Model 36 Chiefs Special

[Big Buzzy]

I picked up a Model 36 Chief's Special serial in the 45XXX range. can someone point me in the direction where I can find out more about the gun

 

[Rick O'Shea]

S&W will tell you a born on date,.. what info are you looking for?

 

[deerdad]

Try the Smith and Wesson forum.

 

[greencobra]

Smith & Wesson Model 36 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Marty McFly]

Smith and wesson forum.
Is it pre lock?

 

[deerdad]

Posted same time.

 

[Big Buzzy]

Smith and wesson forum.
Is it pre lock?

not sure what pre lock means

 

[Picton]

Post a pic here. We'll tell you all we know.

I could tell you "pre lock" means there's no little keyhole partially obscured by the cylinder release, and then ask you what shape the cylinder release is, but if you don't even know what "pre lock" means, I have to wonder what else you don't know.

Seriously, just post a pic. Both sides. I LOVE model 36s.

 

[Big Buzzy]

here is what I have

Thanks

 

[Picton]

Flat-latch 36, made between 1950 and 1966. Serial suggests 1953, I think.

I think it's been refinished.

 

[Big Buzzy]

any idea what its worth ??? I think the finish is original but I could be mistaken

 

[Big Buzzy]

Flat-latch 36, made between 1950 and 1966. Serial suggests 1953, I think.

I think it's been refinished.

and Thank you for that info

 

[Toast]

I've shot a Model 36 in the past using both the factory grips and a set of Pachmayer ones. My accuracy was better with the Pachmayer, but the factory grips seemed to give a more pleasant shooting experience.

 

[pj150]

That's a baby chief. Extra screw and rounded trigger guard. Early model 36 (pre 36) prob 1950's.

 

[ridleyman]

Maybe Efrem Zimbalist Jr can help you out. Didn't he carry one on the FBI?

 

[Big Buzzy]

always a smart ass on the thread

 

[straightshooterjake]

Flat-latch 36, made between 1950 and 1966. Serial suggests 1953, I think.

I think it's been refinished.

That's a baby chief. Extra screw and rounded trigger guard. Early model 36 (pre 36) prob 1950's.

OP, you got a really cool old gun. I don't have time to look things up right now, but the above info is good.

I would call it a pre-36 because it does not have the 36 marked on the frame where the yoke closes. The model numbers were added in the late 1950's, 1957 I think. 1953 seems very likely for this gun.

Some parts of the finish do look odd, but I'm not sure why, and it can be hard to tell from photos. On the right side of the gun, the top of the frame behind the cylinder does not look great. However, the screw holes are not dished out, and the seam around the sideplate looks good. The seam is often damaged by the polishing to do a refinish. On the left side of the gun, the S&W logo below the cylinder latch does look faint and uneven, which could be a sign of refinishing.

I don't mean these comments on the finish in a negative way. It is a very cool gun, that will undoubtedly be reliable and fun. The phrase "they don't make them like that anymore" really truly applies to a pre model number S&W like this one.

 

[slugworth]

I have one of these that was my father’s, mind if I post pictures here as well for info?

 

[Asaltweapon]

I have one of these that was my father’s, mind if I post pictures here as well for info?

That’s what the forum is for.
I personally hope it’s bad photos and the finish is original.

 

[Picton]

Some parts of the finish do look odd, but I'm not sure why, and it can be hard to tell from photos.

I'm no expert on older S&W finishes, except that I've seen several. So I can't really quantify it either.

I said I question the finish for a few reasons: some of the finish looks more "matte" than it should, but that's mostly a gut feeling. Then there's the fact it looks much better than it should, though if it was a safe queen, that's not a big thing. Lastly, the cylinder ring looks a lot less pronounced than I would think it would.

All, given the age of the piece; it doesn't look like a 70-year-old revolver. If that is the original finish? It's in beautiful shape.

 

[TG Pioneer]

I’ve always loved S&W revolvers. Great actions, classic style, and just plain cool. OP, you have a really nice gun there.

 

[jct61765]

I'm no expert on older S&W finishes, except that I've seen several. So I can't really quantify it either.

I said I question the finish for a few reasons: some of the finish looks more "matte" than it should, but that's mostly a gut feeling. Then there's the fact it looks much better than it should, though if it was a safe queen, that's not a big thing. Lastly, the cylinder ring looks a lot less pronounced than I would think it would.

All, given the age of the piece; it doesn't look like a 70-year-old revolver. If that is the original finish? It's in beautiful shape.

The pictures are not good enough to tell if it has been refinished. This is a model 31, I think. I picked it up along time ago. It is original. I have the box and paperwork. That is real mother of pearl grips.

 

[Broc]

I picked up a Model 36 Chief's Special serial in the 45XXX range. can someone point me in the direction where I can find out more about the gun

Does it deny LTC applications while you shoot it?

 

[Big Buzzy]

I'm no expert on older S&W finishes, except that I've seen several. So I can't really quantify it either.

I said I question the finish for a few reasons: some of the finish looks more "matte" than it should, but that's mostly a gut feeling. Then there's the fact it looks much better than it should, though if it was a safe queen, that's not a big thing. Lastly, the cylinder ring looks a lot less pronounced than I would think it would.

All, given the age of the piece; it doesn't look like a 70-year-old revolver. If that is the original finish? It's in beautiful shape.

Thanks. I had it looked at my a certified gun smith. His opinion was original finish. Any idea what it is worth ????

 

[TG Pioneer]

The pictures are not good enough to tell if it has been refinished. This is a model 31, I think. I picked it up along time ago. It is original. I have the box and paperwork. That is real mother of pearl grips.

Model 31 was a 32 long IIRC.

 

[Asaltweapon]

Thanks. I had it looked at my a certified gun smith. His opinion was original finish. Any idea what it is worth ????

You should have asked your smith.

 

[Big Buzzy]

You should have asked your smith.

why are there so many smart ass people on this sight. you go to the sight for some info and one or two d****ickheads alway chime in

 

[Marty McFly]

why are there so many smart ass people on this sight. you go to the sight for some info and one or two d****ickheads alway chime in

Actually he was making a joke. I found it funny. Dry humor doesn't make him a dickhead.
The problem Is when people read those remarks and never fathom they had a big grin when writing it.

 

[appraiser]

it is worth what someone will pay for it.

are the grips original? Serialized to the gun?

trace ring around the cylinder?

holster wear ?

Holster wear at the end of the barrel?

Rifling? Forcing cone? blast wear of the finish at the cylinder/barrel interface?

Tight lock up?

Box?

All those things determine value, and nobody is going to put a value on a gun based on pictures without inspecting it.

I love J frames, but they have a limited market, especially older ones that are not going to be able to eat a steady diet of +P ammo

to me is is a $325 dollar gun, there are too many nice Model 60's out there for not much more

 

[Big Buzzy]

it is worth what someone will pay for it.

are the grips original? Serialized to the gun?

trace ring around the cylinder?

holster wear ?

Holster wear at the end of the barrel?

Rifling? Forcing cone? blast wear of the finish at the cylinder/barrel interface?

Tight lock up?

Box?

All those things determine value, and nobody is going to put a value on a gun based on pictures without inspecting it.

I love J frames, but they have a limited market, especially older ones that are not going to be able to eat a steady diet of +P ammo

to me is is a $325 dollar gun, there are too many nice Model 60's out there for not much more

I appreciate the straight up answer.

Thanks you