357larry
Member
Here is my opinion. Did not leave the factory this way. Started life as a Model 64. Somebody wanted a 3 inch barreled Model 65. Looks like they used a complete cylinder assembly from a 2 1/2 inch Model 66 no dash or dash 1. It would be my guess that they took a 4 inch Model 65 barrel and shortened it at both ends which accomplished 2 goals, #1 is getting the back end of the barrel the needed length to fit with the cylinder and ejector rod length, #2 is centering the barrel stampings for this length. This would have been the tricky part as the barrel end would have needed to be turned to correct diameter, threaded, new forcing cone cut, then installed on the frame. This could also explain the blued front site as it would have needed to be replaced if the barrel was shortened. Not a job for an amateur. Looks to have been well done.
This is just my opinion. Yours may vary.
This is just my opinion. Yours may vary.
