New to me S&W model 36

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audi403

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I have been visiting this forum for quite some time as a watcher only, but today I am looking for some help. I recently acquired a Smith & Wesson model 36 Chiefs Special .38 that was my grandmothers carry pistol. I am thinking that is about 30 years old but I don't have the means to confirm anything about it. I was hoping that someone with a little more knowledge could tell me the age by the serial number. I tried to do some research on the age and the only thing I came up with was another question. On all of the model 36's original boxes there is the information sticker with the model #, the finish, barrel length, and so on. Well all the ones that I have seen have had the "special features" box empty, but mine actually has something in that box, it says #1625. Can anybody tell me what is referring to?

Number on the butt: 7J74xx
Number under the model# by the cylinder: 57091

Any help is greatly appreciated. :)
 
The number before the J prefix is going to make this a post 1983 revolver. In 1983, S&W began placing a number before the letter prefix on the J frames. The first number before a prefix was a one. I do not know if the numbers advanced by year or by the rollover of the serial. Either way, it seems unlikely this revolver is 30 years old.

In the yoke recess there should be a MOD 36 with a "dash number" ie "MOD36-2" or similar. Can you state what that dash number is? that will help to further eliminate possibilities.
 
That’s very interesting. Well from what I understand she died in '85 and had it for quite some time before that. The model number is on the frame and only says "MOD. 36", and the other number is on the yoke that is the 57091(any idea what that number is?).
 
57091 is an assembly number.

The Model 36 "no dash" ran from 1957-1966. It does not jive with the numerical prefix before the J portion of the serial. The Model 36 "no dash" had no letter prefix in the serial number anywhere. Sometimes the dash number is crowded off the yoke recess in stamping. Is the barrel pinned on this revolver? Are there small diamonds (inside the checkering) around the grip screws? What is the shape of the front sight? Is it possible to post a photo?

Could the serial be 7074XX perhaps?
 
Yep, no doubt about it, it's a 7J serial!

The pinned barrel shows it was made before 1982. The grips, if original, (and I'm 99.9999% positive they are) show it was made after 1968, and is a Model 36-1. The Bangor Punta box is pre-1980.

In short, you have a very nice Seventies era Model 38 Chief's Special. It looks to be unfired, judging by the recoil plate. I doubt seriously it was carried. Blue carry guns start to show finish wear rather quickly. On today's market you are looking at a $350 revolver.

One other point.....If you really want/have to know exactly when this revolver left Smith & Wesson, Roy Jinks, the S&W factory historian will research it and provide you with a letter that is considered to be irrefutable proof in collector's circles. The cost is $30.

I'm certain that Old Fuff will be along shortly to point out something I missed. :p
 
OUCH! My bad on the serial number.......... 1971-1972 = 1J1-999J99 on the serial number! That's according to SCS&W, page 295. Looks like you may have a 1971-72 revolver.
 
Thanks for the info, I really do appreciate it. From what I know she carried it in a case in her purse, when she would have bought it she would have been in her late 60's early 70’s, so I don't imagine that she went out that much, but when she did she had with it with her.
I don't know why but I love this gun and from the looks of it they seem to be pretty popular, I don't intend on ever letting it go. Any more information that anyone give is great. I would still like to know about the "special features" #1625if anyone knows.
 
Whatchu got there is a neat little revolver.. I have one I carried for years. That is until the little woman adopted it.

You have a neat reminder of a salty little lady that could and would take care of herself in a fix.

You can carry the gun with pride and full confidence it will do the job if you do your part.

P.S. To save you some questions, you should only use standard velocity ammo for practice. You can if you feel you really need to carry +P ammo, although I can't think you would enjoy it or need it.

There is plenty adequate 38 special ammo that will do the job and be enjoyable to shoot.

Treat that gun with the respect you would have given to Gramma, and it will take care of your family for several more generations..
 
I ended up taking it to the range on the 2nd and I put about 100 rounds through it. It was even better that I thought it would be, way more accurate that I figured it could have been.:)
 
The classic "Chief's Special". Every gun collection should have atleast one (or it's stainless cousin the 60). Your's looks like a nice one. Shoot it and enjoy it.

lesjones,

Neat web page.
 
audi403,
Nice 36! A 36 was my first S&W (or revolver for that matter!)

Just a suggestion...in the photo of your serial number, you covered up the last two digits...good idea if you do not want the entire number "out there"....

however....

the photos taken of the end of the box clearly shows the entire number. Do a little "MS paint work" on the box photo if you want to hide those last two digits. It's no big deal, just food for thought.

Enjoy your first wheel-gun!!

Bob
 
Yeah, I noticed that the other day, but I figured oh well, what’s gonna happen.:)

This isn't my first wheel gun thought. I have a small collection of guns, of course not as many as I would like. I also own in addition to the S&W mod.36, a 4" S&W 686 357, and a 50th anniversary Ohio State Highway Ruger .357 6" , And a few automatics: Beretta 96 INOX(SS) compact, and a Beretta 96D.
 
1625

"Can anyone point me in the direction to explain the "special features #1625"?"

Simply as a guess, I would say that #1625 is the retail dealer's reference number - probably a number he assigned to his guns as a means for keeping up with his FFL paperwork. I came to this conclusion because:
1) the number is in different handwriting and ink than the rest of the label
2) the gun does not appear to be anything other than a normal model 36
3) my dealer writes his "FFL log book information" on the box labels

A call to S & W will probably prove me wrong. ;)

BTW, nice gun.
 
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