Unusual 686-3 with 5inch unfluted?

[Andypick]

I just picked up a nice 686-3 with a 5inch barrel and an unfluted cylinder. I can't seem to find any interesting info on this. My first go around with S&W came up empty as I couldn't decipher my serial#. I believe it's BEG1456. The problem is that the "G" is hard to read and is likely something else. Was this a special version?

 

[Andypick]

After a closer look, the serial number starts with BEC

 

[wep45]

is it something like these.............

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_72/products_id/45997

http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/686p_021105/

 

[Andypick]

Its like the first picture only older without the key. I'm guessing early 90s. The 5 inch barrels seem rare.

 

[Oro]

Those were from 1988/1989 (your s/n is from 1989). Product code 10254 - 5" bbl, unfluted cyl. and special grips. It was a regular production gun, though certainly a less common variant.