New to me 681 no dash

mag318

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Just won this 681 no dash on an auction which the seller described as in excellent condition. Was that a very conservative description because I was happy that upon inspection the revolver looks almost like new, I don't think it has been fired outside the factory. Someone just bought this S&W and tucked it away. No box or papers and the original grips were replaced with a set of Nill-Griffe grips. This revolver has a police Captains name engraved in the backstop so I'm thinking it was some sort of gift. I'm researching the name just in case it was someone of note. I put a set of checkered factory target grips on it, then tried a set of Presentation Gonzalo Alves grips on it. If I decide to shoot it thought the Bill grips will go back on because they are the most comfortable out of the three.
 
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These original came with Magna style service grips but when I was on the job most of us switched them out for target grips. These Nill-Griffe grips are really fantastic and whoever put these on the 681 had good taste. This is an early no dash example and it never went back to the factory for the "M" stamp modification.
 

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I found this 681 no-dash/no-M in a Huntsville, AL pawn shop a couple weeks ago and had it transferred up here to TN last weekend. My OTD price was $695.

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I imagine the no dash, no M stamp examples will become the most collectable ones. And eventually they will become collectable.

I was in a gun shop yesterday, where I put a 4" 65-2 with Target stocks on layaway, where there was a 4", nickel, 586 no-dash, no M for sale ($749.99 +tax). I imagine that's likely one of the rarest .357 L-frames out there.
 
My first issued weapon. Bought it when we went to the 4006 in 1992. Still have it.
 
Couple of 681s and a 581

I have 2 681s. Here is my 681 No Dash, No "M" stamp with Combat grips. I also have a 681-4, 3" with Beautiful Culina grips. I also found a picture of my 581 No Dash, No "M" stamp, AAA Prefix.
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I'd love to find a 3" version, now that's a rare revolver.
 
I was in a gun shop yesterday, where I put a 4" 65-2 with Target stocks on layaway, where there was a 4", nickel, 586 no-dash, no M for sale ($749.99 +tax). I imagine that's likely one of the rarest .357 L-frames out there.

That gun is on my list. I love my blue 586, but that big old slab of nickeled steel as only Smith can do just does it.
 
The only 681 I have is a certified "blood" gun. The officer it had been issued to used it to stop a felon that had murdered his girlfriend with a shotgun and was actively trying to kill the officer with the same shotgun. The felon took second place. I got the 681 when the Dept. sold them all off.
 
Here is a photo of the back strap and name. I was thinking about removing it but maybe not since it's part of the history of the gun now. If this was owned by Capt. Bellino who was the first Naval Academy cadet to win the Heisman Trophy then I'd definitely keep it on the gun.
 

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Here is a photo of the back strap and name. I was thinking about removing it but maybe not since it's part of the history of the gun now. If this was owned by Capt. Bellino who was the first Naval Academy cadet to win the Heisman Trophy then I'd definitely keep it on the gun.

Bellino served a total of 28 years in the United States Navy and the Naval Reserve, and retired with the rank of captain.

After the close of his playing career, he was a successful businessman in the Boston area, where he was also active in charitable organizations. He and his wife, Ann Tansey, had two children, Therese and John, and lived in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Bellino died on March 27, 2019, at the age of 81.
 

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