S&W model 66 no dash question

[smithy46]

Hope that someone can answer this question as there is no metion in
the S&W book.
I have a model 66 no dash SN 2K633XX made in 1972 which I would rate
at 98%.
The front ramp, sight blade & rear sight are all in stainless steel.
The target hammer & trigger are not stainless.
Any idea when the factory started putting stainless hammers & trigers
on the model 66?
The only thing listed in the S&W book was the triggers were smooth and
this one is serated.
Also could this have been a special order gun or did the factory just use
parts that were on hand at that time?
Thanks for any help that you can give.

 

[murphydog]

At that time, the model 66 should have had the flash-chromed silver hammer and trigger. The target parts may be special-ordered or replacements; no way to be sure except a factory letter. At other times stainless and standard case-hardened parts were used in stainless guns, but I don't think during this era.

 

[C Islander]

I have a 66 no dash that has the same type hammer and trigger as yours. It would be interesting to know if ours were factory or replacement, or a limited run.

 

[k22fan]

So far as I know all standard production 66s with all stainless sights had flash cromed .265" serrated triggers and hammer spurrs approximately 3/8" wide. These guns and 67s were the first adjustable sighted stainless guns and I believe flash cromed target triggers and hammers had not been made yet so it makes sense that if someone ordered a 66 with TT &TH that early S&W would have put in case colored parts.

Disclaimer: this is just logic from my little pea brain and maybe no better than a wild eyed guess.

Best Regards,
Gil

 

[smithy46]

I have a 66 no dash that has the same type hammer and trigger as yours. It would be interesting to know if ours were factory or replacement, or a limited run.

Thanks for that information.
I guess the only way to find out is to spend some money and ask Smith &
Wesson for a factory letter based on the SN.

 

[Doc44]

I have one of the first 100 Model 66s made in 1970 (K949140) to test the new tooling for the revolver and have seen one other of these guns. Both have a target hammer and a standard trigger (both are flash chromed).

The hammer and trigger on your Model 66 are most likely replacements for the originals.

Bill

 

[smithy46]

Thanks for info. and the picture of the nice looking early 66.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson states that "First production models are found with a stainless steel rear sight rather than black. .400"
target triggers, .312"smooth combat or .265" service triger. .375" semi or
.500" target hammer, target stocks"

This kind of leaves you hanging as were all of the pieces in stainless or just the sight?
Both my hammer & trigger are case-hardened.
Sofar from what I hear they could have,
1/ Came from the factory that way as S&W would use parts that they had on hand.
2/ A gun smith changed them out as replacement parts later on after the gun was sold.
3/ The gun was special ordered that way.

Thanks,

Walker

 

[C Islander]

I just pulled out my 65-1. It dosen't have the wider combat trigger and hammer, but otherwise they look the same as my 66.

 

[Doc44]

smithy46...I believe you should request a letter as you mentioned earlier. That is the only way to know if your 66 was shipped with a case hardened hammer and trigger.

I have a Model 629 that was shipped with a case hardened combat trigger and target hammer. They letter as original equipment.

Bill

 

[smithy46]

I have a 66 no dash that has the same type hammer and trigger as yours. It would be interesting to know if ours were factory or replacement, or a limited run.

Does your 66 also have the stainless rear sight and if so what are the first 3 in the SN?
Thanks

 

[C Islander]

Mine has the black rear sight. The serial # is13K3XXX.

 

[smithy46]

Mine has the black rear sight. The serial # is13K3XXX.

Thanks for the info.

 

[LiteCav]

My 2.5" 66-1, has a wide, smooth Trigger that looks like forged Stainless Steel. It's shinny, but very slightly darker than the stainless steel of the frame.

The hammer is forged too, but seems to have that even, flat silver finish. Looks like the hammer on the 4" 66, shown above. Hope this helps.

Andre

 

[nipster]

Most 64's and 65's that I have seen have the standard trigger and hammer, most 66's that I have seen have the combat trigger and hammer, triggers were serrated until 66-2 (dont know about 64/65's) but it may have been optional before that.

I have only seen target hammer/trigger on a 66 once, but I am told they were optional.

 

[vrichard]

My mdl.66 Flash chomed standard hammer & serrated trigger.
Dick

 

[Rogue686]

My 66-1 has a black rear sight and a serrated trigger. I have considered getting it lettered, but would rather spend the $50 towards another S&W revolver

 

[LiteCav]

Rogue686,
Not sure what you mean by, "...getting it lettered"?

Andre

 

[Duke426]

Rogue686,
Not sure what you mean by, "...getting it lettered"?

Andre

That means contacting S&W Historian, Roy Jinks, and having him research the gun. Mr Jinks will then report his findings in the form of a letter on S&W letterhead and signed by him.

 

[Vern]

It's my understanding that the no dash M66 started as all stainless -- front and rear sights. Somewhere in the middle of the run S&W changed to black sights. With the 66-1 they made some tweaks, but from then on the sights were colored.

I like the stainless sights. I think it make the front sight stand out nice and bright. To me, the rear sight isn't shinny for some reason. There seems to be enough contrast to make it easy to aim.

Vern