serial no.: 3028**

not the most robust roll-stamp I've ever seen

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I vote "yes." According to Supica & Nahas 3d ed, at page 209, the 36-1 began in 1967. At Appendix 2, page 399, they indicate, for "Early J Frame Serial Range," a number of 29,500 for 1962, and a number of 786,544 for 1969. You have a number of 302,8xx, VERY close to the 1962 number. I am not the "sharpest blade" in this drawer, but thought I'd get the conversation started. And btw, that is a very handsome S&W.

That is an interesting 3". Is there a J in front of the serial number? The pre J serial range for a 300000 gun would put this 36 at 1962 or 1963 and should be wearing diamond stocks. If it is a J serial range 300000 gun, that would put it about 1975 or 1976. The 36-1 was 1967 and indicates a 3" heavy barrel. The 36-2 was 1988. Do the stocks number to the gun?

Perhaps a J frame expert will chime in and clear up the questions.

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James Redfield
LM #497

JSR III almost hit it on the head. It's after 1966 production otherwise it would have a flat thumbpiece. If the no-diamond stocks number to the gun it's after 1968 production as a J prefix # would indicate. Therefore it must have a J prefix and the grips are correct.

However, it's a heavy barrel and should have a -1 marking. I have a gun like this with a light stamp near the edge of the crane and missing the dash number (not too uncommon). I think it's a 36-1 from '75-'76 production like JSR III said.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

In lieu of the Model # stamping, we can't rule out the possibilty of an exchanged barrel. The usual indicators are not there however, like sloppy pin removal with nicks and scratches around the barrel pin. But professionally done work wouldn't have those telltale signs. Even I've driven out and replaced a barrel pin without leaving marks.

So a Mod 36 with a tapered barrel could have been replaced with a heavy barrel. Either a 2" barrel and the ejector rod or 3" could have been replaced; they are both Model 36 with no dash #. Only a factory letter will tell the tale.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yes, there is a J-prefix on the serial number.

My mistake in omitting that in my post.

The grips are numbered to the gun - and also with a J-prefix on each panel.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

Appears that the frame was stamped with the model number BEFORE the final fitting and bluing. Note grind marks where crane and frame mate. Looks like the factory ground-off the "-1" before they blued it.

I wonder how many in this configuration were produced?

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

If you look at a gun with a dash # you can see that there's not enough space on yours for a dash # to have been there. Another remote possibility is that the gun was initially intended to be a Mod 36 no dash configuration with a 2" or 3" tapered barrel but the factory was out of those completed barrels and installed a heavy barrel to get it out the door.

No way to tell how many heavy barrel 3" guns were made.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

She sure is pretty. Never seen a 3" HB in the 36 before myself. Made my heart skip a beat...

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One gun is never enough...

I would like to file a minority report that it is a Model 36 (no dash). The profile of the front sight is distinctively a tapered barrel. Here is a comparison photo of the two with the tapered barrel in the front. Note the gradual taper on the front sight ramp of the tapered barrel and the short quick taper on the heavy barrel.



Here is a top view with the tapered barrel on the right.



The 3" models 36 and 36-1 were made concurrently for many years and (as mentioned by JSR III and others) the -1 simply designated the heavy barrel.

The 36-1 was actually first introduced in 1966 . . . I purchased one in October 1966 that shipped in September 1966.

Russ

Thanks for chiming in Russ. It's a 36 no dash, and that apparently clinches it. There's no question with the angle of your photos and your front sight observation! The width of the rib is also a dead giveaway. What vintage or serial # is the tapered barrel in your pics?

My tapered barrel is a '69 vintage and seems to have more taper than the original poster's. Just manufacturing or vintage differences I suppose.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The vintage of the 3" tapered barrel in my picture is either 1963 or 1967 . . . can't remember whether I used the square butt or round butt for the comparison photo. The angle of each photo can really make a difference in appearance.

Based on the 3" 36s I've either owned or fondled, I haven't noticed the front sight taper vary much over the years . . . but then I don't keep up on the with the newer ones.

Thanks, Russ

Looks like she's a taper-barrel no-dash after all.

Thanks for the info y'all!

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I had my doubts as to a Mod. 36, 3" that I recently acquired,
Because I'd read that it was hard to distinguish the difference.
Looking at your pics of the front sight clinched it for me, mine
is tapered. S/N 511,6xx, with non-matching diamonds.
Just 'cause I've got a SCSW 3rd, doesn't mean I can read it.
It's got some pretty pictures, tho. TACC1

You are most welcome . . . glad I could help. There's nothing like a side-by-side comparison to see the differences. And, if the side and top profiles aren't conclusive, a muzzle comparison will surely seal the deal.




If you've never shot a 3" heavy barrel 36-1 you really need to enjoy the experience. I've never held and shot anything that points as natural and balances as well. And, if you prefer stainless, the model 60 and 640 also come in a 3" heavy barrel.



Enjoy

Russ