Age and value of S&W 66-1?

mrstang01 · August 22, 2009, 03:53 PM

Trying to determine the age and value of my new acquisition. It's a Smith 66-1. Stainless, 4 inch barrel, in Very Good condition. Serial number is 519xx. Does anybody have any idea?

Thanks,

Michael

Radagast · August 22, 2009, 08:07 PM

The number you have given is not the serial number. It sounds like the assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory. The serial number will have a K in or in front of it. and will always be found on the bottom of the grip frame, sometimes duplicated on the frame under the cylinder hinge. Post the serial number and we will give you the year. The 66-1 was produced from 1977 to 1988. If there is a pin in the frame holding the barrel in place then it was produced in 1982 or earlier.

madcratebuilder · August 23, 2009, 08:07 AM

The S&W M66 was introduced in 1971. The 66-1 was produced from 71 to 82. The -1 moved the gas ring from yoke to cylinder. It is pinned and recessed. In 1982 the -2 eliminated the cylinder counterbore (recessed).

A 4" 66-1 in 98% can run $450 and up depending on what part of the country your in. Does it have box and papers? What grips? This all effects price.

Webleymkv · August 23, 2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

In 1982 the -2 eliminated the cylinder counterbore (recessed).

The pinned barrel was also eliminated with the -2.

JFoster77 · August 17, 2010, 11:44 PM

I know it has been a while since this has been posted on but I have one that I am trying to sell too. Mine is a 66-1 with serial no. 39k2979. I think it is an early production. Anyone have an Idea of it's value. I want to know how much I can fairly sell it for. From what I've been reading it's a 70's police issue weapon. This one is located in GA. Any thoughts? photo-3.JPG

SSgt Jeremy Foster
USAF

S&W-Keeper · August 20, 2010, 09:50 PM

You can probably get $400 to $450 for it, if it is in good shape.The pinned barrel makes it worth a little more.

Elvishead · August 21, 2010, 12:23 AM

S&W-Keeper

Quote:

The pinned barrel makes it worth a little more.

Really, why is that?

madcratebuilder · August 21, 2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvishead

S&W-Keeper

Quote:
The pinned barrel makes it worth a little more.
Really, why is that?

The pinned and recessed revolvers are more desirable to most collectors. These operations were dropped to reduce labor and machine costs.

Elvishead · August 21, 2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

madcratebuilder

The pinned and recessed revolvers are more desirable to most collectors. These operations were dropped to reduce labor and machine costs.

Are you saying a pinned barrel is better? I'm not sure what you mean by recessed revolvers.

540mope · August 22, 2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

I'm not sure what you mean by recessed revolvers

someone's video explaining P&R revolvers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyc6HIQ97p0

Webleymkv · August 22, 2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

S&W-Keeper

Quote:
The pinned barrel makes it worth a little more.

Really, why is that?

The pinned barrel and recessed chambers were dropped in 1982 with the introduction of the 66-2. Doing so was a cost saving measure as both features were determine to be unnecessary by S&W. Collectors typically prefer P&R guns as, since they are no longer made, they are more difficult to find. Also, some say that the overall quality of S&W product declined when the P&R features were eliminated (of course, the same has been said of nearly every change S&W has ever made). Having owned both pre-1982 and post-1982 S&W revolvers, I myself cannot detect any discernable difference in quality of finish, trigger, or accuracy.

Elvishead · August 23, 2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

540mope

someone's video explaining P&R revolvers

Thank you.

VT Bohunk · October 6, 2010, 08:11 AM

I recently bought a "New in Box" S&W 3913 and would like to know when it was manufactured. I know they discontinued this model several years ago, and it is old enough that it's box is cardboard, so pre-plastic storage case anyway. The serial number is VCE8xxx. Any help would be appreciated

In The Ten Ring · February 8, 2018, 03:09 AM

I just bought a S&W 66-1 myself. It's x-police but I could not find out what department. I should have it in hand in about a week. I've been looking for a 66 or 66-1 off and on since 2002 or so.

Contact Smith and Wesson if you have any serial number questions, they will answer those.

DaleA · February 8, 2018, 04:07 AM

Not to bust your chops (well, maybe just a little) but this thread is from 2010 and some of the folk, like the one right before your post, haven't been back since then...but some are still around so take my comment with a grain of salt.

lamarw · February 8, 2018, 12:35 PM

The more desirable is the no dash and the -1. The -2 is also of higher desirability as others have stated. You will often see the shorter barrels, 2 1/2", bringing a higher price. There was also a small run of 3" barreled in the early guns that are highly valued if my memory serves me well.

As always condition is a key factor in value.

HighValleyRanch · February 8, 2018, 12:36 PM

LOL! Talking to ghosts!

gwpercle · February 8, 2018, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighValleyRanch

LOL! Talking to ghosts!

It's only 9 years old !

Model12Win · February 8, 2018, 05:07 PM

Good stoppers. I love mine.

Ibmikey · February 9, 2018, 05:48 AM

One of the great stupid moves by S&W was the elimination of the 66 from production, the current replacement is not even close to the quality of the original. I will be shooting mine when Gabriel stops by to direct me to the after life.

In The Ten Ring · February 9, 2018, 06:55 AM

Not to bust your chops (well, maybe just a little) but this thread is from 2010 and some of the folk, like the one right before your post, haven't been back since then...but some are still around so take my comment with a grain of salt.

Now to completely bust your chops (only in humor though) look at all the people that have weighed in since I revived it.

I didn't take offense at your reply though.

Tom2 · February 9, 2018, 09:34 AM

I got a 66-3 but I would not trade for a current version. The wood factory grips are long gone. I should have kept them, seeing the prices now for those. But I prefer something better for actual magnum shooting. Anyone care to speculate why the common factory grips have gone up 5 times their usual price at gunshow tables some years ago? Not gonna see me coughing up 100$ for a pair of used magnas.

CajunBass · February 10, 2018, 07:41 AM

Smith & Wesson factory grips have gone up because a lot of us just threw them away "back in the day." Gun stores had boxes full of them taken off when the new owner put some kind of aftermarket grips on their new gun. Some would toss the boxes and papers at the same time. They were just old wood grips and cardboard boxes. Now people want to restore those guns to as close to original as they can, hence the demand is up.

Look on E-bay. You should be able to find K-frame grips under $100. Magna's will be less, targets more.

223 shooter · February 10, 2018, 12:45 PM

I bought my 66-1 several years ago with factory target stocks and remember a time when those grips were practically worthless. How that has changed! In the pic I had installed a pair of Hogue grips for while. Have not fired the 66-1 much but has shown decent accuracy potential.

Later picked up a 66-5 also a 4" - that one is a really accurate shooter. I hope to once again find an older pre-lock 66 with a 2.5" barrel but those really command a premium these days!

August 22, 2009, 03:53 PM	#1
mrstang01 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2002 Location: Central KY Posts: 102	Age and value of S&W 66-1? Trying to determine the age and value of my new acquisition. It's a Smith 66-1. Stainless, 4 inch barrel, in Very Good condition. Serial number is 519xx. Does anybody have any idea? Thanks, Michael

August 17, 2010, 11:44 PM	#5
JFoster77 Junior Member Join Date: August 17, 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 3	I have one too I know it has been a while since this has been posted on but I have one that I am trying to sell too. Mine is a 66-1 with serial no. 39k2979. I think it is an early production. Anyone have an Idea of it's value. I want to know how much I can fairly sell it for. From what I've been reading it's a 70's police issue weapon. This one is located in GA. Any thoughts? photo-3.JPG SSgt Jeremy Foster USAF

October 6, 2010, 08:11 AM	#13
VT Bohunk Junior Member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Posts: 1	Manufacture date of my new purchase I recently bought a "New in Box" S&W 3913 and would like to know when it was manufactured. I know they discontinued this model several years ago, and it is old enough that it's box is cardboard, so pre-plastic storage case anyway. The serial number is VCE8xxx. Any help would be appreciated

February 8, 2018, 12:36 PM	#17
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	LOL! Talking to ghosts! __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

February 9, 2018, 09:34 AM	#22
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I got a 66-3 but I would not trade for a current version. The wood factory grips are long gone. I should have kept them, seeing the prices now for those. But I prefer something better for actual magnum shooting. Anyone care to speculate why the common factory grips have gone up 5 times their usual price at gunshow tables some years ago? Not gonna see me coughing up 100$ for a pair of used magnas. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

August 22, 2009, 08:07 PM	#2
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	The number you have given is not the serial number. It sounds like the assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory. The serial number will have a K in or in front of it. and will always be found on the bottom of the grip frame, sometimes duplicated on the frame under the cylinder hinge. Post the serial number and we will give you the year. The 66-1 was produced from 1977 to 1988. If there is a pin in the frame holding the barrel in place then it was produced in 1982 or earlier.

August 23, 2009, 08:07 AM	#3
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	The S&W M66 was introduced in 1971. The 66-1 was produced from 71 to 82. The -1 moved the gas ring from yoke to cylinder. It is pinned and recessed. In 1982 the -2 eliminated the cylinder counterbore (recessed). A 4" 66-1 in 98% can run $450 and up depending on what part of the country your in. Does it have box and papers? What grips? This all effects price.

August 20, 2010, 09:50 PM	#6
S&W-Keeper Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2009 Location: SE-SC Posts: 443	You can probably get $400 to $450 for it, if it is in good shape.The pinned barrel makes it worth a little more.

February 8, 2018, 03:09 AM	#14
In The Ten Ring Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2018 Posts: 380	I just bought a S&W 66-1 myself. It's x-police but I could not find out what department. I should have it in hand in about a week. I've been looking for a 66 or 66-1 off and on since 2002 or so. Contact Smith and Wesson if you have any serial number questions, they will answer those.

February 8, 2018, 04:07 AM	#15
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Not to bust your chops (well, maybe just a little) but this thread is from 2010 and some of the folk, like the one right before your post, haven't been back since then...but some are still around so take my comment with a grain of salt.

February 8, 2018, 12:35 PM	#16
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	The more desirable is the no dash and the -1. The -2 is also of higher desirability as others have stated. You will often see the shorter barrels, 2 1/2", bringing a higher price. There was also a small run of 3" barreled in the early guns that are highly valued if my memory serves me well. As always condition is a key factor in value.

February 8, 2018, 05:07 PM	#19
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Good stoppers. I love mine.

February 9, 2018, 05:48 AM	#20
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	One of the great stupid moves by S&W was the elimination of the 66 from production, the current replacement is not even close to the quality of the original. I will be shooting mine when Gabriel stops by to direct me to the after life.

February 9, 2018, 06:55 AM	#21
In The Ten Ring Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2018 Posts: 380	Not to bust your chops (well, maybe just a little) but this thread is from 2010 and some of the folk, like the one right before your post, haven't been back since then...but some are still around so take my comment with a grain of salt. Now to completely bust your chops (only in humor though) look at all the people that have weighed in since I revived it. I didn't take offense at your reply though.

February 10, 2018, 07:41 AM	#23
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Smith & Wesson factory grips have gone up because a lot of us just threw them away "back in the day." Gun stores had boxes full of them taken off when the new owner put some kind of aftermarket grips on their new gun. Some would toss the boxes and papers at the same time. They were just old wood grips and cardboard boxes. Now people want to restore those guns to as close to original as they can, hence the demand is up. Look on E-bay. You should be able to find K-frame grips under $100. Magna's will be less, targets more. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)