[Gordon]

I bought for $275 Friday a 4" round butt J frame (mod 36) with adj sights! I knew they were out there in small numbers but it took 20 years before I found one. This gun is a solid 95% but has no box. It does have a S&W holster; tan basket stamped open top that is cool on it own merit. The gun is nickeled and is a perfect match for my Mod 34 kit gun .22 from 70's. It is pinned but not recessed I think it was an early 80's Lew Horton .38 spl Kit Gun . I know they are scarce as hens teeth and I am excited. Yes I will shoot it. I think a head to head test report against my 4" Colt police positive special from 1977 is in order!

[Litlman]

Sounds nice and a good price too! Do you have any pics?

[Rover]

It is pinned but not recessed
FYI: Model 36's have never been recessed.

Sounds like a nice revolver.
I have seen a lot of 36's, but I have never seen a 4 inch 36.
I too would like to see a picture.

Regards


http://209.211.253.6/goodstuff/flag//ga.gif

[Gordon]

With in a month I should be able to post pic's. I don't have possesion of gun yet am in the 10 day wait. Thanks for informing me about the lack of recessed chambers on Mod 36. I sold the old flat latch one i had about 10 years ago.

[Frenchy]

Very interesting...I was not aware of the "Chief's Special" being made in a 4" model. There is no mention of it in the "SC of S&W". I would love to see the pics.

[Mike Irwin]

I'm away from my books, but I think if you've got a 4" Chief's Special you've got a one of a kind gun.

I don't think they ever made them in anything but 2" and 3".

Only the magnums and the rimfires have used recessed chambers.

But, I'm pretty sure that an adjustable sight Chief's Special is worth a lot more than $275. You got a good deal.

[ruger357]

Nice find. Good price.

[Gordon]

Thats what I comb gunshops for . Don't you guys remember as I do the Lew Horton .38 special J frame kit guns they advertised back in early 80's before smith started giving people what they wanted? The small run guns back then were the heralds of what was later factory offered. I remember the first snub RB n frames, the 3" K frames the kit gun .22 on lightweight frames ect. I remember on this .38 spec deal I kicked my self for not ordering one as I liked the concept for backpacking. I remember they were factory introduced in 90's. My friend just bought the Scandium .357 version. Everyone in 70's was bugging Smith (on deaf ears) to make .38 Kit Guns.

[Brian Williams]

looking thru The Standard Catalog I could not find any reference to a 4" J frame. If it is a 4" gun probably is a special mod or order and I would think if factory would be worth alot or a custom job then what the market will bear..

[Erich]

Wow, that would be a great gun. Ever since I read the James Bond books, I got excited about the idea of a J-frame with a decent-length bbl. I seem to recall that some Brit character claimed they made 5"-bbl'd Bodyguards . . . Fleming never could get his gun facts straight. :rolleyes: Still, intriguing idea.

I've always wanted a 5" bbl'd SP-101 in .357, too. Not that they ever made those. :(

[Mike Irwin]

Well, I'm still away from my books, but that version STILL isn't ringing any bells, Gordon.

[Gordon]

:o Well guys my apoligies for mis information! I went back to gunshop and asked to see my gun they are holding for DROS and brought a ruler. It is 3" and not 4". It is marked 'mod 36' in crane area of frame. It is in factory nickle , it DOES have adj. sights that look like they are factory, BUT I have my suspicions that a MASTERFUL SMITH sunk them in , with out harming rest of finish. The front sight is higher than 1 7/8" model 36 but not as high as Mod 34 4" and is nickel still, the ejector rod is longer, and I was fooled by the much longer barrel length diferrence to snub guns, but the ruler didn't lie. I am NOT disappointed in the least with the purchase: gun is minty and it fooled a cursory exam by me of being factory IF it ain't. Serial # is J 267** if somebody like Mike Irwin has book out trying to find an impostor. I would have to look at my buried mod 34's top strap to determine if sights were factory installed , the fit so tight I can't see any machining marks with raw steel and I am 100% SURE it is FACTORY nickel. What I get on a quick excited purchase with a friend with me that 'had to get going' Sorry once again.:o

[Mike Irwin]

Gordon,

Now that you've got it, you need to know something rather important...

There were about 200 adjustable-sight Model 36s made in the 36-1 range, and called the Chief's Special Target models.

If this is an actual CST, it could be worth upwards $1,000.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson says that the CSTs were made on the 36-1 variation, and your gun is a 36-1 by the serial number (early to mid 1969, I'd say).

You may wish to contact the factory about this one. You may end up not shooting it. :)

[Frenchy]

Gordon,

I completely agree with Mike on this...in checking the book, it could very well be a CST. it would be well worth the money to "letter' it from Roy Jinks.