S&W Model 60 (no dash), but NO pinned barrel???

[jad0110]

Here's an odd one.

A friend of mine recently acquired a S&W Model 60 (no dash - I saw it for myself), .38 Spl 2" barrel, but it does NOT have a pinned barrel.

I find this odd because the Std Catalog of S&W indicates that the pinned barrel was not eliminated until part way into 60-1 production in 1982.

Confusing matters more is the S/N on the butt of the gun, which begins with prefix "AEE" follwed by a 4 digit number - this prefix was not used until 1980. The 60-1 was introduced in 1972, but again his gun is a 60 no dash.

There was no star emblem stamped on the butt of the gun (or anywhere else), which would at least indicate significant factory rework.

Any thoughts, or a possible explanation?

 

[Jim K]

I can't answer that one except to say that I have seen the model number stamped very lightly, and it is possible that the dash number just didn't "take". That number is apparently hand stamped, so the depth and position varies.

In the later guns, the model and serial numbers are laser etched, so there is no variation in depth.

Jim

 

[Inscrutible]

What is a pinned barrel?

 

[jad0110]

Hmmm, I know S&W mismarks the Model number itself from time to time (pretty rare), so it would stand to reason that they might mismark (or fail to mark) the dash # as well.

What is a pinned barrel?

Here ya go (see top left). Pinned barrels (and recessed cylinder chambers on 22s and Magnum caliber guns) existed up until 1982 (though recessed chambers still exist on 22s). "Pinned and Recessed" (P&R) revolvers are generally more desireable among collectors.

 

[Oro]

There is nothing unusual here; this is standard.

S&W did not start stamping the engineering change into J-frame 60s (and other J's) until the mid or late '90s; I think -9 and -10 for the 60s. I've owned "no dash" 60's of both pinned and non-pinned type. They were of multiple "dash" variants; the dash was just not stamped. I would like to say this is covered somewhere in the SCSW but I am not positive on that point; I learned this either there or from SWCA members somewhere along the line.

I've also had a "no-dash" 36 that was non-pinned and c. mid 1980's. It was common with most all J's not to fit the dash within the narrower yoke cut. Remember, these were internal "engineering changes" and not marketing changes they meant for popular consumption. They did not envision the internet age where we would pick this apart in detail! In the later etched models (like Mr. Keenan mentioned), it was easier to fit the "dash" number and then it became standard on the J's.

Here's a 1985 vintage 60 (no pin, for what little that is actually worth) I got ANIB that has no "dash" marking on it:

 

[jad0110]

Oro,

Excellent information, I just learned something new today. I am more of a K-Frame guy, so I was not aware that was how J Frame model numbers were stamped. That answers it, it was a 60-1 made sometime between '80 and '83, judging by the S/N. Very interesting, thank you for posting!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Here's another version of a 60-1...no pinned barrel of course.

 

[Oro]

C&L - oh, bestill my heart. I have wanted one of those, or a model 50, for a long time and they always elude me. I love those; thanks for that picture.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

C&L - oh, bestill my heart. I have wanted one of those, or a model 50, for a long time and they always elude me. I love those; thanks for that picture.

You're welcome...it is a cute little thing...660 of these were made for Ashland Distributors I believe it was. The grips on it in this pic are off another variation of model 60 made exclusively for Talo Distributors.