Model 60-1 question

[roguegamma]

I'm doing a good job of sticking to my "buy first, learn later" revolver acquisition strategy. I picked up this shooter grade 60-1 recently. My decision was influenced by a tip from a forum member regarding the relative scarcity of this model. The dash number, the adjustable rear sight and the tall serrated front sight all indicate to me that this is one of the 660 special ordered by Ashland Shooting Supply. My confusion is that an ALUxxxx serial number has been referenced in some of what I've read about this model. This example has an AIVxxx serial number. Can anyone give me a lesson on this?
FYI, hopefully the poor quality photo will hide how filthy the revolver was at the time I bought it. I've given it some cleaning and it is looking a little better.
Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[GerSan69]

It might be one of those. From what I've gathered here over the years, S&W often didn't fulfill special orders with consecutive serial numbers unless there was a reason to do so. I suspect your reference is the SCSW, since the entry for 660 60-1s to Ashland in 1985 includes ALU4068. But then, there's also the reference to an unspecified number of 60-1s the following year. I guess you'll probably have to send for a letter from Mr. Jinks to be sure. Good luck!

 

[colt_saa]

As GerSan69 has mentioned, when a Distributor orders a batch of firearms they seldom take delivery on them in one shipment.

Ashland might have contracted for 50 a week or 100 per month or whatever.

They get the serial numbers that are being manufactured at that time.

I have two of the 2" Model 60, Chiefs Special Target revolvers and really like them

My serial numbers are ALU13xx and AIV00xx

The one I have pictured above was purchased from Ashland in 1986 and is the ALU13xx serial number. I carried it in a Galco Ankle Glove until the J-Magnums came out in 1996 when I switched so I could have a 357 Magnum

The AIV00xx serial numbered Chiefs Special Target was bought in the last 3 or 4 years so I could have a nice clean spare on hand. I do not know it's original lineage

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mine's an ALUxxxxx

 

[roguegamma]

So, condition being equal, it doesn't sound like my new find would be less valuable than an ALU prefix example. I was thinking that the ALU prefix was reserved specifically for the Ashland order.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

So, condition being equal, it doesn't sound like my new find would be less valuable than an ALU prefix example. I was thinking that the ALU prefix was reserved specifically for the Ashland order.

I really wouldn't let the Ashland thing stand in my way of purchasing it.......Ashland was only a distributor........S&W made them all. And there will never be any new 60-1's ever again.

 

[GerSan69]

I don't know.... having one of a small number of special order guns does tend to increase value. How much varies by model, or so it seems. I have a 1 of 2000 gun, but I don't really look at it as exclusive, since it has some surface flaws and no box. But that's me.
Sounds like you're a guy that would want to see a letter from Mr. Jinks. Cool! Having a 1 of anything less than, say, 1000 IM-very-HO is one that ought to be documented. Seems like that's a good thing to have at resale time, too.
By the way, I forget if Ashland is even still around to inquire about their specials from years past. Lew Horton is, but they are closing at the end of the year and, apparently, so is their look-up service. A real shame.

 

[colt_saa]

By the way, I forget if Ashland is even still around to inquire about their specials from years past. Lew Horton is, but they are closing at the end of the year and, apparently, so is their look-up service. A real shame.

A Lew Horton Exclusive (or any Distributor Exclusive) will always be verifiable with a Smith and Wesson Historical Letter

 

[SuperMan]

I was s dealer when these came out and bought a consecutively numbered pair. Still have one of the guns and my best friend still has the other...who ever is the last man standing gets the pair...

As a distributor exclusive I don't believe that there are any 60-1s AS models that were sold other through Ashland...

Besides the 2" .38 Special Target I also have a -4 and a pair of -10s...all are great shooters...

Bob

 

[Lonestar57]

I noticed that one of these went for pretty high money recently;

S&W 60-1 ASHLAND "1 OF 660 MADE" ADJ SIGHT ORG BOX - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 829087769

 

[roguegamma]

I noticed that one of these went for pretty high money recently;

S&W 60-1 ASHLAND "1 OF 660 MADE" ADJ SIGHT ORG BOX - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 829087769

I saw that too. It helped convince me that $400 for an example with no box and some obvious wear was probably not too high. The scariest thing about mine is that it has a buggered up sideplate screw that looks like it isn't original to the gun. It appears to function fine. I figure I can replace the screw with a pretty one.

 

[jcelect]

Ashland Shooters Supply

Ashland Shooters Supply of Ashland, Ohio is no longer in business. It started out as a gun shop but later evolved into a distributor! They ordered many different models in unusual configurations of both S&Ws and Rugers!
jcelect

 

[murphydog]

Nice find! I strongly suspect there were more than 660 made given the number regularly seen/bought/sold. There are reports of a few guns made up from parts but I see no evidence yours is one of those. $400 for one of these is an excellent deal. Enjoy!

 

[roguegamma]

Nice find! I strongly suspect there were more than 660 made given the number regularly seen/bought/sold. There are reports of a few guns made up from parts but I see no evidence yours is one of those. $400 for one of these is an excellent deal. Enjoy!

And I thank you because I think you are the member who gave me the hint a month or so ago regarding the scarcity of this model. This was the one at Cabela's for $499. They knocked $70 off the price when I pointed out the ugly screw and I used club points to get it down to $400 even.

 

[Lonestar57]

I saw that too. It helped convince me that $400 for an example with no box and some obvious wear was probably not too high. The scariest thing about mine is that it has a buggered up sideplate screw that looks like it isn't original to the gun. It appears to function fine. I figure I can replace the screw with a pretty one.

Just an observation but that flat screw should be the one under the grip panel. Check under your grips to see if someone got the sideplate screws mixed up.

 

[roguegamma]

Just an observation but that flat screw should be the one under the grip panel. Check under your grips to see if someone got the sideplate screws mixed up.

I haven't looked yet, but I'm going to nominate you for an award just for mentioning that. This is why I love this forum.

 

[GerSan69]

A Lew Horton Exclusive (or any Distributor Exclusive) will always be verifiable with a Smith and Wesson Historical Letter

I kinda mentioned a letter from Mr. Jinks in the same post.
MY reference was to info that's "also" available from the distributor.

 

[roguegamma]

Just an observation but that flat screw should be the one under the grip panel. Check under your grips to see if someone got the sideplate screws mixed up.

...and we have a winner. I removed the grips and returned the screws to their correct holes. The revolver looks much prettier now.

 

[target tech]

It is amazing, something that nobody wanted almost 35 years ago is now highly collectable because they made so few of them.
I remember in the mid 80s', when I was in high school, a local little fishing/bait/gun shop that we hung out in, had one in the pistol display case for what seems like a couple of years till someone finally bought it.

 

[roguegamma]

Hey, I've got a Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler and two Volkswagen type 181 "Things". Each of those vehicles were duds as far as sales go when they hit the market. Now I have people flagging me down and asking me to sell. Perceived value and scarcity are inversely related, it seems.

 

[murphydog]

And I thank you because I think you are the member who gave me the hint a month or so ago regarding the scarcity of this model. This was the one at Cabela's for $499. They knocked $70 off the price when I pointed out the ugly screw and I used club points to get it down to $400 even.

Always glad to facilitate someone spending their hard-earned money on guns.

 

[Lonestar57]

...and we have a winner. I removed the grips and returned the screws to their correct holes. The revolver looks much prettier now.

Well now, that’s twice you’ve hit the jackpot. Maybe a trip to Vegas is in order....

 

[Club Gun Fan]

So, condition being equal, it doesn't sound like my new find would be less valuable than an ALU prefix example. I was thinking that the ALU prefix was reserved specifically for the Ashland order.

No it wasn't, they only ordered 660 units. Smith & Wesson would not reserve a block of 10,000 serial numbers for a small order like this from Ashland. There was a block of 660 numbers taken out of the ALU series. John Jovino's order of 5000 special Model 60's was spread out of three different serial number ranges.