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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 01-09-2015, 04:58 PM
GrantA GrantA is offline
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Default what did I buy? new-to-me snubnose
Howdy guys, I just picked up a new toy and am curious what exactly it is. Thanks!
It's a hand ejector, no model# on the yoke
Serial # has no letter prefix, 5-digits 355XX
1-7/8" barrel stamped 38 S&W SPL
Fixed Sights




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Old 01-09-2015, 05:44 PM
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You have what collectors call a Baby Chief.Its a early Chiefs special which then became the Model 36.Looks like a pretty decent little Gun,Enjoy!
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Old 01-09-2015, 05:56 PM
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It's a "Baby" Chief's Special, from ca. mid-1953.
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Old 01-09-2015, 05:59 PM
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Thanks guys, I'd say I did OK @ $300+ tax, can't wait to shoot it!
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Old 01-09-2015, 06:01 PM
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$300 is a reasonably good buy for a Baby Chief in average condition. They are fairly desirable, being early in the production run.
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Old 01-09-2015, 06:04 PM
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Nice find & welcome to the club.
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Old 01-09-2015, 07:34 PM
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Hard not to like those.

Read about their introduction and evolution here:
Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" - Smith & Wesson Forum
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Old 01-10-2015, 12:12 AM
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According to that chronology mine should be a full size j frame chief special not a baby, agreed?
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Old 01-10-2015, 12:59 AM
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No, you have the smaller rounder trigger guard, serial number below 45000, and shorter grips. You have a Baby Chief.
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Old 01-10-2015, 01:05 AM
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Oops I read the serial number range wrong. It feels great in my hand that's for sure, now to find a holster, ankle & pocket to have on hand, for times when I'm not comfortable with my shield iwb.
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Old 01-10-2015, 01:07 AM
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I would buy those all Day long for $300.
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Old 01-10-2015, 03:46 AM
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Oops I read the serial number range wrong.
Never question these folks when a question is asked and answered, some of the most knowledgeable people on S&Ws here on this site.

I carry model 37 and wouldn't trade for any modern day polymer CCW out there.
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Old 01-10-2015, 07:09 AM
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Never question these folks when a question is asked and answered, some of the most knowledgeable people on S&Ws here on this site.
.
It won't happen again :-)
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Old 01-10-2015, 11:40 AM
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Amen to that!
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Old 01-10-2015, 03:29 PM
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I carry model 37 and wouldn't trade for any modern day polymer CCW out there.
^^^^^^ This.
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Old 01-10-2015, 04:33 PM
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Five screw J frame, small trigger guard , short grip frame, 1st style "flat latch" cylinder release , early hammer spur, serrated ramp FS ... (guessing) it has plastic grip medallions instead of nickeled brass ?

While 1953 is an Early Baby Chief three design changes had already occurred since introduction in 1950.
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Old 01-10-2015, 05:25 PM
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$300 for a baby chief like that -- I should be so lucky! Enjoy
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Old 01-10-2015, 11:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Engine49guy View Post
Five screw J frame, small trigger guard , short grip frame, 1st style "flat latch" cylinder release , early hammer spur, serrated ramp FS ... (guessing) it has plastic grip medallions instead of nickeled brass ?

While 1953 is an Early Baby Chief three design changes had already occurred since introduction in 1950.
Is there a way to ID the medallions without removing them? I didn't know there were 2 types, the bottoms of the medallions do seem to have a brass color to them (hard to get that t show up in a picture), it could just be dirty though as I have not tried to clean them. They seemed to be cold to the touch too which makes me think they're not plastic. I just pulled the grips off and the right side is stamped with the serial number, not the left though- is this typical? Here are some pictures
Oh and I couldn't help but wonder, would I be crazy to consider rust bluing it?

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Old 01-10-2015, 11:31 PM
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With the grips off the revolver put a small magnet to it, plastic won't attach. Serial number would be on inside of right grip, not left.
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Old 01-11-2015, 02:00 AM
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The medallions can be nickel plated brass, plastic or steel. From photo I can see they aren't plastic. The magnet will verify if steel.
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Old 01-11-2015, 09:16 AM
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Oh and I couldn't help but wonder, would I be crazy to consider rust bluing it?
Not if you just want it to look good and don't care about hurting it's value.
Most guys here would rather have it original even if not perfect.
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Old 01-11-2015, 09:30 AM
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My mess up a fine weapon. Clean it and go. Snubbyfan makes a nice J frame holster. Good price quick shipping.
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Old 01-11-2015, 09:42 AM
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Very nice find. IMHO I wouldn't reblue Just carry as is and change the oil regularly like the car only sooner
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Old 01-11-2015, 10:03 AM
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The medallions can be nickel plated brass, plastic or steel. From photo I can see they aren't plastic. The magnet will verify if steel.

I agree with Jim, the closeup shows they are likely steel medallions and that makes sense for a 1953 gun.

Apparently Korean war shortages of brass had S&W first try plastic medallions and then steel before switching back to nickeled brass around 1954.
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Old 01-11-2015, 11:47 AM
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Nice find, as others have said, clean it up and shoot it! Don't worry about the character marks, enjoy it.

If any of us look in the mirror we have plenty of character marks and I'm not interested in going back to the factory for a refinish job!
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Old 01-11-2015, 11:49 AM
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Thanks guys I will check to see if it's a steel medallion and don't worry I'm not refinishing anything anytime soon, I had just seen a thread about rust blue and it looked interesting
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