New (To Me) S&W 36

Looks almost new on the outside, but the hammer has either been broken off at the tip or grinded off. Will probably get another hammer. Gun was almost impossible to cock, because it was FILTHY inside. Congealed goo everywhere. It's totally disassembled and taking a bath in automatic transmission fluid for a few days. It was bought off a retired NYPD officer who must never have carried it because the finish is almost flawless. Maybe a refinish? I don't know. Cops were generally too cheap to bother. Serial number is ANC1537. Not sure if it's pre- 1980 but if anybody knows, let me know!

 

Very nice M36. I have one shipped in 1975 and it was like new inside and out, I got very lucky. I just love that revolver for sure, congratulations.

I added the Tyler T Grip to the original service grips. Sorry for the poor pictures. Any flaws you might see are just the lighting, not the gun itself.

 

I actually like getting guns in need of TLC. The outside looks new. The inside was gross. But I like tearing them down and bringing them back to life. The hammer is gonna need replacement though.

I bought a LNIB, like never fired, 15-2 from 1967. Same story. Perfect outside but gummy inside. Owner must have squirted oil into the action over the years thinking he was doing a good thing.

 

Congratulations

I have a 36-2. It’s definitely a keeper. I bought it from a Cabela’s Gun Library a few years ago. It was someone’s top drawer gun. I added a BK Grip Adapter. It’s a surprisingly accurate snub nose revolver.

 

My first J frames was a M36.

Edit-Oops, wrong end.

The orginal hammer nose can break, because its a casting. Power Custom is steel. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018677141 The Rivet can be reused. Some models have a spring, some dont.
Parts may be available from S&W also. My model 28 is on its 2nd replacement.

 

It’s not the nose, it’s the rear where it’s grabbed by the thumb. I’ll probably just get one from eBay.

 

Many hammer spurs were purposely bobbed by owners to reduce snagging on clothing. Pretty common on "J" frame revolvers. Model 36s are great. I have a couple along with others in their "J" family! Most of my "J"s.

 

That was broken and then smoothed off by a Rodman’s Neck Gunsmith (NYPD Range). Very common I have seen many like this. Nice gun with some history. Figure it was at least shot 50 rounds a year.

Side note: You can tell it happened before the late 80’s or they would have ground it to total DAO once DAO became a thing in the NYPD.

 

Nice! Glad to see another J-frame rescue story.

It looks like it had a semi-bob job on the hammer spur, maybe the original owner thought he would lessen snagging while leaving something to help cock it?

My 3” 36 was massively abused. Some Bubba stripped almost all the bluing off, did a half-arsed “polish” job and nearly wiped off the trademark, then left it. I got it cheap.



I had it “restoration blued” to bring it back to a used look since trying to polish it back to a factory blue would have wiped out all the markings.



It certainly isn’t pristine, but the ol’ girl looks a lot better now than she did when we first met.

Let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance.

Stay safe.

 

Been used, still good 36 No Dash. 1960 I think.

 

yeah. Very likely. For all I know, it was dropped AT Rodman’s Neck!

I’m not sure it would have been bobbed all the way even if it happened later, since the guns were owned by the officer as you know, which is probably why all of the blue guns weren’t bobbed, but a broken hammer spur could have been deemed “unsafe” and allowed for the grinding down. Likely the cop asked for it. Cocking it with a nub is more likely to let it slip while attempting to cock it.
Who knows?

 

Excellent! Those 3” J Frames speak to me.

 

The barrel is not pinned, so it was made after 1982.

There is no lock above the cylinder release on the left side, so it was made before 2001.

Most of the AN_ serial numbers date to 1986-87. Someone else will come along shortly and pin it down more precisely.

Nice acquisition!!

 

I posted about this new 3” acquisition last week. It is in such nice shape this one sings!



Stay safe.

 

After I get it cleaned and put it back together I’ll decide if I wanna swap the hammer out. I like the option of cocking it. The rebound slide was disgusting and the hammer assembly was too, so I’m sure when it’s all clean it will cock easily with the shorter hammer spur.

 

What model 36 is it, does it have a dash? Like 36-1, -2 etc?

Good luck on finding hammer, they are scarce and expensive.

 

If my previous information (1986-87) is correct, it is a 36–1. The 36-2 (new yoke retention system, tapered barrel) came out in 1988.

Homerboy:

You can find the model number easily. Swing out the cylinder and look at the numbers stamped inside the frame. There should be “36- something “ in there somewhere.

 

Yes that serial number ANC (which is from a period of weird numbering should make it around a 1986 gun.

 

I ground the spur down completely on mine, ripped the lining to shreds in too many of my designer suits, most from a NY discount clothing chain, Sym's. "An educated consumer is our best customer".

 

Hah! I worked at Syms for a few years, first in the Roslyn store, and then the Westbury one. One of the worst jobs I ever had! Cheap customers are never happy with even the cheapest prices and they'd rip a wall apart to find something in their size!

 

here is my s&w m36 next to its big brother, the m10. truly “elegant weapons for a more civilized age.”

 

That cracked me up. I literally lol.

You could sometimes find nice suits at a good price, but a Barney's it was not. I used the store in White Plains.

I used to bring my revolver and holster to make sure a suit I might be buying didn't print too much. Sometimes got looks in the tailoring room.

 

It's a 36 no dash, but it is clearly made after 1982 since no pinned barrel and logo under cylinder latch.

It's back together and smooth, but the hammer is tough to get a hold of to cock it. I've seen them on ebay for about $50.

 

There was a guy that used to visit the Squads in Manhattan, a tailor who would make the suits custom figuring in the gun and position of carry. Measure you up and deliver in two weeks. He made some nice suits. I forget his name lasted for a few years.