Very early Model 66

[BlackAgnes]

Stainless sights--gotta be really early. Just picked it up.

Tim

 

[USBP SW]

I purchased an early model 66 in the mid-70's (2K53--- ser.#), at the time, almost all 66 production was distributed to police departments. The all stainless sights places it in the early production.

 

[BAM-BAM]

IIRC the stainless rear sight blade only lasted a year or two.

SCS&W p. 268 stainless rear sight ""First year and a half with stainless rear sight worth $100 premium."

That said S&W never threw anything out............

 

[BlackAgnes]

I found a nice set of Presentation stocks for it in my stash!

Tim

 

[TheTinMan]

My 4” Model 66 (no dash) has stainless sights. It shipped in June of 1975. The serial number is 7K16xx, and I believe it was just before the transition to black sights.

 

[spin132]

My 4” Model 66 (no dash) has stainless sights. It shipped in June of 1975. The serial number is 7K16xx, and I believe it was just before the transition to black sights.

Interesting. The Model 66 was introduced in 1970. They must have shipped for at least 5 years with stainless rear sights (longer than I thought). Mine (2K653xx) shipped January of 1973.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[murphydog]

I recall the very first model 66s were in the late six digit K prefixes (no number in front of the K). They were made of unobtanium at the time due to LE orders at the time.

 

[sodacan]

I'm a big fan of "N" frame revolvers in 357 magnum, and have more than few. I've sold off most of my "K" frame 357's, but the only one I've kept is my early 66 with the S/S sights.

 

[srsmyth]

I remember not being able to purchase Model 66’s in the mid to late 70’s, if you wanted a
2.5” model you were laughed at if you weren’t LEO. We had to wait until LEO’s selected a different platform, and then Model 66 2.5” revolvers were $250…… Good old days.

 

[snw19_357]

It shipped in June of 1975. The serial number is 7K16xx, and I believe it was just before the transition to black sights.

Yes, and the move of the gas ring to the yoke (7K2xxxx).
[and the introduction of the 2.5" version. ]

I recall the very first model 66s were in the late six digit K prefixes (no number in front of the K).

The (May) 1970 tooling test run were in the K9491xx's.

They were made of unobtanium at the time due to LE orders at the time.

The unobtanium production M66's show up in 1973 in the 2K51xxx's.

 

[Dino44]

I started collecting in 2011. In that time, I had seen several early 66's with stainless only sights. None were in nice enough condition to consider buying, and I did not get a good sight picture with them. Also, then I did not know how good stainless could be cleaned up. Now I wish I had bought one. The examples shown above are fantastic, Thanks people.

 

[Marshal Tom]

That was my first working police gun in 1971. I worked on Marthas Vineyard at the time. With the salt air you could not keep a blued gun from rusting. Many of us purchased the model 66's for that reason. I also had a model 60. Sadly, I let them both go over the years.

 

[local_dirt]

Beautiful example of the craftsmanship of the early 66's.

 

[Doc44]

K949140 (circa 1970). The only differences between the Model 66s made in 1970 to test the new tooling and regular production revolvers is the target hammer and the silver box they were shipped in. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[Ameshawki]

My 7K8xxxx has stainless sights. Guessing 1975.

 

[bananaman]

Model 67's early guns had stainless rear sights. My no dash from 1973. Bob

 

[Marshal Tom]

I forgot to mention in my above post that I had an insert put in my front sight and changed out the rear stainless sight for a blue with white outline since that stainless sights were so hard do see. Other officers did the same.