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11-26-2016, 10:09 PM
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chief special
I picked up a 2 inch Chief Spec today in a pawn shop. Very clean gun in about 95% condition. It is a four screw , flat latch , with a serial number of 4989x. Could someone help me with a date of manufacture ? Has diamond grips. Thanks in advance. Tom
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11-26-2016, 10:12 PM
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The 4-screw Chiefs Specials were only made for 2-3 years, and yours is likely from 1954. Hope this is helpful.
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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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11-26-2016, 10:43 PM
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Thanks. I thought it was from the fifties. It's a pretty little thing. I don't think it has had a box of shells through it. I bought it really cheap I think. $250 tax included.
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11-26-2016, 10:50 PM
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Flat latch? $250?
Damn! Wish I were in your shoes.
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11-26-2016, 11:24 PM
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Go get a lottery ticket too!
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11-26-2016, 11:32 PM
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I thought it was worth more than that. It has just barely worn the bluing on the recoil shield. The gun's not perfect, but very nice. I had to argue with them about the tax. Glad I won. Thanks for the info. Tom
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11-26-2016, 11:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtu164
I had to argue with them about the tax. Glad I won. Thanks for the info. Tom
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Oh yeaauh ! If you had to fork out that extra $12.00 ,(5 %) that woulda killed the deal for sure.
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11-27-2016, 09:00 AM
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Tax here is 11%. Not that it would make that much difference. About $26.00. What's a ball park figure for a gun like this ?
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11-27-2016, 09:29 AM
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Photo please or it never really happened...lol
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11-27-2016, 10:00 AM
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Here's a pic of the one I just picked up, serial #3488xx. Can I get a date on this one?
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11-27-2016, 10:27 AM
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"FitzRoper", that is one beautiful Chief Special. I'm sure that someone will come along soon with the DOB.....congratulations on a very nice score!!!!
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11-27-2016, 10:50 AM
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That was a great deal! Enjoy it, shoot it. I got one last weekend for 325 and was HAPPY. Now you show up with a MUCH better gun for way less. Now I am sa..nope STILL happy. For both of us!!!
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11-27-2016, 11:56 AM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, FitzRoper! Someone with a database will have to narrow this down for you. An interpolation of the manufacture dates in the SCSW puts your gun around 1963-4. It should be stamped MOD 36 inside the yoke.
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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
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11-27-2016, 12:28 PM
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I have found over the years that pawn shops are a great place to buy old guns. You just have to stay with it until you stumble across a good deal. Three or four years ago I found a S&W .357 Magnum, 3 1/2 inch barrel gun with matching grips in 98.5% condition, made in 1954. Paid $650 for it tax incl. It was laying in the counter, and that was the price on it. I knew that was a good deal.
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11-27-2016, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FitzRoper
Here's a pic of the one I just picked up, serial #3488xx. Can I get a date on this one?
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September 1964
Last edited by KEN L; 11-27-2016 at 12:34 PM.
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11-27-2016, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtu164
I picked up a 2 inch Chief Spec today in a pawn shop. Very clean gun in about 95% condition. It is a four screw , flat latch , with a serial number of 4989x. Could someone help me with a date of manufacture ? Has diamond grips. Thanks in advance. Tom
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Most likely Nov/Dec 1954
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11-27-2016, 06:29 PM
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Thanks everyone. It is in very nice condition, shows almost no wear. Here is a pic of the other side. I am debating on whether I should shoot it or not?
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11-27-2016, 10:37 PM
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Kind of neat. My J frame and my S frame made in the same year.
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11-27-2016, 11:18 PM
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Concerning serial number 3488xx, September, 1964, is a pretty good guess. 353801 letters to that month and year.
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Last edited by JP@AK; 11-27-2016 at 11:19 PM.
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11-27-2016, 11:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtu164
Kind of neat. My J frame and my S frame made in the same year.
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I assume you mean your J frame and your N frame (with an S prefix serial number). There is no such thing as an "S Frame."
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11-27-2016, 11:36 PM
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Tom,
Great buy!
Does it have the large trigger guard like FitzRoper's below?
If so, it's a Model of 1953 Chiefs Special and the lowest numbered one I have in my database.
What was the argument about the tax, did they calculate it wrong?
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11-28-2016, 05:03 PM
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These are photos of the Chief Special that I just purchased. The other is the .357 that I mentioned in the post.
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11-28-2016, 06:12 PM
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The SN on mine is 600+ lower and is a five screw. You may have one on the front of the trigger guard and of course one under the grip.
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11-28-2016, 06:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M1A
The SN on mine is 600+ lower and is a five screw. You may have one on the front of the trigger guard and of course one under the grip.
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myu164's Chiefs is a 4 screw, full size J frame Model of 1953.. Notice the trigger guard is larger than your 5 screw Baby Chiefs. The grip frame is also 1/8" longer than yours.
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11-28-2016, 07:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FitzRoper
Thanks everyone. It is in very nice condition, shows almost no wear. Here is a pic of the other side. I am debating on whether I should shoot it or not?
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Hell yes you need to shoot it ! Might not want to carry it if you are a collector but they are made to be shot .
Eddie
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11-28-2016, 08:31 PM
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Geeze you practically stole that gun. Around here pawn shops would be asking way over $700 for it.
I would say someone familiar with your gun and its value they would probably easily pay $500.
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11-28-2016, 08:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
myu164's Chiefs is a 4 screw, full size J frame Model of 1953.. Notice the trigger guard is larger than your 5 screw Baby Chiefs. The grip frame is also 1/8" longer than yours.
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For just a minute I thought I knew something. Always learning though.
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11-28-2016, 09:20 PM
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A wealth of knowledge here. I shot the j frame today with wadcutters just to see it go off. Very nice little gun. Shot fine. I think I might keep it. (for sure)
I get to pick up my next pawn shop find Friday. A Rem Mod 25 pump in 25-20. I already have brass and dies, and just got a mold. It will be fun. Didn't get to steal it, but a fair price.
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12-02-2016, 06:14 AM
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SHOOT IT! That's what it is meant for. Shooting a gun that has been shot previously will not substantially diminish value unless it is abused or damaged. I routinely shoot many guns that are quite old and I find that as long as the cleaning process is correctly done, little wear is added.
I would on the other hand use standard velocity ammo and not unnecessarily beat on it.
I do NOT own any Safe Queens but most of my guns look to be in 98% - 99% condition. My favorite Pheasant, Trap and Sporting Clay Gun is a Browning Grade ll Superposed 12 gauge (from the late 1950's) that has seen well over 10,000 rounds through it. I tromp through the woods and fields with it every year and lost count of how many Pheasants, Grouse and Clay Pigeons it has brought down. I would STILL say it is in 98%-99% condition and it would sell for many many times what the original cost was. The Original Luggage Case is in perfect condition as well even though it sees heavy usage.
Last edited by chief38; 12-02-2016 at 06:24 AM.
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05-26-2017, 11:16 AM
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I Picked Up A Chief Special S#32XXX .I Tried It And Noticed If I shoot It Single Action . It Has ,What I Call A Hair Trigger. And is This Normal. And Are There Any Post About Doing Work On The trigger
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05-26-2017, 11:36 AM
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'55 square butt
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