Model 60 No Dash High Polish

[mrevilo]

I have a Model 60 no dash, pinned barrel, cylinder not recessed that is so highly polished it looks like nickel. Serial number is R155xxx. I'd like to know the year it was made and if the polished finish was a factory option when it was made.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[cisco0072]

I don’t know the year it was made. However I do know that the shiny stainless is a trait of the older Model 60’s. I actually love that about them, newer S&W have that foggy looking stainless steel finish. Not a fan of it. I had three of these in my lifetime and all looked like they were nickel but it’s just a polished stainless.

 

[mrevilo]

Cisco,
Thanks for the information. I've read some of the earlier Model 60's were high polish. My R prefix serial number, non diamond grips (although they do match the proof number on the yoke!) and non recessed cylinder seems to preclude it is an early model.

I cleaned it up and shot some Federal Personal Protection rounds through it yesterday. It was like butta'. I've got a Remora IWB sticky holster on the way and it will soon be my new carry.

 

[cgt4570]

FYI: .38 cylinders were never recessed. That feature was only used for magnum and rimfire chambering.

 

[mrevilo]

Chris,

Thanks for the information. I hadn't made the connection about the recessed cylinders. My experience with Smith and Wesson revolvers was originally through my 27-2 and 27-3; Where "pinned and recessed" means everything to some folks. My Model 19 and 17 are also pinned and recessed but my Model 60 was only pinned. I, incorrectly, assumed my Model 60 and also my Model 67 were just a newer models. I appreciate the education!

Mark

 

[murphydog]

The very earliest model 60s (early 400000 SN range, no prefix) had the factory high polish finish. Your is from the early 1970s (I think) and has a nice aftermarket job. Enjoy!

 

[GerSan69]

Hi Mark, I looked up your number in SCSW... that number falls into the 1974-1977 range of R100000 to R190000.
As Alan said, the high polish stainless Chiefs were the earliest ones. As with just about every S&W model, there may be 60s out there with a high polish that were special-ordered, or as part of a special series. I happen to like polished stainless, and I've shined up a few of my own. Yours certainly looks great! Very nicely done.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Cisco,
Thanks for the information. I've read some of the earlier Model 60's were high polish. My R prefix serial number, non diamond grips (although they do match the proof number on the yoke!) and non recessed cylinder seems to preclude it is an early model.

I cleaned it up and shot some Federal Personal Protection rounds through it yesterday. It was like butta'. I've got a Remora IWB sticky holster on the way and it will soon be my new carry.

If the stocks don't match the serial number of the revolver, they are not original to the gun.

 

[Skeetr57]

Don: While your statement about the serial number on the stocks not matching may be true of this particular gun may be true, it is not correct across the board. My model 520 was bought new in the box, and the grip SN does not match the gun, and I understand that this is common with this model.

 

[rburg]

With S&W, different rules seem to apply to different models. Yes, the Model 60s started in 1965. Those guns came from the factory with a polished finish and diamond grips. Whenever you find a shiny one, it needs to have diamond magnas, too. The vast majority of M60s you locate with polish got that way with a buffer. The discriminating M60 buyer will also demand a pinned barrel. It at least dates it to the 1970s, maybe.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Tom
I agree. What I told the OP is they did not number the stocks to the assembly number.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I thought the early high polish Model 60's also had a polished SS trigger & hammer.