Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this ULTRA RARE double-action revolver today for a penny-start auction; this is the Smith & Wesson 66 No-Dash w/ the BLACKENED STEEL finish!
The Smith & Wesson Model 66 Connecticut State Police (CSP) contract revolvers are among the most talked-about law-enforcement variations of the early stainless K-frame .357 Magnums, largely because they’re associated with a distinctive blackened/darkened finish treatment that isn’t seen on standard commercial no-dash 66s. These CSP guns were built to meet an agency need for a durable duty revolver with reduced glare and a more traditional service appearance, giving them a very specific “contract gun” identity that collectors actively chase today. Just as important are the so-called “overrun” guns—extra revolvers produced in the same configuration beyond the agency’s final quantity (common with contract manufacturing to cover rejects, spares, or production variance). Those overruns often ended up outside the issuing agency—sold through commercial channels, distributors, or held back for other purposes—yet they retain the same contract features, which makes them especially interesting: they’re essentially CSP-spec revolvers without the typical service history, and because the run was never a normal catalog item, both the true CSP-issued guns and the overruns are considered scarce, with authentic, original-condition examples being particularly desirable.
The Smith & Wesson Museum at Butterfield & Butterfield (now historically tied to Bonhams’ premier auctions in California) once housed a curated collection of significant Smith & Wesson firearms, prototypes, custom pieces, and rare contract variations, offering collectors a rare inside look at the company’s legacy and artifacts that defined American revolver history. Being part of this museum’s offerings—especially in a high-profile sale like a Butterfield & Butterfield auction—adds a layer of provenance that serious collectors respect because it demonstrates that the firearm was vetted, valued, and deemed historically important enough to be presented alongside other iconic S&W pieces. When this Model 66 CSP overrun example appeared from the Smith & Wesson Museum inventory, it carried both the historical weight of a contract-variation revolver and the institutional credibility of a museum-curated artifact.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: 66 No-Dash CSP “Overrun”
Serial: 4K96224
Date of Manufacture: 1974
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Blackened Steel Finish (Darkened)
Barrel Length: 4" Heavy Pinned Barrel
Optics/Sights: Adjustable Rear w/ Ramped Red Insert Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Goncalvo Alves Target Grips w/ Smith & Wesson Medallions
Action: Double-Action
Markings: Standard / Lack of “CSP” Marking on the frame
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson Model 66 was introduced in 1970 as the stainless-steel counterpart to the legendary Model 19, bringing the proven K-frame .357 Magnum into the modern era. Designed to meet the needs of law enforcement officers who wanted magnum capability with improved corrosion resistance, the Model 66 retained the balance, handling, and shootability that made the K-frame famous. Early no-dash examples are especially prized by collectors for their classic features, including pinned barrels and recessed cylinders, representing the peak of traditional Smith & Wesson craftsmanship before later engineering changes. Among the rarest chapters in Model 66 history are the Connecticut State Police (CSP) contract revolvers, which are strongly associated with a distinctive blackened/darkened finish rather than the standard bright stainless appearance. These guns were not cataloged commercial offerings and were produced strictly to meet agency specifications, making them scarce from the outset. Adding to their mystique are the so-called “overrun” guns—additional revolvers manufactured beyond the agency’s required quantity to account for production variance or spares. These overruns retained CSP contract characteristics but were never issued, and because the overall production numbers were extremely limited, both issued CSP guns and overruns are considered exceptionally rare, especially when found in correct, original condition.
Further elevating the significance of certain examples is provenance from the Smith & Wesson Museum collection dispersed through Butterfield & Butterfield, one of the most respected historic firearms auction venues of its time. Firearms coming from this source were not ordinary inventory; they were curated, documented, and recognized as historically important representations of Smith & Wesson’s legacy. A revolver traced to the Smith & Wesson Museum via Butterfield & Butterfield carries institutional credibility that few firearms can claim, signaling that it was once preserved as part of the company’s own historical record rather than circulating solely in the commercial or law-enforcement market. Taken together, a Smith & Wesson Model 66 no-dash with a blackened CSP contract finish—particularly an overrun example with Smith & Wesson Museum provenance—represents an elite convergence of rarity, history, and documentation. It combines the early legacy of the Model 66, the exclusivity of a little-known law-enforcement contract, and the validation of museum-level curation. Examples like this are not merely variations; they are cornerstone pieces for advanced Smith & Wesson collectors, standing far apart from standard production revolvers in both scarcity and historical importance.
Contents:
As you can see from the many high-resolution photos, this example remains in SUPERB condition, showing slight signs of consumer use and handling. Additionally, this example will ship with the Factory-Original Smith & Wesson Matching box, Smith & Wesson Museum Label, Smith & Wesson Museum Tag, and all of the paperwork pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.