??????s on a S&W 66-1

[OldTman]

I'm very new to this forum so if I've posted this in the wrong place my apologies in advance. I'm sure someone will tell me where to go since that's been happening my whole adult life. I have a 66-1 serial # 98K88xx. I've a couple of questions about it. First, does anybody have the faintest idea when it was made. I'm not the first owner. I traded it with a gentle of impeccable reputation (as far as I'm concerned). Now I might be going to sell it after a few days. I've looked on gunbroker and the S&W forum and neither really satisfied me as to value. The chambers are recessed and it does not have that abysmal lock. It's a 2.5 incher with a barely discernable ring around the cylinder. The grips are rubber and I don't think they're original but I may be wrong. I can't tell if long barrels are more valuable or short barrels are. I'm going to try to put a couple of pics in here.

 

[pharmer]

The grips aren't original. RB "service" grips would be proper. That's a late -1 as the cylinder looks like it has the recessed feature (for the cartridge rims) but lacks the pinned barrel. Worth around $500 ($400-$600)depending on the buyer. HTH. Joe

 

[Chindo18Z]

Manufactured sometime 1977-1981.

I have an identical revolver with identical grips. I believe that all -1s came originally with wood round butt grips.

BTW: In theory, a -1's barrel should be pinned (as well as the cylinder being recessed). It's probably a transition model between the -1 & -2 changes (which would probably refine year of manufacture to 1981-1982). Pinned barrel and recessed cylinder went away with the -2 version in 1982.

As with all guns, prices vary by region, but I'd estimate that the weapon (as described) would easily fetch ~ $600 at auction, gun shop, or at a gun show. If lucky, a buyer might find a much better deal (~$450 - $500) in the occasional pawnshop.

66's (all of them) are appreciating in value as they are no longer made and are mighty fine revolvers. 2.5 inch versions have become semi-collectible.

The grip screw rust needs to be oiled and wiped clean if you plan on selling. Check under the grips for additional rust. Probably carried in a holster in hot weather.

Hope this helps...

 

[OldTman]

Thanks very much to Chindo and pharmer for their Most informative remarks. I really appreciate it. Frankly, I didn't notice the rust on the grip screw.

 

[pendennis]

The Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson (SCSW) shows that your model 66 was shipped sometime during 1981.

Since it lacks the pinned barrel feature, it probably won't have a counterbored cylinder, either. However, with S&W one learns to never say, or write, "never". It's possibly a transition model, with a recessed cylinder, but no pinned barrel. When S&W eliminated the recessed cylinders in their magnum revolvers, they also shortened the nominal measurement of the cylinder. The only revolvers remaining with recessed cylinders are .22's.

The pinned barrel is really a cosmetic feature. S&W changed their method of fitting barrels in the mid-1950's. The pin was kept on until ca. 1982. Barrels were torqued the same way that Colt's and all rifles have been done for years.

 

[OldTman]

Thanks pendennis. It does have the recessed chambers.

 

[Fishslayer]

"Pinned not recessed" and "Recessed not pinned" are not that unusual. S&W used up existing stock when transitioning.

If I got my hands on a 2.5" M66 I would have a hard time letting it go, but that's just me.

My guess would be that a snubby like that hasn't seen a lot of Big Dog magnum loads unless the owner was a masochist.

 

[jad0110]

If I got my hands on a 2.5" M66 I would have a hard time letting it go, but that's just me.

My guess would be that a snubby like that hasn't seen a lot of Big Dog magnum loads unless the owner was a masochist

I've got a 2.5" 66, and I'd never, ever let it go. Well, except for perhaps a P&R Model 19 in good cosmetic and excellent mechanical condition.

Magnums do kick quite a bit, but they aren't too bad, but that is just me. I shoot mine with the stock walnut service panel grips and a Tyler T grip.