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11-01-2009, 10:34 AM
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Lowest Chief Special serial number
The Chief Special is one of my favorite S&W's. Wondering who here on the forum has the lowest serial number of this old workhorse. Mine is 12433. Still looking for a 2 digit.
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James Redfield
LM #497
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11-01-2009, 11:30 AM
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I was once the owner of .38 Chiefs Special serial # 13--long gone though.
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11-01-2009, 05:11 PM
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At 2018 mine is not the lowest that has been exhibited here on the Forum. It lettered to J. S. Oshman and Son Houston, Texas and was shipped in March of 1952.
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11-01-2009, 06:25 PM
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#383. Shipped Nov. '51 to Charles Greenblat Co. New York City.
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11-01-2009, 09:13 PM
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I thought my Baby Chief had a pretty low S/N at 6855, but I've already been whooped good here.
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Mitch
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11-01-2009, 10:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kleinkaliber
#383. Shipped Nov. '51 to Charles Greenblat Co. New York City.
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This is interesting. I have Number 651 shipped November 9, 1951 to Charles Greenblat Company, New York, New York! Did Number 383 ship AFTER that?
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11-01-2009, 10:58 PM
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Cool post - if anybody has #317, I'd like to buy it 
Send me a PM
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11-01-2009, 11:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmcgilvray
At 2018 mine is not the lowest that has been exhibited here on the Forum. It lettered to J. S. Oshman and Son Houston, Texas and was shipped in March of 1952.
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That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
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Don Mundell
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11-01-2009, 11:13 PM
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lowest chief special serial number.
hi
I don't have the lowest serial number but I would like to know if any one has a early nickel chief. I have 1406 in nickel all orginal, with numbered grips. in 95% condition. just got a ship date Feb 1952 jim fisher S&WCA 1491
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...NUMBER1406.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...AL1406REV4.jpg
Last edited by bmg60; 11-02-2009 at 11:02 AM.
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11-02-2009, 10:00 AM
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Very neat, it didn't take long to get a 4 digit and a 3 digit example. I am discounting Tired Gunsmith's 2 digit as it is no longer in his possession. 
By the way, do we know when or around what serial number the "baby chief's" grew up??? 
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James Redfield
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11-02-2009, 11:09 AM
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Lowest Chief Special serial
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11-02-2009, 01:00 PM
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#2321
Here's #2321 and it's Berns Martin Lightning holster. Shipped 3/12/1952 to Elliott's in K.C., MO.
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KSCowboy
Last edited by KSCowboy; 11-02-2009 at 01:04 PM.
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11-02-2009, 06:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan
That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
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It shipped on the 5th of March, 1952.
It isn't a really attractive example of the breed but it's an honest injun ol' workin' gun.
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11-02-2009, 11:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JudgeColt
This is interesting. I have Number 651 shipped November 9, 1951 to Charles Greenblat Company, New York, New York! Did Number 383 ship AFTER that?
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I just looked up my letter. #383 also shipped Nov. 9th!
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11-03-2009, 01:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kleinkaliber
I just looked up my letter. #383 also shipped Nov. 9th!
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Wow! One of us should buy or sell! The 300+ gun difference in serial numbers proves once again that Smith did not ship guns in sequence.
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11-03-2009, 10:19 AM
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That is very interesting, just proves what Roy has stated all along. Still looking for some 2 digit guns.
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James Redfield
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11-03-2009, 01:41 PM
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Can't help with Chiefs, but I've got Centennial (different serial sequence) #157. Roy's letter says its "open on company books". No one knows what that means. We've speculated it might be a lunchbox gun, or one snagged by an executive. Remember, back in the day guns weren't regulated like they were after 1968. All I know is it came from the coal fields of eastern KY. Those good ole boys weren't real concerned with paperwork and paper trails.
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Dick Burg
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11-03-2009, 03:19 PM
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This is very interesting. Maybe one of us should start a photo thread of strictly low serial number guns. This might turn up some interesting guns.
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11-03-2009, 05:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan
That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
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Sorry Club Gun Fan, I've got you beat. My birthday is 3/14/52 so if bmcgilvray sells it based on your criteria, I am closer to the ship date and I should get it!
Only joking!
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11-13-2009, 01:02 AM
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I've got serial number 879 with the half moon front sight,and mint original wood grips. Also, have a mint period s&w period mother of pearl grips that came with the gun. Not sure of actual mfg. date 1950/1951?
Ed
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11-14-2009, 03:33 PM
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EPM, lets see some pics. I'd like to see those pearl grips on the gun or off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EPM
I've got serial number 879 with the half moon front sight,and mint original wood grips. Also, have a mint period s&w period mother of pearl grips that came with the gun. Not sure of actual mfg. date 1950/1951?
Ed
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11-20-2009, 11:22 PM
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I have one still in original 1969 box with all packageing
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11-21-2009, 12:46 PM
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Low # Chief
FYI, Sohn's auction 11/28, item #179, is Chief Special s/n 499. Unfortunately, hammer has been bobbed.
Bob Hart #946
Sohn & Associates, Ltd.
4600 O'Hara Dr
Evansville, IN 47711
http://www.sohnandassociates.com
Last edited by red9; 11-21-2009 at 12:48 PM.
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11-22-2009, 11:09 AM
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Still looking for some 2 digit Chief's. Somebody out there must have one of the first 99 guns built?????
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James Redfield
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11-23-2009, 09:32 PM
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#2332
Still shoots great!
Regards,
Steve
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11-23-2009, 09:43 PM
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My 3" 36 Chief's Special isn't in the running... J641XXX Still a nice pinned gun.
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11-25-2009, 12:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR III
Still looking for some 2 digit Chief's. Somebody out there must have one of the first 99 guns built????? |
There is a forum member here who has #99. Maybe he will come forward with a picture.
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12-01-2009, 07:24 PM
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Still looking to see if anyone has a 2 digit serial number Chief Special????
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James Redfield
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12-01-2009, 07:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shortrange
There is a forum member here who has #99. Maybe he will come forward with a picture.
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I know who it is 
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12-02-2009, 04:17 PM
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I once owned #2018. If bmcgilvray will contact me I can provide a bit of background on this gun. private message sent.
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06-10-2010, 04:28 PM
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Still looking for a Chief Special in the 2 digit serial number range. Any new entries?
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James Redfield
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06-15-2010, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR III
By the way, do we know when or around what serial number the "baby chief's" grew up??? |
Somewhere in the late 40,000's, I THINK
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Lee Jarrett
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06-15-2010, 05:43 PM
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Does a factory memo on shipping Chiefs Special #28 count?
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Lee Jarrett
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06-15-2010, 09:13 PM
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#99 is owned by Sasaberanger...Thom Braxton in Wheatland, WY.
No pics yet. Gun is home and I am in Cocoa Beach, Fl.
#95 went at Supica Auction in 11/2000 or 2001.
#91 went through David Carroll to a national auction in 12/2007 and was from the same collection that #99 came from. I obtained it from David Carroll directly.
Thom Braxton
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08-20-2010, 09:55 AM
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Haven't been any posts for a while so I thought I would bump it up again. Still looking
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James Redfield
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10-14-2011, 05:01 PM
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Been over a year so I thought I'd bring this back to the surface.
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James Redfield
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10-14-2011, 05:17 PM
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10-14-2011, 06:43 PM
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Number 1 is in the S&W museum!
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Doc Garrett
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10-14-2011, 07:20 PM
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WOW number 90...That is AWESOME !
Center .38 Chiefs Special #1025 Shipped Dec 52
Last edited by Engine49guy; 06-05-2012 at 08:29 PM.
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10-14-2011, 07:33 PM
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No.4
I have a lead on serial number 4. It is open on the books. I spoke to the gentleman who aquired it from the guy that from the second owner. I sent the story to Mike Speers but somehow it didn't get posted.
I am seeing the guy who sold it and I'll try to buy it.
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Don Mundell
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10-14-2011, 09:02 PM
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2 and 3 were shipped out of the country so #4 could be the lowest number still in the USA. I forget which number was produced first, I will have to check.
PS: It was #6 produced in 10/1950.
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James Redfield
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Last edited by JSR III; 10-14-2011 at 09:04 PM.
Reason: added PS
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10-14-2011, 09:11 PM
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James,
I've had #'s 32 - 57 - 91, 99 - 181 and a few other low ones, but can't recall all of them right now.
DC
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03-07-2012, 03:16 PM
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I have # 160, shipped on Oct 12, 1951 to A.F Stoeger Arms Co, New York City, NY.
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06-05-2012, 07:03 PM
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Chief's Special dating
Hello folks,
New to forum and proud owner of an inherited S&W Chief's Special which I believe to be a pre-Model 36. It is a flat latch, with 4 screws and a 5 digit serial number: 649xx. Unfortunately the original diamond grips have been replaced with the non-diamond grips common to later models.
Believe it to be circa 1955 or so. Could anyone please confirm. It's in very good condition and I'm interested in it's current value.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
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06-05-2012, 07:20 PM
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I posted this early in the thread
If anybody has #317, I'd like to buy it
Send me a PM
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06-05-2012, 07:21 PM
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Mine is 38206.
Belonged to the chief of police, Long Branch, N.J.
Got it from his widow.
Last edited by STCM(SW); 06-05-2012 at 07:23 PM.
Reason: ADD
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06-05-2012, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mushroom1
Hello folks,
New to forum and proud owner of an inherited S&W Chief's Special which I believe to be a pre-Model 36. It is a flat latch, with 4 screws and a 5 digit serial number: 649xx. Unfortunately the original diamond grips have been replaced with the non-diamond grips common to later models.
Believe it to be circa 1955 or so. Could anyone please confirm. It's in very good condition and I'm interested in it's current value.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
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Welcome to the Forum. The ship date information for J frames of this era is spotty, but your gun falls into...ta-da!...the 1955 year range. Value is based on condition, so photos would be best to judge this. Hope this is helpful.
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Alan
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06-05-2012, 11:49 PM
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Thanks Alan
Alan,
Appreciate it. Will try posting pics when I can.
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06-06-2012, 12:12 AM
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Not that long ago I bought some old, smooth, J Frame, round butt rosewood
grips that are both stamped 103 on the inside of each panel. The first thought
that crossed my mind when I noticed the numbers was, where is gun no. 103?
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Ogy
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06-06-2012, 10:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSCowboy
Here's #2321 and it's Berns Martin Lightning holster. Shipped 3/12/1952 to Elliott's in K.C., MO.
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Wow, this one shipped two days before my birthday and my birthyear.
Great gun.
Thanks to all that posted their early Chiefs. I never get tire of the
threads on these great old snubbys.
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