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

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

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.

Flat latch? $250?

Damn! Wish I were in your shoes.

Go get a lottery ticket too!

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

Oh yeaauh ! If you had to fork out that extra $12.00 ,(5 %) that woulda killed the deal for sure.

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wanna do right-- not right now

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 ?

Photo please or it never really happened...lol

Here's a pic of the one I just picked up, serial #3488xx. Can I get a date on this one?

"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!!!!

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!!!

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

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.

September 1964

Most likely Nov/Dec 1954

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?

Kind of neat. My J frame and my S frame made in the same year.

Concerning serial number 3488xx, September, 1964, is a pretty good guess. 353801 letters to that month and year.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

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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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

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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Jim
S&WCA #819

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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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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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

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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Jim
S&WCA #819

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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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

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.

For just a minute I thought I knew something. Always learning though.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

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.

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.

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

'55 square butt