Hand Ejector fixed sights, 5 screw barrel is 1 7/8, reads 38 S & W SPL. on barrel.serial 12551, 5 shot same serial on cyl. the extractor rod is what needs replaced, it screws in counter clock wise, someone used pliers on it to separate it and wiped out all the knurling.

thanks, any idea on where I might find the correct extractor rod
.

Hello OP, how about a pic of the bottom of the grip. Im not getting a clear pic of the rod. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

It's what is usually called a "Baby" Chiefs Special which probably shipped around mid-1952. It is built on the S&W J-frame. This one is fairly early production, and some frame changes were made around SN 46000. Most any older short J-frame extractor rod should fit OK, but it must have the right-hand thread (in the early 1960s, the thread was changed to LH). If the threads are damaged, you may need more than a new extractor rod. There are tricks to removing and installing an extractor rod without damage. You may want to post this in the S&W-smithing section for more informed opinions on your problem.

That's a nice Baby Chiefs Special that likely shipped May or June 1952. It's a 2nd version (w/ramp front sight).

I'll check if I have a rod.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

If it was mine, I would remove the cylinder from the frame and yoke. Then soak it in penetrating oil for a couple days. Then stick at least 3 or better 5 fired cases in the chambers. Then stick the ejector rod in a drill chuck and tighten it up well (not going to hurt this one much more) Leave the key in the chuck for grip and then get a good grip on the cylinder and try to turn it to the left. Dewalt is correct in that models this old had right hand threads. Probably what happened is someone tried to take it off thinking it was left hand thread like the newer post 60s guns. If there is a narrow shallow machined groove after the knurling it is left hand, no band right hand. Hopefully it will come off.

Check out the threads when it comes. Replacing the extractor star sucks. First the pins usually don't line up just right, then you need t check timing. If it does come off galled you should be able to find a tap and clean up the threads in the extractor. Good luck.

I suspect he's had it out already since he knows it's a left handed thread. I don't believe you'll ever find a tap for those threads.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Sounds like there might be more issues than just replacing the rod. Maybe the entire cylinder assembly was replaced with one having LH threads. How could one cross-thread a LH rod into a RH assembly? But I guess anything is possible. I have seen stranger things.

Yes I was checking it about a 3/16 (.186) by 48. You could get one made. How much that would cost is another question.

I have purchased several special taps and dies from an outfit in Brooklyn, and they will make any oddball size you want if they don't have it in stock. If you are willing to pay for it. Not cheap.

The Chief Special - from the time it was introduced in 1950 - has had left-hand threads . . . as both the OP and Hondo44 have indicated.


Not true.

Russ

Yes post war I and all J frames are left hand thread. Another case of not following K and N frame evolution.

The 5 screw count is also different.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I learn something new every day. Does the J frame left hand thread rods have the little machined groove behind the knurling??

No, they do not have the groove to indicate a left hand thread.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks, very good to know. I only have an early 5 screw 38 bodyguard that this would apply to, but, it is almost like new and I don't plan to shoot it. I also have a couple of very early I frames that would be pre WWI, but, you never know what I might come across and decide to disassemble. Will try to store that away in my brain, but, stuff seems to fall out of it more lately.

Hey, I was in very good company with DWalt.

thank you all for the replies, only the knurling on the rod is messed up, now I just have to locate the correct rod as most on midway, brownells etc don't mention left hand thread and they list them as to Model number only, did the Baby Chiefs special have an actual model number ?? .

also most claim for 2 inch barrel, would I have to trim the rod to fit ?? I measured 1 7/8 for barrel length

Model numbers are 1957 and later.

Until fairly recently (I'm an old ****), the 1.875" barrels were referred to as 2" barrels. I think that they were called that all the way up until S&W started making 2.125" barrels for J-frame guns.

K frame 2" barrels were 2".

gonna bump this for some more info, I still haven't been able to locate the correct ejector rod with the left hand threads, anyone have any input ....I have ordered 2 ( 1 from Midway and 1 from Brownells ) both are modern right hand threads.

The term "Baby Chief" is a collector term to designate the early Chief Specials with the smaller grip frame. When model numbers were assigned in roughly 1957, the Baby Chief had long evolved to the full-size grip frame of the Chief Special and was assigned the Model 36 designation.

The barrel length is a nominal 2" but generally run +/- 1 7/8".

And yes, the extractor rod does need to be fit to your gun . . . but the fit distance is to the barrel lug . . . not the muzzle . . . so varience in the barrel length is not significance. For example, for most 3" and all 4", 5" & 6" barrel lengths the extractor rods are all the same length since the front locking barrel lug is in the same distance from the frame.


I'm confused . . . but that's not an unusual thing for me.

I think we all agree that the extractor rod you need is a left-hand thread since all Chief Specials from their introduction in 1950 to one made yesterday have left-hand threads. I would be very surprised that Midway and/or Brownells would have a right-hand thread for a 2" J-frame since (to my knowledge) S&W never made a 2" J with a right-hand thread.

And when I think of "modern" extractor threads, I assume left-hand. In roughly 1961 S&W changed all remaining right-hand threads to left-hand. In fact, most of us spend a lot of hours searching for the older right-hand threaded extractor rods for K and N frame revolvers.

Russ

Something is amiss here.

What we know:

The "Model .38 Chiefs Special", 1950 to 1953 commonly known as a Baby J or Baby Chief was introduced with left hand Extractor threads.

The extractor rod is 1.271" long and has a female left hand thread.

The extractor shaft/star has male left hand threads.

Every J frame produced since has left hand threads.

The only right hand threaded extractor rods for the small frame were used on pre war I frames and some very early post war Transitional I frames. By the very early 1950's, all I frame ext rods were also switched to left hand threads. Even those with pre war style 'barrel knob' ext rods (LERKs).

rentprop1, does your Baby J ext rod match the above configuration and length?

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Jim
S&WCA #819