Model 66 value

[Claims Rep.]

I’ve got a S&W Model 66 no dash 4” stainless 357 combat magnum. What do you reckon the value is for a revolver like this? This revolver was carried by Huntsville Police Dept. until they replaced them with Glocks. The revolver locks up very well, has no bad blemishes, etc. It basically looks like a revolver that was well cared for, but not a safe queen. Note that it does have the recessed cylinder. I also have the original wood grips for it too. No box or paperwork.

 

[Old cop]

I recently paid $600 for a NIB M66 no dash from 1973, but it was from a retired LEO I used to work with. I’ve seen them for as much as $800 but that seems a bit of a stretch.

 

[22hipower]

$600-$800 where I shop; probably more if you can get in on the GB frenzied buying. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[PeteC]

Link to one that sold (to me) here in the classifieds recently, scroll down below the 67:

WTS M67 now SPF

I am not good at values at the best of times, but in the last few months they seem to sell for more on Gunbroker than here. I went by what I found in the "completed" listings on the auction site.

The condition and type of the original grips makes a difference, if you post a pic of those it might help to estimate a value

According to the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson), "First year and a half production with stainless rear sight worth $100 premium", and, "law enforcement marked will bring a premium".

I see there is a second stamp besides the "V" on the cylinder, but can't read it in the pic (?). Is the rear sight blade black or silver/stainless?

 

[S&W-Keeper]

Very nice.

 

[raygixxer89]

I just bought a minty 2.5" 66-1w/box and papers from GB for $1357. I just picked it up a bit ago, in fact.

 

[PeteC]

I just bought a minty 2.5" 66-1w/box and papers from GB for $1357. I just picked it up a bit ago, in fact.

When I was looking, the 2.5" version was selling quite a bit higher than the 4" version (?)

 

[LPD256]

My local gun store has a nice 66-2 four inch for sale at $750. The 66 no dash you are showing is pinned barrel/recessed cylinder and is apparently an early gun based on the stainless rear sight. Some folks like guns with LEO provenance. It is basically a great shooter with a story. For $750 some folks would snap up the 66ND ahead of the super clean 66-2. Including me.

 

[raygixxer89]

When I was looking, the 2.5" version was selling quite a bit higher than the 4" version (?)

Yup. I'm not exactly sure why they sell for more, but they sure do.

 

[raygixxer89]

My local gun store has a nice 66-2 four inch for sale at $750. The 66 no dash you are showing is pinned barrel/recessed cylinder and is apparently an early gun based on the stainless rear sight. Some folks like guns with LEO provenance. It is basically a great shooter with a story. For $750 some folks would snap up the 66ND ahead of the super clean 66-2. Including me.

This right here. For 750, my wallet would have made a sonic crack when I whipped it out in record speed.

 

[Claims Rep.]

What kind of markings will designate this as a LEO revolver? Did they literally have “Law Enforcement” or something similar stamped into them, or was it something not that obvious?

 

[PeteC]

What kind of markings will designate this as a LEO revolver? Did they literally have “Law Enforcement” or something similar stamped into them, or was it something not that obvious?

Usually it is obvious and intentional so. Initials or partial name of the law enforcement agency or department, a logo, sometimes a rack number or inventory number. The big departments like the New York (NY1), California (CHPS) etc. seem to be most popular. Some are more obscure, like my recent purchase of a Model 19-P that I could not quite identify without some help from this forum. That one was a special order for the Peruvian Police. That was pure luck, I did not look for one.

Here is an example, a Model 66 ND, with stainless sights like the original post, marked S.P.D., for "Shreveport Police Department". It was manufactured in 1973 (according to s/n 4K51xxx), and sold as surplus in 1977, according to a receipt in the box.

 

[PeteC]

Some people collect specific law enforcement surplus guns, some collect military firearms, etc. But for the most part, they are usually reasonably priced, moderately worn, and well maintained.

The gun in the original post is a first or second year production gun with a stainless rear sight, pinned barrel, and recessed cylinder, so all that makes it somewhat distinctive from later versions with black rear sights and/or Model 66-2 and later, made after 1982 that are not pinned and recessed. On the other hand, the black rear sight is easier to see in bright light, and nobody at the range seems to notice the S.P.D. mark when I am shooting it,

(I looked most of this up when I bought mine, I am not reciting it from memory like some of the experts here)

 

[Claims Rep.]

Thanks for all the replies. I reckon this 66 is gonna stay with me for a while. Fun shooter for sure.

 

[Engine49guy]

Condition and originality are paramount in a collectable gun, your rear site blade and screws have been changed from the original SS to black replacements, while this is reversible (if u can source originals) the worse news is someone has added a red ramp at some point which is not so easy to reverse although your fs blade is actually pinned to the ramp then polished flush ( look closely you will see the pin) but again good luck finding a replacement SS blade.
If it were a very early sample with a K serial prefix (like K999,999) it might be worth looking into restoring, but with a floating K serial not so much IMO.


Your Model 66 will make a fine shooter but avoid light fast .357 110 grain mag loads, stick to factory 158 grain 357 or any .38 Special.

Any mechanically solid M66 is easily worth $500 to someone wants to shoot it and doesnt collect or want to pay collector prices.

IMO a LNIB 70-75 4" Model 66 is at least a $1000 gun, one with a K prefix serial add another $50%

 

[double-dipper]

I have a 66 no dash with the SS front and rear sight, original target grips I picked up a few years ago for around $575 but, that was before things got crazy.
In todays market, If all original with box, papers, tools I see them go on GB for $900 -$1200. Shooters will bring $700-$900

 

[charlie sherrill]

I went to a gun club swap meet about a year ago. I noticed a 4" 66-1 on a table but before I could get to it this guy picked it up and ran around showing it to people and asking questions about it. I watched him. As soon as he set it back on the table I picked it up and bought it for $500.00.