S&W model 681 new purchase

gjgibeau

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central Alberta
I just purchased a possibly rare revolver. it is a model 681 in 38 special serial# AHU43XX I bought it online from an Edmonton Auction.
It is said to be one of 2 made for Chicago PD testing in about 1985. the description says as new with box papers etc. I did some initial checking on line and it says the NYPD ordered
2 for testing but as of yet I cant find any other info other than that a Rail line had 400+ made for them a few years later. I just bought it yesterday on line so I am unsure if is a 681-1 or 681-2 etc
and I am working away from home and no access to my S&W book. If anyone has any info etc that would be greatly appreciated. IT WAS LOT #67 in the Wards auction site for yesterdays sale
it is said to be the only one registered in Canada and only one other is registered in the US
I am really curious if I got a gem or just another shooter.

here is the link to the site and gun description

http://www.icollector.com/Smith-Wes...bbl-6-shot-Revolver-w-102-mm-bbl-St_i18497778

thanks
 
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thanks graydog But this one is 38 special only marked right on the 4" barrel fixed sights stainless finish if it helps I can send you the complete serial # I wish I had all my books with me
 
IIRC the 581/681 where basically just fixed sight versions of the 586/686. You'd have to contact Smith directly to get this story verified. Depending on what they say you might have a collectible of sorts.
 
I didn't even know that a .38 681 existed--even .357 681s are not super common. The S&W forum had some threads but all I could find was the reference to the ConRail Police Department ones...and one poster mentioned that those had "BDT" as the s/n prefix. My 686 that I bought in 1985 had an AFF serial number so yours does sound like it could be from the same year. It sounds like a really neat, really rare revolver!
 
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Nice piece! Older Smith's are awesome.

18497778_2.jpg
 
I didn't even know that a .38 681 existed--even .357 681s are not super common. The S&W forum had some threads but all I could find was the reference to the ConRail Police Department ones...and one poster mentioned that those had "BDT" as the s/n prefix. My 686 that I bought in 1985 had an AFF serial number so yours does sound like it could be from the same year. It sounds like a really neat, really rare revolver!

I think New York State Police may have issued them as well.
 
from what I have tried to find out the Conrail police ones are 681-3 a later version and that The NYPD had gotten S&W to send them 2 681's in 38 special. I will be sending S&W a letter tonight to try to get some verification. thanks for the comments. and I will keep posted what I find out. hopefully I did well I paid $650 total with auction premium and taxes

ST1264 thanks for posting the picture I am too computer stupid to figure out how to do that
 
from what I have tried to find out the Conrail police ones are 681-3 a later version and that The NYPD had gotten S&W to send them 2 681's in 38 special. I will be sending S&W a letter tonight to try to get some verification. thanks for the comments. and I will keep posted what I find out. hopefully I did well I paid $650 total with auction premium and taxes

ST1264 thanks for posting the picture I am too computer stupid to figure out how to do that
That's an excellent price for such a rare handgun.
 
681 was also the issue gun for Minnesota State Patrol in .357 magnum in the 1980's. I have never heard of one in .38 special.
 
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