Found a gem today

[Joe S.]

Was hangin out this morning with dad and got a text from a friend that works at a local pawn shop. It said she had just put out a S&W 357 with box. I asked what model and barrel length and she came back with 66 and 4". Interest peaked.

I grew up shooting my dad's model 66 no dash w/ 4" barrel. It was a neat gun that i still love to this day. Pinned and recessed and stainless rear sight with no front insert. Dead eye accurate too. I still love for him to bring it on range trips. They are the only stainless guns i like, simply because of the nostalgia. Dint care about the -1's and up. Only the no dash.

But I just picked up a gun yesterday from my ffl, so i didnt figure i needed to pursue this one. But her price wasnt bad so i told myself IF it was a no dash and IF the box matched the gun is the only way i would get it. Otherwise, i was passing. I asked her about those two things and she hit me back with "no dash. Box matches."!!! Now dang it!! Ok im on my way.

Got there and what a treat. Box isnt mint but is in great shape. Has the wax paper, tissue paper, warranty card, address card for service centers, and the cleaning rod and brushes (no screwdriver). Dang. And the gun looked great.

Not sure how to tell if grips match the gun. The fit isnt the beat but they look nice, never the less. Box does match. It has some stamped numbers and symbols under the panels in the grip frame ive never seen, altho i havent fooled with many of these.

Serial # is 4k85xxx

But enough of the boring commentary. Pics:

 

[powder smoke]

Very Nice Joe! First revolver I ever purchased keeper for sure! ps

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Nice Package!
Terry

 

[jeffnles1]

With those cryptic symbols under the grips, it is obviously a fake that has been buried at some nuclear waste site. Being the friend I am, how about sending it to my local FFL and I'll take care of it for you. Heck, I won't even charge you a dime for the huge favor I'm doing.

Seriously very nice revolver and great find.

Jeff

 

[rugnelli]

That is nice!

Happy New Year!

rugnelli

 

[gunman42782]

A gem indeed!

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Sweet find, and probably the best all-around sixgun you could own.

The grips are appropriate to the gun and period-correct, thats all you can say. Grips weren't numbered to the gun on those.

 

[Joe S.]

Box is marked "T" so im guessin they are right.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

All the 4" and 6" 66s that I've ever seen came with target grips. I'm sure there were exceptions (there always are with S & Ws), but I think target grips were standard on the combat magnums, whether blued or stainless. 2 1/2" guns typically came with round-butt magnas/service grips.

Very nice gun, a definite keeper... but, if it starts to annoy you, you can send it my way to keep company with its 2 1/2" sister here (had a 4" one, too, but somehow it found its way to my son's house and never came home).

A boxed, SS sight no-dash with papers and tools is not an everyday find, for sure.

 

[Chance]

That's nice, good catch

 

[rugerguy]

good gun, and as noted above "righteous",thats how they came, and all them stamps/marks are 'production issued', steps in the manufacturing process...the "T" (oversized target grips) of that era were NOT 'marked'(numbered) to the gun......so would be correct
NICE gun, NICE pictures, you did well, that is a "keeper"....... :wink:

 

[JOHNNY WACKO]

sure is a nice find. congrats

 

[mjpchief]

I have the twin to that. Unfired. When Dad got he put cable ties around the cylinder and hammer. Hammer never pulled back nor has the cylinder been opened or turned since he got it. Since Dad passed it has been in my safe only to be looked at and held.

 

[Joe S.]

My dad also has its twin. But its life hasnt been so leisurely. Ha.