I was finally able to get the elusive half-round sight version along with a letter. Surprisingly, the letter was dated just a little over a month ago. Serial Number 2614 letters as being shipped on January 15, 1952. There were 24 others in this configuration and they were shipped to E. K. Tryon Co., Philadelphia, PA. They were billed at the wholesale price of $36.67 each. This one makes number 5 of the little Chiefs, I really like these and you can assemble a nice collection if you can find all 12-13 variations of them.Pics of the new one below along with a Blue smooth ramp and a Nickel serrated.

CZU

I don't know you, but I don't think I like you.

Seriously, I am not a J frame collector at all. But for a long time I have wanted a Baby Chiefs Special in precisely the configuration of your latest addition (half moon sight and the first style flat latch). Can't seem to find one in decent shape (meaning 95%). Others seem to find them, but not me!

Of course, Alaska is not a particularly good place to find small handguns . . . .44s are everywhere!

Heck, I'd even settle for one that has the earliest type of thumb piece. But I do like the looks of that early style flat latch.

Enjoy that one AND THE OTHER FOUR YOU HAVE, you lucky dog.

Cheers.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I bought and traded a few babies until I found my half moon version at a Tulsa guns show a while back. 3 digit SN. I just love the way they look. Congratulations on your find.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Congratulations on your latest. Glad to see it was a forum member who outbid me...

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

Ah, ha! So, it was you! (I was simply a silent observer -- as Charlie said, I'm glad it went to a forum friend, too).

Congratulations.

I'm betting that won't be your last Baby.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I have all 3 modifications of the baby I frame. 1) 4 digit SN moon front sight, 2) 5 digit SN smooth ramp front sight, then 3) the serrated ramp front sight. All 5 screw pre-model 36 with the early flat latch. Sold another 4 digit SN moon sight as someone decided to nickel plate an originally blued one. Has taken me a while to get this far into them.

That one belonged to me! There is a thread here from when i aquired it. It's a very nice gun and congrats on your aquisition!

I assume you are talking about the Chiefs Special. Just FYI, those were never built on the I frame. All Chiefs Special revolvers were J frame. It was in fact, the first J frame. The cylinder window on the I frame was not long enough to accommodate a cylinder that could hold the longer .38 Special cartridge.

Baby Chiefs Special revolvers were J frame guns with the shorter grip frame of the I frame and, of course, the smaller trigger guard.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I stand corrected....

Just trying to improve your overall knowledge of the guns you own. That is what we do for each other here on this forum. We share knowledge and all become better informed as a result.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I figured that it belonged to a member, not many people are willing to send off for a $100 letter.

The condition from what the pics depicted in the auction had me a little worried, especially how the grips looked. I wish sellers would spend more time taking the pics either in a light box or outside in indirect sunlight.

Yeah my guys pics arent the best. Lol and he could have included "baby chief" somewhere in the verbage. But they are good reliable people. Congrats again.

Today I "found" my Baby Chief's Special... I had hidden it from myself apparently. I got ready to go to the range Sunday, and was going to give it some exercise, but it wasn't in the safe where it was "supposed" to be. With all the talk I see here about "sock drawer guns," guess where I had stashed it!

Oh well, they say the second thing to go is your memory... now if I can just stumble across my missing pre-War Regulation Police I can get started on that project!

"Organized people never make the exciting discoveries I do!"

Froggie

Great find

Does it have a smooth or serrated trigger?

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

two-bit cowboy, the trigger is grooved and the hammer looks finely checkered.

Thank you.

I'm trying to get an idea of when the triggers were no longer smooth. I know It's early in the series, but not many of the 2 and 3-digit serial numbers have surfaced.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Congrats on another fantastic find!!!

I am fortunate to own "Baby Chief" wearing serial number 2646 which shipped February 1952 according to the ship date from Mr. Jinks.

I have been reluctantly pondering putting this one up on an auction but it's a tough one to replace especially in this near perfect condition.

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

Seeing those photos and pondering you selling that one made my heart rate double!

My nearest one is 2928, also February '52, and not as clean as yours, but it's the first known Baby with a smooth ramp front sight. I think it might be the last of my Chiefs I'd consider selling (and I have two with two-digit serial numbers).

Attached Images

	'52 Baby smooth ramp R.jpg (110.4 KB, 21 views)
	Baby 2928, February '52, 2nd flat latch, smooth ramp front sight.jpg (119.9 KB, 20 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I'm a bit late to the party, but congratulations, CZU that is a nice find!
I have a liking for the Baby Chiefs Special as well. Thus far I have accumulated three, one of each general Baby configuration, round sight, non-serrated (thanks, Bob!), and serrated.
on the discussion of triggers, I too am wondering when the change to a serrated one took place. For those collecting data, I have SN 101, and the trigger is the early non serrated style. (It also has the first style flat latch, and service stocks numbered to the gun.) I'll attach a picture.
This is a good exchange of information for those of us interested in these little things.

IMG_3185.jpg

Wow, John, you cleaned up 101 nicely. Looks great.

I can't recall, did you add the period correct box, or is it numbered to the Chiefs?

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob