"The Dreaded Triple-Alpha Serial"

[Green Frog]

SCSW acknowledges that the triple alpha serial numbers that began in 1980 are problematic to trace. I have a Model 686 ND, NM with the serial AJZ62XX and that 3 letter sequence doesn't seem to appear in "the Book." I'm extrapolating that it should be a 1984 or '85 vintage gun, right before the Dash-1 was introduced. Does this sound about right?

Also, this gun came to me with no grips (it came to the PO with a nasty set of Goodyears.) I'm wondering, this being a 6" example, would it have come from Springfield with cut-out targets, or smooth finger grip combats.

I've got the nicest set of Combats on it now that I have ever owned and am considering selling it, so I would like to hold onto them. I've got a set of slightly less perfect combats or might look for an appropriate set of Targets, either of which will complement the condition of the gun itself.

What say you all??
Froggie

 

[sodacan]

Get a set of targets appropriate for the gun. They're easy find and not too expensive. The originals were never numbered to the gun, so it will basically be all original. You won't be deceiving anyone. Just say they are the period correct stocks for the gun. The combats never came standard on the early square butt guns.You're right about the numbering sequence. It was done by a crazed monkey. Good luck.

 

[Sevens]

Through at least the dash-3 and maybe through the dash-4 as well, I don't ever recall any factory original stocks other than targets with speedloader cutout.

Obviously, with S&W, absolutely anything is possible, including some stuff we haven't even thought of yet.

The originals were never numbered to the gun, so it will basically be all original.

I agree that they were not given a serial number but I can say they were given an ink-stamped date. Both my 686-3 and my 17-6, both 1988/1989 guns have the date inside the stocks.

That's not to say that you "need" to match up a date to somehow try and make the 686 look or seem more original... giving it the same stocks it was shipped with is more than enough and targets are easy to find.

I absolutely would not put combats of any condition on it to sell it... it was never the correct stock for a no-dash 686 and the combats are simply too valuable and likely unappreciated when simply added to a revolver to which they were not appropriate for the purpose of sale. I just don't see either you (the seller) or much of any buyer realizing the value of those most sought-after combats.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... triple alpha serial numbers that began in 1980 are problematic to trace. I have a Model 686 ND, NM with the serial AJZ62XX and that 3 letter sequence doesn't seem to appear in "the Book." ... ...

Your Distinguish Combat Magnum would of shipped in....

April - March of 1986.

The Standard Catalog might not have that prefix, but my personal database of over 4,000 label dates has information on five AJZ revolvers. (Including one M686 no dash). They all shipped in the date range above.

I don’t think the triple-alpha serial numbers are problematic. Just the opposite. They're very predictable. Especially when compared to S&W's previous method, which at best could tell you the year, if that.

For the first four years triple-alpha prefixes were used in a somewhat chaotic fashion. After that the dates settled down and became much more consistent and predictable.

At any given moment S&W will be using four or five different prefixes simultaneously on their revolvers. So, there's quite a bit of overlap. And the "life" of any one prefix is typically 2 - 4 months.

More often than not the higher numbers shipped first, so it's not uncommon to see ABC9xxx ship 2 months before ABC1xxx.

Today, S&W s/n's are so predictable if someone tells me one I can usually determine the ship date to within a week.

 

[Sevens]

Your personal database sounds pretty amazing! Can we help any with the few box end labels we have?

 

[Green Frog]

It just gets better and better! Special thanks to Kernel Crittenden for the specific info you provided... I can now assume that I have a fairly late example of the No Dash, since the -1 began emerging sometime in 1986. Although my example has not had the modification, it seems to be good to go, but then again I haven't pushed it all that hard yet.

Sevens, I concur with your assessment of the grip situation is absolutely spot on... I almost sold it today with those grips on it, but the most "serious" potential buyer tried to nickel and dime me on the price and P!$$3D me off so I walked. Looking back, I'm glad I did for the grips alone. As several folks have said, a pair of late targets are a lot more abundant than smooth combats, and this pair is truly a standout pair!

Well, the quest continues. I'll make the 686 as clean and pretty as possible while trying to find the "proper" grips and get ready for the next gun show. I'm in the process of a little fund raising project as I buy another house, so if I can get about the same price for the gun with pedestrian grips and then get a premium for the smooth combats (much as I love them) so much the better.

Froggie

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Your personal database sounds pretty amazing! Can we help any with the few box end labels we have?

I would welcome any labels that members would like to share. It's important to show pictures of the revolver, also. Post them in a thread or PM them to me.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

..... I can now assume that I have a fairly late example of the No Dash, since the -1 began emerging sometime in 1986. ....

You do have a late example. The very earliest -1 I've seen was April 3, 1986. Right in the same timeframe your gun shipped. The transition went on to at least June of '86.