S&W Chiefs Special what year made?

[treetop_66]

I've been lurking on THR for some time but haven't posted before. I was just visiting my mother who received a 38 special S&W snubby from her father. He doesn't know much about it as he received it after his sister died. Can anyone here tell me how old it is.

It appears to be a Chiefs Special no model number or name. Serial number is 96XXX. There are s no letters or prefix in the serial number.

 

[Old Fuff]

Not having a reference book handy, the best I can tell you is that they started to stamp the model number (36) on the frame in 1957 at about serial number 125,000. In January, 1956 they were around 75,000. I would estimate your Mother's revolver was most likely made during 1956.

 

[Racinbob]

Good call Old Fuff. That's how I see it but I had to look in the book.

 

[Old Fuff]

When I’m right, I’m right, and if I’m wrong I go into hiding…

 

[Racinbob]

Being more of a reader here than a poster, I'm amazed at the knowledge some of the folks have that post a lot. Old Fuff, you are one of them.

 

[Magnumite]

The reference book I have verifies what Old Fuff said.

 

[Radagast]

Standard Catalog of S&W gives the serial range for 1955 as 55050 to 75000, 1957 as 117770 to 125000, so 1956 is correct.