Every heard of a 686 "Target Champion"?

[hardertr]

Just wondering if anyone is familiar with this gun.  It was the first Smith I ever bought.  I was fortunate enough to find it while I was stationed in Germany back around '92

I've tried to find it in the valuation books AND online, but can't find it anywhere.  I have no intention of selling it, but wonder why I can't find any info on it.  All of my Google searches lead me to European sites without pictures for me to confirm it's the same gun.

Any help will be greatly appreciated,

Terry

[Graybeard]

Can't say I ever heard of one referred to by that name but for awhile S&W was into the gun of the week club kinda attitude and they made a lot of noncatalog items.

Can you describe it to us? Maybe I've seen one or even owned one and just not aware of that name attached to it. Is it marked on the gun?

[Ray Newman]

I just looked thru Supica's & Nahas' "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", 2 ed., & could not find any such designation for the 686.

As Graybeard, said a detailed escription/product code would help us. Do you still have the box?

[hardertr]

sorry it's taken so long to get back to you guys.

It's a "Model 686-3" with a 6" brushed stainless frame and barrel.  The grip is probably the BEST grip I've ever had on a handgun.  It's fairly large and right-handed made of wood.  originally, I thought the grip was an inlay made of some type of wood (almost like course sawdust), but notice now the grain runs throughout the entire grip.  SO, it's just a very-well textured solid grip.

Anything else that might help?  I have a digital camera, and can email pictures (or post here If someone wouldn't mind giving me a quick class).

I bought it through the Rod and Gun Club on base, but am pretty sure it's a European model.

unfortunately, I don't have the box anymore.  Would the Serial number help?

Thanks again for all of your help.

[Graybeard]

Dash numbers don't mean much to me. Does the barrel have the name marked on it? What markings are on the barrel? If it was shipped overseas there should be some foreign proof marks also. A photo or two would sure help. You can dump them straight from your hard drive to the GBO Gallery and get a URL assigned which you can list in the posts, they won't show as an image until you click on the URL. Or you can e-mail them to me and I can assign them a URL that will show in forums.

[hardertr]

I posted a couple of pictures, but couldn't get a good one of the proofs. On the bottom of the barrle, there is a star, and I, K, L (maybe L, K, L), then a crown, and a C. Sorry, but I'm not educated on proof markings. The barrel just has the standard "Smith & Wesson" on one side, and "S & W 357 Magnum" on the other.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1117

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1116

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1115

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1114

Thanks again.

[Graybeard]

I edited your post to put the correct URLs for the full size images rather than the thumbnails as they don't show by clicking the URLs.

I see nothing unusual about the gun other than the grips which I suspect are Herrett's and the etched name. My suspicion is that the gun was given as a prize in some shooting contest some where at some time and thus the etching on it. I don't think it's likely that it came from S&W that way. You can contact S&W and ask for Roy Jinks their historian and he should be able to tell you if it came from the factory that way.

[Ahab]

I agree with Graybeard. I have a S&W 686-3 which came with a blued type finish and standard Magnum grips. Otherwise looks the same but without the etching. Yes, it is stainless. The story is a limited run was produced for some South American country but they demanded a blue finish.