned and stamped.

You'll find "S"'s stamped on stainless steel guns to help prevent confusing parts with bright nickel.

On my Model 66-2 and 66-3 the S&W logo is deeply stamped on the left side of the frame. I suspect that your gun was simply missed during manufacture.
When you make hundreds of thousands of something, errors do happen.