I really do like S&Ws from the early 50s so it may be strange that this is my first Baby Chief. Actually that's because I don't see them around here. All matching numbers but the flaking on the cylinder doesn't fit in with the rest of the gun, condition wise. It got a good cleaning but I haven't done any polishing on it (yet). I already discussed this one with two-bit cowboy and yes, the stocks are numbered to the gun.

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You know you can't have just one...but a very nice start!

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Nice,
Has first style flat latch but ramp front site, is the blade serrated or smooth?
Also those stock medallions look like either Stainless steel or plastic which appear in the early 50's briefly

Very nice. What is the serial number?

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James Redfield
LM #497

Is that a 1961 service date on the grip frame ?

Serrated ramp, no rework date or marks. SN:205xx. Medallions are not plastic according to my "tap test". Metal to metal sounds different than metal to plastic. Kinda' like checking for a void in a rotor blade, but then I digress.

I've got some SWC I'll put through it, and maybe some Remington police loads (lead HPs) if they are not too stout.

I own 20768 that shipped 10/14/1952 as a reference point. It shipped to the Chief of Police in Bogata, NJ and came with his badge and holster.

Being born in the Garden State, it holds a special place for me. But I'm a little over 2 years older.

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James Redfield
LM #497

That is a handsome Baby. I don't find the cylinder bad at all. I think a bit of polish will make it even better.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing the photos.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

VERY nice Baby Chiefs you have there! As Two-Bit mentioned, I think it will clean up quite well (perhaps a bit of Flitz with a light hand then some Ren Wax).
The medallions are not plastic. If they were you would see plastic in the center of the disc on the rear of the grips (ok, stocks). I just worked on a set with plastic, so it's fresh in my mind.
Your comment about 'checking for a rotor blade void' made me chuckle - last time I did that was in the mid-'70's.... Never found one, but did find some cracked tail rotor blades on OH-6's. Those are days long past. The last Loach I saw was on static display at Ft. Indiantown Gap in PA. I called it a "Loach on a stick".
As for the 'latch', I think you have perhaps the second style flat latch. Very few of the first style seem to surface. There is debate about the "styles", but I'll give a picture or two to explain where I am coming from.
The first style has a very similar appearance, but the right or rear end is a bit 'flatter' than the ones that follow. It takes a bit to realize the difference, but once I had both in-hand it became apparent. Two-Bit Cowboy, Bob, is the flat-latch king so I hope he comments. I think he has forgotten more about the latches than I know.
Anyway, Here is a picture of what I suggest is the first flat-latch. It is on Chiefs Special SN 101.....
DSCF5317.jpg


And here is a picture very close in appearance to yours that is on Chiefs Special SN 6353, a non-serrated front sight example, which I suggest is the second variety.....
IMG_3577.jpg


And yet another, here is one very close to SN 39000, a serrated front sight example.... Note the shape of the rear, and that it has 10 'lands', where the two preceding have 11.
IMG_3689.jpg


Yes, small minute differences, but differences none the less. I hope Bob chimes in to correct me wherever I am wrong.
I will say it again - Nice Piece!

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NRA Endowment Member

Very nice! To me, it looks like the finish on the cylinder was damaged at some point and someone tried to fix it with a cold blue solution.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Yes, exactly.

JH1951's s/n 101 and my s/n 99 are the only two Chiefs I've seen with what we call the first style flat latch. In addition to his description, I'll add that the height is only ¼" tall, whereas all the other flat latches I've documented are ⅜" tall.

S/n 111 is the first I've noted with a flat latch like the one in the OP's post.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

My current Baby is a fairly late example (SN 42XXX) and has the serrated ramp front sight and the third style flat latch shown above. An advantage of this style over the earlier flat latches is the slight increase in thickness toward the front, giving a little more purchase for the thumb to operate on. Even with that, like all the flat latches, the user has to work a little extra to get the latch to work. It offers more in aesthetics than user friendliness!
Froggie

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