[bparsley]

Hey folks,

I saw another thread about this model, but am toeing the line of "each gun deserves it's own thread".

We have GP's old S&W Airweight .38 and have cleaned it just enough to unlock it from a frozen death - of sorts.

SN: 60400
Blue Steel
Fixed sight
.38 SPL CTG
Wood grips/silver(nickel/tin) S&W emblem on grips.

Pops was a Trenton, NJ Patrolman after serving in the Flying Tigers in Shanghai, China prior and during WWII. Pops retired in 1970 with honors (he chose to remain a beat cop - who knows why??? ;). Honestly, he was a good man who cared for his neighborhood and cared NOT for the influx of undesirables which - in turn - decimated downtown Trenton.

We know it has been fired, but do not know EXACTLY when (or who at?) it was made. We are guessing early-to mid 1950's.

Any insight into this wonderful piece which helped keep many safe during some rather turbulent times in Trenton, NJ (riots, etc) would be truly appreciated.

I feel certain there are hundreds of these, but it is special to us. We are considering refinishing the piece for a memorial to place in his precinct.

Thanks in advance.

Brad

[Riss]

No offense to his precinct. But that piece is also part of your family's history. Not to say they do not deserve it, in a spot to honor your Grandfather, but a spot in your own home will make it easier to hand it down to your own grandkids some day. As for refinishing it, unless it is rusty and in terrible condition I would leave it in its present condition. Its wear will indicate how long he carried it protecting us all.

[rcmodel]

O.K.
We got some conflicting information here.

You said it was an Airweight, then later said:
SN: 60400
Blue Steel

If it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight, it has an aluminum frame with a steel barrel & cylinder.

If it is an all steel Model 36 Chiefs Special, it is not an Airweight.

Anyway, assuming it is a 5-shot J-frame, that serial number dates it to 1955.

And I agree, having it refinished for a memorial would be a sacrilege.
It and your grandfather earned every one of those battle scars, and refinishing it would just not be right!

If it is badly rusted, have it cleaned up to stop the rust, but please don't refinish it.

rc

[43171C]

Hello Brad, I too have a question. Does the little Smith have the shrouded hammer? What doe it weigh? I worked Garland County Sheriffs Dept, Hot Springs Arkansas about 34 years ago. I purchased a new Airweight Bodyguard for a backup, it had the shrouded hammer and weighed if I remember correctly, 13 ounces. New, I gave $155 for it in the mid 70's. Made a mistake and sold it in 81 for $200.

And as someone earlier said, if it is not in really bad shape, do NOT try and restore it.

For What it's Worth.

J.C.

[43171C]

Hello again Brad,

If I remember correctly the Airweight Bodyguard was NOT designed to handle the +P ammo.

J.C.

[krs]

Brad,

Not on topic for the pistol, but to the idea of a memorial placed in the precinct.

When my father passed members of my family and I decided to have a bench made and placed at a viewpoint across the street from his store, in which he'd been a fixture of local color, mentioned in several books, interviewed twice for TV specials, and a lifelong friend of the community as well as several celebrity figues. (He was best buds of Joe DiMaggio, for example). In short, everyone knew him and loved him in that town.

So we got city approval and had a nice ornate bench made with a specially cast memorial bronze plaque inset and attached. It looked good and there was a small city ceremony on it's unvieling that got a front page blurb.

I went back by the place about one year later - I haven't lived there since I was seventeen. The bench was broken and covered with graffiti and the plaque had been torn out and was gone. The whole image was sad.

Don't trust that the community cares, and keep your heirlooms as your personal family history.