Model 66 .357 Magnum Stainless

[Bpolijr]

My father was the original owner. I have had this in my possession for probably 12-15yrs now. All original with original wood box, tools, and manual. I am curious as to what these revolvers are worth. I was told mine is rare due to it having the stainless front sight and stainless adjustable rear sight.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Aguila9]

I have read about stainless sights also. I think it was in one of Supicas books on S&W.

Someone will chime in on this subject I'm sure.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[JP@AK]

Nice revolver in excellent shape and all the original stuff. On top of that, it was your dad's. Hard to beat that total combination! Congratulations.

I was told mine is rare due to it having the stainless front sight and stainless adjustable rear sight.

Not rare. Just early production. These were disliked by shooters at the time because of glare issues. Now collectors want them because they were discontinued after a while. IIRC they lasted for about a year (maybe even two), so they are definitely neither rare nor scarce. Just less common than the later production Model 66 with the blackened rear sight.

 

[vigil617]

Agree with the first two posters. What you have is the 66 "no dash" model that was produced in the mid-1970s. Others might disagree, but I think that the presentation case might not be original to the gun -- though it's very nice. The whole package might have been put together as a special gift to your dad. The first no-dash models had the stainless sights, but later no-dash models had the blackened ones. I even saw one with stainless sights recently for sale that the owner had painted black on the rear sight black for better visibility.

You don't say whether this one has been fired, and that's one factor that will affect value, but I can tell you that the no-dash models in excellent condition can bring in the "high hundreds" on auction sites. They're great shooters, and having the option of 38 Special or 357 Magnum is a very nice feature. Some have called them the ultimate combat handgun, and many LE agencies issued the 4" Model 66 during the years before the additional capacity of semi-autos caused a shift in agency preferences. (I have a 66-1 with the emblem of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on the right side, and a 66 no-dash also.)

A wonderful gun. If I had one that had been my dad's, it would never leave the family. By the way, congratulations for posting it in the correct category on the Forum -- it's a "pinned and recessed" model, so it's pre-1980.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Vigil....... pretty much sums it up..... but I will add that the 66 and 66-1 are pinned(barrel) and recessed (cylinder)...... features that were dropped on all magnums in the early 80s.

Two features some like and some don't

 

[sheepdawg]

All 66s had adjustable sights and the stainless ones were made from 1970 till roughly 1974. I have a 1972 model 66 and a 1976 model 66. I can tell you the stainless sights are lousy.

66s with stainless sights are also the most desired by collectors.

 

[Doc44]

The presentation case you have is actually for a Model 29-2 and dates from 1975-1979. The Model 66 was not shipped with a presentation case.

Bill

 

[Arik]

My father was the original owner. I have had this in my possession for probably 12-15yrs now. All original with original wood box, tools, and manual. I am curious as to what these revolvers are worth. I was told mine is rare due to it having the stainless front sight and stainless adjustable rear sight.

Thanks in advance.

I have the same thing. Also stainless sights and the same case

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Dkrueger17]

I'd have to think your 66 no dash shipped from the factory in a blue 2-piece box. I've never heard/seen a 66 having a presentation case. What is the beginning of the serial number? 2K? 4K?

As for establishing a value, it can vary quite a bit. These earlier 66's with the stainless sights are definitely highly sought after by collectors and will command a premium. However, condition and completeness are the determining factors in establishing value. One in great condition with matching 2-piece box, tools and papers could be an easy $900+ around my area.

That is quite a nice 4" no dash you have. Here is an example of mine and a friends no dash with the stainless sights as well.

 

[Bpolijr]

Wow, I assumed this was the original wooden case as it's how I always remembered it when I was a kid. But I guess it isnt.

Yes, the gun has been fired. Very little by me (2 boxes of 38's maybe) and even less by my dad.

So as it sits here, what should I ask for a starting price?

 

[Bpolijr]

I have the same thing. Also stainless sights and the same case

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Same case? People are telling me it didn't come with this case.....

 

[Mark IV]

More than any other feature, I believe it's those grips that most enhance value and desirability.
I follow the classified sites pretty closely, and here in Georgia I would expect this to be realistically priced for a reasonably quick sale at about $600-650, maybe even 700 if it's really nice.
($700-750 wouldn't be unreasonable, if it was a snubbie.)
Any more would probably be pushing it, since you're getting into what a decent 686 can be found for.
But, the market seems to be really flooded with 19's and 66's right now (with the blued 19's being more popular), and nearly everything seems to selling pretty slowly. I'm seeing "price drop" posted more and more frequently, particularly on the more expensive,desirable stuff. It seems to be a deflationary, cash/buyer's market right now.

 

[Arik]

Same case? People are telling me it didn't come with this case.....

Same case, at least it looks like it, but that doesn't mean anything. Could have been a popular aftermarket case

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[BAM-BAM]

Same case? People are telling me it didn't come with this case.....

I've got one of those cases...... your Dad could have just bought it.....I've got a "minty" Model 18 in one I found and had reflocked (like Arik's)

If you can ...... I'd keep it as a family heirloom;been in the family 45 years now.... with a lot of life left in it.........it will be hard to replace.................


"flooded market"....... maybe the Internet..... but not around here!!!!

 

[larryofcc]

More than any other feature, I believe it's those grips that most enhance value and desirability.
I follow the classified sites pretty closely, and here in Georgia I would expect this to be realistically priced for a reasonably quick sale at about $600-650, maybe even 700 if it's really nice.
($700-750 wouldn't be unreasonable, if it was a snubbie.)
Any more would probably be pushing it, since you're getting into what a decent 686 can be found for.
But, the market seems to be really flooded with 19's and 66's right now (with the blued 19's being more popular), and nearly everything seems to selling pretty slowly. I'm seeing "price drop" posted more and more frequently, particularly on the more expensive,desirable stuff. It seems to be a deflationary, cash/buyer's market right now.

Pretty much all true, but with exceptions. I recently bought a early M66-0 with the stainless sights for $750 with no box, on this forum. Couple days later on Auction Arms I saw an early M66-0 N.I.B. go for near $1,400. Maybe the box and tools are worth $650? I doubt it. I bought a near mint box for my M66 for $45 on Ebay. Tools from this era are cheap and plentiful. You are correct about the glut, but there is no glut for stainless sighted M66's or 4 screw M19's. They are getting real hard to find. Big Larry

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I like the stainless sights. They work well in a variety of lighting conditions, from deep shadow to full sunlight.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like the stainless sights. They work well in a variety of lighting conditions, from deep shadow to full sunlight.

If you want to shoot it try nail polish ...... florescent color over a base coat of white...will clean off with NP remover......

 

[Mark IV]

..... You are correct about the glut, but there is no glut for stainless sighted M66's or 4 screw M19's. They are getting real hard to find. Big Larry

I was partially referring in general terms to a glut in the overall firearm market, but also partially referring to the 66's and 19's (though not to specific models,features or years).
I just checked the Georgia Outdoorstrader, as I do several times daily, and on just the first two pages, I counted six Model 19's for sale. And these are just recent ones, not counting ads that have fallen further back, and will be re-posted again soon.
The 66's are a bit less common, but are also frequently seen, I believe there's a couple on those first two pages,as well.
I can't speak for the rest of the country (and wasn't trying to), all I'm saying is I regularly see what seems to me to be a fair amount of M19's when I browse through the site ( I'd estimate a good 90% of ads are from the Atlanta metro area, or not too far out).
The impression I've had for some time now is that you can just about take your pick of M19's in Georgia's used market, 24/7.

edit: and another one just popped up a few minutes ago, a REAL clean 4" 19-5, with a gorgeous set of grips, asking $650. I tell ya it's practically raining 19's around Atlanta,LOL!!


RE-edit: and ANOTHER one just got posted (I've actually crossed paths with this guy). This one is a
4" 19-3, in very nice conditon, with a spectacular set of original targets, and blue cardboard factory box, asking only $625.

 

[beardeddog]

More than any other feature, I believe it's those grips that most enhance value and desirability.
I follow the classified sites pretty closely, and here in Georgia I would expect this to be realistically priced for a reasonably quick sale at about $600-650, maybe even 700 if it's really nice.
($700-750 wouldn't be unreasonable, if it was a snubbie.)
Any more would probably be pushing it, since you're getting into what a decent 686 can be found for.
But, the market seems to be really flooded with 19's and 66's right now (with the blued 19's being more popular), and nearly everything seems to selling pretty slowly. I'm seeing "price drop" posted more and more frequently, particularly on the more expensive,desirable stuff. It seems to be a deflationary, cash/buyer's market right now.

you Nailed it....I am seeing that the folks that actually carried these (model 66s) are now at the point in their lives were they don't need them and their adult children don't either. My mother was a deputy and she would be in her mid seventies had she still been alive. She worked 1974-84. They are definitely appearing more often lately. Then they will disappear again for another 20 years. Just like all the old 1911s. Stainless steel sights can certainly bring a premium if the right buyer is there.

 

[Tom_R]

If you are selling the gun and the case, I think $850 - $900 is a fair price.

Just the gun and the papers, $700 -$750 is a very fair price, but I would want to see more pics of the gipun to determine the condition of the finish. In the first pic, it looks like there are some light scratches on it, but it may be the way the light is hitting it.