Need help dating my 686-3

[chepburn]

I traded off a CZ 75 SP-01 for this and looking for some more info on dating it.

I'd also like info of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson that I see referenced, I wanted to know if the 4th edition was the most current and if that will give me the info I'm looking for (for past and future 686's)

Here are the pics and thanks in advance!

 

[cololab]

I saw a post somewhere on this forum that the 4th Edition is the latest in print, however the 5th Edition is anticipated to be out sometime later this year.

If I properly interpreted the data in the 4th Edition, it looks like your revolver is of July/August 1991 vintage. Others more knowledgeable than me can more accurately establish a production date.

 

[lkabug]

The 4th Edition of The Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson will be current through the date of that edition. But future 686 data?

 

[L-2]

My book says the "BJJ" prefix was used in both 1991 and 1992:

1991 – BEH, BEK, BEN, BFA, BFB, BFN, BFR, BFT, BFW, BHB, BHE, BHJ, BJJ, BKA, BKD, BKE, BKK, BKN, BKP
1992 – BFV, BHP, BHT, BJB, BJC, BJD, BJH, BJJ, BKB, BKZ, BMA, BNA, BNB, BND, BNE, BNN

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 491). Gun Digest Media. Kindle Edition.

 

[Sevens]

My closest guess would be May/June area of 1992 for BJJ-xxxx on a 686-3.

I can also say that inside one of those stocks is most likely going to be an ink-stamped date, specific right down to the day. That date won't tell you when the revolver was made, but it's still an interesting date of when the stocks were made.

I can also say that I'm pretty sure that box is not original to that revolver, the 686-3 most likely shipped in the one-piece blue cardboard flip-top box with the inner "coffin" and top-hat, the box that said DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER REVOLVER REVOLVER on it.

You could call or e-mail S&W with that full serial number and ask them for the product code and the birth date and I believe they will have it.

I much prefer e-mail. Give them 2-3 business days.

 

[chepburn]

Thank you all very much

 

[colt_saa]

Is the original label still on the end of the box?

If it is the odds are good that the exact date of manufacture is printed on that label

There should be a 4 digit number underneath the "SPEC ORD' category

95%+ of the time that number is usually the exact date of manufacturer.

Sometimes it also has other purposes

Either give us that 4 digit number or provide a picture of the label

 

[chepburn]

The box isn't original for sure.

Took a pic of the grip, not sure they are original either. Sure looks like Sept 30 1981 or 1987 to me.