Model 66 and Box Reunited--Ya'll Ain't Gonna Believe This!

[JayCeeNC]

When my dad retired in 1975 as a local police officer he was allowed to keep his issued Model 66 (gun only, no box; issued circa 1972.) It was an early gun, serial number 2K55868. Dad passed away in 2002; I have the gun now.
While cruising eBay the other night I spied a pristine Model 66 box from a seller in Billings, Montana, and checked it just out of curiosity. It had a 2K serial number, so I checked my list to see how close it was to dads gun.

It matched! It's the original box for my Dad's Model 66.

I was stunned. I messaged the eBay seller, who said he bought 25-30 S&W boxes from a dealer (identity unknown) who said his dad had sold the revolvers years ago and he was clearing out his storage unit.
Needless to say, I bought the box.

What are the odds that this box made it from central North Carolina to a storage building in Montana through two hands and an eBay seller and then to pop up in front of the guy who had THAT gun after 45 years??

(The eBay seller has also sold some other Model 66 boxes in the last six months with serial numbers in close range. My guess is that the dealer's father in Montana was from my home town here and had some connection with the PD, maybe a retired officer, and thus had the boxes.)

 

[JimBianchi]

very cool!!!

 

[jringo8769]

That is awesome....thank u for sharing....looks like it was meant to be....God Bless,John

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[dubshooter]

Had a similar thing happen. When we got our duty guns we didn't get the boxes. Just the gun. New armored came in and cleaned out the armory. He put all the boxes in the briefing room and told us we could grab one if we wanted it before he threw them out.

I grab a box. Head back to my office. Take a look and it's for my handgun. What're the odds? Not nearly as minute as yours though

 

[les.b]

John:

That's amazing!! When our department went to the Glock, we were allowed to buy our 66s, and I purchased my 2 1/2" and 4", and already had the boxes from when I had been issued the guns. But I know that most officers didn't care about boxes, and many didn't want them in the first place, and I think they were eventually thrown out by the PD, as taking up valuable storage space. If only I had known, but I was retired, and there were lots of things thrown away, as I learned later, old useless early generation night vision, other "junk" that freed up storage space. I think your guess is probably right on. Anyway, so glad that you were able to aquire the correct box!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[TTSH]

It was meant to be!

 

[murphydog]

I will put in the mandatory "you need to buy a lottery ticket" comment here. This has similar odds to winning a Powerball drawing...well, maybe slightly better .

 

[revolver_ph]

WOW! The probability of that is very near the limit of 1/x as x approaches infinity.

 

[SailDesign]

Awesome! No other word.

 

[USN-RET]

Brings a whole new meaning to a "Small World". What an awesome find for you, I can only imagine your joy when you got it in your hands. Now Dad's revolver is back home. Thanks for sharing.

 

[FifthWheel]

Great story!

 

[robvious]

now that is karma... wow

 

[iPac]

Congrats on stumbling upon a needle in a haystack. I'm very glad you got the matching box to a family revolver.

Heck, I'm still holding my breath for 2 boxes that should be relatively easy to come across. Bought a Python and Diamondback from a family friend's widow. This friend always bought the best and took immaculate care of his possessions, like keeping all documents and boxes for important things. So the boxes most likely exist somewhere in that house but need discovered. From what my brother tells me, the attic is a complete hoarding situation.

Maybe one day I will be lucky. Those guns even letter to my home towns, man I want those boxes.

 

[Smithpride]

Man, that is such a great story and most excellent find. Call it divine intervention possibly, if you'll allow such a thing.

How precious and cool. Could almost make a man misty, but not quite this time.

 

[crsides]

Congrats on the find John. Incredible.

Charlie

 

[LEO918]

Once in a lifetime happening!
I once bought a model 53 in Tucson, AZ.
Brought it back to the greater Phoenix and stored it in the safe for two or three years.
A friend said he wanted to by it and he'd pay me a profit.
When I delivered it to him he pulled a box for a Model 53 down from the top of his safe where he had it stored for a few years.
You guessed it - the box numbered to the gun.

 

[daddio202]

You DO need to play a lottery! From the advice from somebody here gave after I purchased 2 different guns from 2 different places in same 2 weeks for $379. So I went out and played cash 3 number 3 7 9 boxed. That night # 3 7 8 came in had I known they have a 1 away option if I would have played I would have won but didn't know about it. So play your lottery every way possible!

 

[lawandorder]

Good for you John!
Bet your Dad is wearing a big smile.

 

[SFIDEC]

Wonderful reunion...Great looking 66 too!

 

[BigDog48]

love this! glad you found it, or it found you!