Hello, I'm hoping that someone can help me narrow the year of manufacture down on a snubby that I recently traded for.

I believe it to be a pre-model 38, the original bodyguard.... It's an aluminum frame 38 special, 5 shot, 3 screw, with a shrouded hammer and a flat latch. The 1 7/8" barrel is pinned and tapered, and has a serrated ramp front sight. The serial number on the butt is 88367. The number on the back of the cylinder matches the S/N and it has 5432 2 on the side of the frame under the crane.

The more you can tell me about this pistol, the better. Are these grips original? I can't make out the numbers on the inside of the grip. Is this also considered a "chief's special"?

Someone had hosed it down with dark gray Krylon at some point But I stripped it all down, re-blued the steel parts and lightly polished the frame. Thank goodness they at least had sense to take the grips off before they painted it.

I called S&W with the serial number on the butt, which couldn't be any easier to read, they tell me the serial number says it was made between 1906-1909. The only issue with that is S&W didn't start making this particular type of pistol, aluminum frame 38 special, until 1950-51....As far as I know anyway. I asked the S&W rep about that and all he could tell me was that his paperwork shows 1906-1909. Maybe he was just "that guy" at S&W lol.


Thanks in advance!
Lee

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Had one since 1970. Wonderful hip pocket carry gun. Just no hot ammo, they crack.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

88367 is in the 1956 SN manufacturing range for a pre-Model 38. It's not a Chiefs Special. It is a Bodyguard airweight.

Another accurate answer from the highly knowledgeable folks on the phone at S&W.

Reaffirms what I've said before. Calling S&W for information on the history/origins of any older revolver is worse than a waste of time. God only knows how much incorrect information they have put out over the phone in the last year or so. Many of them simply have no idea what they are talking about.

Sad.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318