Model 66 markings confusing help.

[Shienhausser]

A question about the markings.

It has what looks like a C15 stamped above the serial and then perpendicular to that and almost over the serial is an S or and SS. This is on the cylinder arm.

On the frame near the butt it has the serial and then next to it a C4 C5 and C15.

It also has a U in a triangle and a V in a circle.

What does all of this mean?

 

[Guillermo]

Go to the thread at the top of revolvers DOB S&W Revolvers.

Radagast is religious about helping people date their guns.

You will probably have your answer this evening.

 

[Shienhausser]

I know the date is probably 1971 from what have discovered. I've read through the serial guides.


It's not so much the date but the other markings i'm curious about.

 

[rcmodel]

Most all of the gobblygook markings inside a S&W are factory "soft fitting" marks applied by individual fitters when they built the gun.

The marks are specific to each man, and are used to keep the fitted parts in the right gun after several dissemblys for heat treating, final assembly, polishing, etc.
Also used if guns develop problems, to be able to ID who did what to each gun.

Only the Shadow knows what mark each fitter used.

rc

 

[Guillermo]

Shienhausser

as RC says, those have no meaning.

While he knows more about such (I thought that they were "lot numbers") the main thing is that they are not anything to worry about.

BTW
It is fun to read about how enthusiastic you are.

thanks for sharing

 

[Jim K]

Well, they had a meaning at the time and in the factory. They told subsequent workers that previous manufacturing steps had been checked and were done right. For example, one mark might mean that the cylinder window had been gauged and met specs. Another mark might mean that the cylinder had been inspected and approved. So the guy installing the cylinder could count on those parts being right and didn't have to check them all over again.

Jim

 

[Shienhausser]

Thanks guys!

Yes I do get enthusiastic sometimes haha.