Another Baby Chief

CZU · #1 10-13-2018, 06:41 AM

After the 1917 debacle I did leave Cabelas with this one. This is the third one that I have seen at this particular location, 2 of them coming home with me. The one that didn't was Nickeled but wasn't marked as such. Probably should have brought it home as well because I later found out that some did leave S&W without the "N" designation. Anyway, there is nothing spectacular about this one, it's an example of most that you see. It's used but not abused, has a lot of blue wear but no rust or pits. It's all matching, serial number is 20151 so I'm guessing 1952. I don't seek these out, keep thinking that sooner or later I'll run into a really nice one. These pics are some quick snaps, got them between downpours. I'll try to get some better ones this weekend.

Jtown · #2 10-13-2018, 07:03 AM

Very nice, I haven't come across a baby chief yet. When I do I am sure it will go home with me.
Walt

Green Frog · #3 10-13-2018, 09:20 AM

That's a near duplicate of my current Baby Chief with regards to serial range, features, and wear. Although yours and mine are both late enough to lack the prestigious half moon front sight, I find that with my aging eyes, the ribbed ramp sight is a lot easier to see!

I had to sell my first one to later realize how much I really liked it, then searched long and hard for the one I have now. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much fun they can be to shoot and how easily they conceal for EDC, so I'll just say congratulations and enjoy!

Froggie

EarlB · #4 10-13-2018, 10:56 AM

Nice! Must be the Fort Worth store? S&W's have dried up big time at the Allen one, that or I get beat to them now

Earl

tlawler · #5 10-13-2018, 11:42 AM

I just happened to “run into” this one when I was at a LGS using their range a couple of months ago. Good thing I always do a walk thru when I happen to be in a LGS. It’s from 1955.

two-bit cowboy · #6 10-13-2018, 01:28 PM

Congrats on your Baby.

Based on ones I see on my list on both sides of your serial number I'd say yours likely shipped in fall (Oct or Nov) '52.

By my estimation '52 was a big year for the Babies. Shipped serial numbers started in January around 13XX and ended in December around 226XX. Of course there might be anomalies on either side of those numbers that left the factory in '51 or '53.

CZU · #7 10-15-2018, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtown

Very nice, I haven't come across a baby chief yet. When I do I am sure it will go home with me.
Walt

I am always looking for them, these are what I would call sleepers. This one I just picked up was listed as a "pre chief".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

That's a near duplicate of my current Baby Chief with regards to serial range, features, and wear. Although yours and mine are both late enough to lack the prestigious half moon front sight, I find that with my aging eyes, the ribbed ramp sight is a lot easier to see!

I had to sell my first one to later realize how much I really liked it, then searched long and hard for the one I have now. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much fun they can be to shoot and how easily they conceal for EDC, so I'll just say congratulations and enjoy!

Froggie

I would hate to have to sell any of mine since they are so hard to find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlB

Nice! Must be the Fort Worth store? S&W's have dried up big time at the Allen one, that or I get beat to them now

Earl

Actually it was at the Allen store. I also picked up another blue one from this store a couple years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

I just happened to “run into” this one when I was at a LGS using their range a couple of months ago. Good thing I always do a walk thru when I happen to be in a LGS. It’s from 1955.

I admired that one when you first posted it. I don't remember, was it determined to be factory engraving? Regardless, I would be proud to own it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

Congrats on your Baby.

Based on ones I see on my list on both sides of your serial number I'd say yours likely shipped in fall (Oct or Nov) '52.

By my estimation '52 was a big year for the Babies. Shipped serial numbers started in January around 13XX and ended in December around 226XX. Of course there might be anomalies on either side of those numbers that left the factory in '51 or '53.

Thanks and thanks for verifying the year. I figured it was a '52, just like you I think that was a big year for the babies.

RKmesa · #8 10-15-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

I just happened to “run into” this one ...It’s from 1955.

Another Baby Chief-676b684c-a027-4f25-8e55-7c9c30d910de-jpg

What a fun gun!

THREEDFLYER · #9 10-15-2018, 11:50 PM

Nice find!!!!

Here is my early 4-digit serial number "Baby Chief"
It wears number 2646 and the stocks number to the gun
Does not show much wear

Also had serial number 1745 a couple years back.....sold it to a forum member, but should have kept it.

Roy Jinks told me that 2646 shipped February of 1952

two-bit cowboy · #10 10-16-2018, 11:23 AM

Here's what some believe is the lowest known smooth ramp front sight (2928, shipped Feb. '52) -- acquired since the SCSW 4th Ed was published.

And here's my earliest serrated ramp front sight (21249, shipped Oct. '52), although my list shows one in the 15XXX serial range.