Gunbroker had two red anodized 6904s, and I bought one.. It arrived, and appears brand new. Upon calling S&W to ask how many they made that way, they told me they didn't. Curious as to who colored these and how many might exist, I post here to the folks who may know. It is a gorgeous piece! View attachment 754980
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Red 6904
- Thread starter Bunker
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ACEd
SWCA Member
Doesnt look factory. Being an Aluminum frame it would be relatively easy to anodize if you are willing to completely strip and reassemble frame. But not sure WHY anyone would do it. Typically Red or Bright Blue on a gun means defective or training or some unique designation to separate it from other guns. It is too uniform to be indicative of a defect or hazard - maybe training or converted to simmunition or something similar - or simply cosmetic? Grips are also not factory so guessing someone was having fun.
Rick H.
Member
My thoughts shall go unspoken so I don't get a "time out".
Rick H.
Rick H.
Not a simulator, no defects, it goes bang and makes holes. It was pristine until today. My guess was maybe a contract for an awards program? Fireman awards? The serial number goes to a shipped factory stock 6904 in 1989. There are at least two of these, so I rule out Bubba's basement anodizing tub. Yes, Hogue grips, S&W told me there were some factory handguns shipped with Pachmeyers once upon a time, though..
Just a mystery to me. Purists may scoff, but my large collection of Smiths of all sizes and flavors made me buy a horse of a different color! Yeah, woulda been nice to find out it was factory. But I like adding odd ones, such as my S&W I-Bolt or my horrendous model 916 Noble P.O.S. 12 ga!
Thanks for your reply.
OK, Rick.. I am now deeply sorry that I asked for any info from the knowledgeable.. Forgive me for insulting your sensibilities.
ACEd
SWCA Member
Cant tell from photo but it looks like slide was bead blasted to remove blue and inadvertently remove or blur normal slide markings. Definitely not a desirable condition in my mind. Better photos of both sides might be helpful, but I am still going with a 1 or 2 off conversation starter from a pair of holster worn blued standard 6904s.
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Definitely not a factory finish on the receiver, but any shop that anodizes aluminum would likely have been able to remove the factory anodizing and reanodize in whatever color, in this case it's red, the customer desired. Because anodizing is not just a surface treatment, but also penetrates the surface, a pistol receiver can typically be reanodized only once, after that, removal of anodizing results in pin holes that are too large in diameter to properly hold parts in the receiver.
Nope...It was never blued, no wear marks and was all originally stainless according to the guy I talked with at S&W. Please go to the GunBroker site, search 6904 and see the other matching one that is still listed for auction today, (May 7), for 5 more days. There are 10 pictures there. Mine in hand appears unfired and un-carried, but anything could be possible if a resto artist would take the time to completely disassemble, anodize and restore to factory-like condition a dirt-common Smith 6904 for sale at $465. That makes no sense to me.
The so
The sides of the slide are polished,. the top is dull.
Thank you. So no 6904 ever had a stainless slide?
Likely a re-do, but the details and wear indicate it was done to a new one.. I would have expected less crispness in the slide logo after a bead blast.
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ACEd
SWCA Member
6904 would have started life blued aluminum frame with blued carbon steel slide - 6906 would be silver anodized Aluminum frame with Stainless slide. So if its a Stainless slide its from a 6906 not original to a 6904.
Ah.. Thank you for some plausible history.. It is an oddity, for sure, and that is what intrigued me. Because of there being at least two, I can't help to wonder whether mine was one of a limited series of special custom builds, or just one of two red owner-modified oddball S&W firearms.. I may never know, but I do appreciate all of the input from the members. I like it for the novelty, if not for just how purty it is!
Oh...I found these numbers too.. Got a clue what they mean?
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I’ve been staying out of this so far.
Don’t know what you paid for this “red framed 6904”, (been too long for GB past completed sales,) but pay for and wait for a Factory Letter. This would end the speculation.
I don’t suggest this very often and I’ve only got a few of them myself . Some of mine have “letters” that supported the different configuration while others did not. The ones that supported the different configurations were worth the money spent.
This is the best place for community input, but sometimes as a whole opinions are wrong. Sorry but in this case they are most likely not.
Jim
Don’t know what you paid for this “red framed 6904”, (been too long for GB past completed sales,) but pay for and wait for a Factory Letter. This would end the speculation.
I don’t suggest this very often and I’ve only got a few of them myself . Some of mine have “letters” that supported the different configuration while others did not. The ones that supported the different configurations were worth the money spent.
This is the best place for community input, but sometimes as a whole opinions are wrong. Sorry but in this case they are most likely not.
Jim
Looks like an inventory number, pretty common in a lot of law enforcement and government agencies as well as armed security companies.
Mocchiuto
Member
Might I suggest getting the slide colored to make it more unique.
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