Yet another serial number question on model 66-2

[rangeman17]

OK so I give up, maybe I'm just lazy or crazy but I don't believe I have the only one of these and if I do we'll start the bidding at $20,000. I purchased, new in 1988, from a now defunct sporting goods store (Gart Brothers) a S&W Model 66-2 but it has a serial number that is not referenced anywhere in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition. The serial number is BAP9XXX. I have pictures that show the complete number and the 66-2 when you open the cyclinder and also pictures of the revolver that verifies that it is really a S&W. I'm not sure how to post the pics and based on everyone using the x's for the last 3 digits of the serial number not sure I want that complete information out there. I am trying to find out the ship date, really the manufacture date but understand that's not possible, so if anyone can give me a clue or a first bid (see above) I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Rangeman17

 

[Engine49guy]

The 3 letter "Alpha " prefix replaced the K series serial between 1980 and 1983 starting at AAA 0001 then AAB, AAC etc etc,

Your BAP prefix is correct for a 1987-88 gun IMO.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

There's nothing special about that s/n. And even if it was, and there are some odd and unique s/n's out there, I've never seen a s/n alone add any value to a S&W's selling price.

To put a value on your M66-2 would need to know 1) condition, 2) round count (since you bought it new), 3) whether it's pinned and/or recessed, 4) if you kept the box, 5) if it has the original grips, 6) and barrel length. Pictures would be a big help.

$450 to $700 given no other info.

 

[rangeman17]

Thank you for the info regarding the serial number, but I still can't find any reference in the STSW. But the info seems to be what I was looking for and as far as the price mentioned it was truely just a joke, I don't buy until I have have checked out the specific firearm and I have never sold anything I have ever purchased thus the multiple gun safes. To the Kernel comments if I knew how I would post a picture, it is all original and only used on the range so no scratches, always cased, cleaned, and returned to the safe.

 

[S&W Fan]

You can call S&W and they will give you a rough ship time frame. I knew Gart Sports well, a good friend worked the gun counter at the Sports Castle and would always let me know when "something interesting" came in. That's when they still sold handguns in the mid 80s through the sale to Sports Authority.

 

[rangeman17]

Here are a couple of pictures of the Model 66-2 that is no longer in question.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Looks like a very nice plain Jane 6-inch non-P&R M66. Original stocks look nice. SCSW say's the -2 was made from 1982 to 1986. I would of put the BAP s/n prefix a little later, like 1988 to early 1989 based on similar s/n's I've seen. Every "B" prefix gun I've ever seen was 1988 or later. That why I wanted to see the box, there's a good chance a ship date code would of been on the end label.

 

[AveragEd]

I have 6" and 4" 66-2s with serial number prefixes AAU and AJP as well as a 2-1/2" 66-4 with a BRJ prefix. That tells us is that there is little rhyme or reason to the order of S&W serial numbers.

Ed

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

... there is little rhyme or reason to the order of S&W serial numbers.

AAU would be 1983 (-2), AJP 1986 (-2), and BRJ 1994 (-4). Those s/n prefixes and years follow normal sequence and align perfectly with the dash number time frames listed in the SCSW.

 

[AveragEd]

Well, what can I say - you get lucky sometimes. Call S&W and ask them. The nice lady with whom I spoke several years ago told me they number frames in advance of production but do not use them in sequential order, thus they don't follow "any rhyme or reason" (her words).

Ed