I recently acquired a Chiefs Special Target, S/N 150072, numbered magna diamond grips and with box. I think shipped in 1959. What's interesting is there is no designated model number.

__________________
Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

Nice find and great Looking little target. I can't recall ever seeing a target Chief. If I'm looking at the SCSW correctly, it appears to be manufactured in 1957. Unless I'm missing something.
Congratulations!

Stu

It's entirely possible that this gun was made before they started using model numbers in 1957, and sat around waiting to fill an order around 1959. There's stories like that happening with all sorts of other guns around this forum. Either way, that is a beautiful gun!

I agree. First time I recall seeing a target version as well. But then again, I can go to my safe and find stuff that I swear I have never seen before...(at least that's what I tell my wife...)

Congrats on picking up that beauty!

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

The 1959 run is mixed with non model marked and model marked (36) chief special targets. Three screw frames, bright blue and flat latch; most shipped in a blue sunburst style box.

__________________
SWCA 2902

Nice,,,,,very nice!

Now that's a little beauty, thanks for sharing.

__________________
Keep on Chooglin'

That is absolutely beautiful.

Pretty cool, I wish I had one!

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

Excellent specimen!

__________________
SWCA 2902

That's certainly a beauty. Obviously yours was already in the production process when the change order was issued on June 12, 1957 to stamp the newly assigned model numbers in the yoke.

The front sight is the standard ramp blade like the 22/32 Kit Gun w/o the base of the 22/32 Target of the same era. The Chiefs Special Targets were not introduced with a front sight base until the 1976 production run.
(The Mod 34 Kit Gun did not receive the sight base change until introduced in stainless as the Mod 63 in 1977.)

Yours is numbered near the end of the 198 last of the 1950 Target production runs:

• 312 in 1954-55, Pre Model 37, 3 ½” barrel, reportedly but unconfirmed. These are not in the final count of 2136 Targets.

• First run of 100 in 1955, Pre Model 36, # range 55050-57919, 2” Sq butt, 2nd style flat latch, 4 screw frames, pre war style hammer.

• 14 in 1956, Pre model 36, 2nd style flat latch, these may still be 4 screw models.

• 198 in 1959, Pre Mod & Model 36, # range 149811-150133, 2" Sq Butt, 2nd and 3rd style flat latch.

From my commentary here: CHIEFS SPECIAL TARGETS - Smith & Wesson Forum

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Hello,
Although I am not a collector or dealer I just acquired this S&W .38 that appears to be a CST. I was doing some research and found this thread. The SN# is 577XX. There is no Model number, just production and serial numbers. The R/H grip and cylinder also has the SN stamped inside. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

Attached Thumbnails

 

See Hondo44's post above. It looks like yours is from 1955.

First run of 100 in 1955, Pre Model 36, # range 55050-57919,
2” Sq butt, 2nd style flat latch, 4 screw frames, pre war style hammer

__________________
Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

One must remember that S&W serial numbers and shipping dates are all over the board. In building my .22/32 HFT database I have found that serial numbers and dated engineering changes have no bearing on each other. We must remember that the books give rough estimates of serial numbers and dated changes.

Many times a run of guns could have taken place just prior to a change being ordered and by the time that inventory was used up it appears that guns with the change didn't ship for a year or more.

With the .22/32's, the engineering change to add MADE IN USA was ordered in May of 1922. The first gun in my database to show that stamping was shipped in October of 1923.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

Now that is a pretty little gun. That's some kind of front sight on it, isn't it?!?

I just found a model market 50 at this weekend's gun show and posted it in the '61-'80 section. Wow, 2 CSTs found in one month by forum members! Congrats to you.

__________________
Randy
'No Guff' Here

NICE! Always wanted one!

__________________
NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs