model 37

[bill boucher]

we are dividing up a small gun collection. one of the ones that i am intrested is a model 37. i am thinking that it is an older one because there is no number after the 37. it also has a pinned barrell. the sn# is 195597. the gun is in excellent shape except for the shiney holster wear on the alloy parts of the frame. my questions are 1- what is the dob 2-is there a fix for the shiney holster wear. 3- are the older models more valuable than the recent ones- thanks in advance- bill

 

[rcmodel]

Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight with that serial number would be from about 1960.

The J serial number prefix started in 1969.

The pinned barrel was eliminated in 1982.
The 37-1 came out in 1988.

There is nothing you can do to refinish the hard anodized frame except send it off and have it refinished.

The barrel & cylinder can be touched up with a cold blue product, but it will look like hell and come back off shortly.

There would be no extra added value for an earlier 37 with finish wear.
It is what it is.

rc