A friend of our family had an uncle pass away, and among the items found was a 1955 Smith & Wesson model 36-1. Blue finish and right side of the barrel says "38 S&W, SPECIAL CTG.". It is in the original cardboard box, and inside the box it says April 15, 1955. The serial number is J130xxx. Inside the box there is also a small leather gun pouch, cleaning rod, and an ad catalog for S&W ammunition. The only problem I can see is that on the hammer, the pin that holds the firing pin to the hammer must have fallen out, because there's a paperclip inserted in its place to hold the two together.

Any idea of its worth? Being that this apparently is so old, is it worth more than a more recent model? I don't want her to get low balled at a gun shop.

Thanks!

That 1955 date is the copyright on the printing on the box. The 36-1 dates from 1967 to 1982 with the J serial prefix beginning in 1969.

A wild guess at value would be $250-$350 bearing in mind it apparently needs repairs.

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No life story has happy end.

A 36-1 has a 3" heavy barrel which is a little more desireable to some people. Hers was made about 1980.

If she wants to sell it, post it here on this forum in the classifieds for free. Then she can get the amount the local dealer would sell it for. The problem with the firing pin is a simple one and if she doesn't sell it here, she will be low-balled if she doesn't get it repaired first.

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Jim
S&WCA #819