Great site with a ton of info. I'm overwhelmed actually. I have two questions about my Grandfather's pre-model 36 Chief Special. First; What type of grips should it take? It currently has a set of aftermarket grips and I found a set of old S&W grips in my stuff and, while they're plenty old, they're too long at the bottom of the butt. They're wood and have S&W logos and fit front and back but just extend too far over the bottom. Second, and this will probably help answer the first question; The s/n is 326XX so I'm thinking it was made in about 1953. Is that date correct? I want to use it as a backup CCW gun (it's been in a safe forever and needs to see the light of day once in a while) so I want the slim, original grips. Thanks for any help you can give me and for a great and helpful site.

Original grips for a pre-36 are fairly hard to come buy unless they are all beat up. What condition is the guns finish in? If it's pretty beat up you won't have as much trouble getting grips for it. If you wouldn't mind rubber grips on it, you could pick up some Hogue J frame grips for it. The grips you need are I frame grips but the gun is not an I frame it's just a real early J Frame where the grip strap was about 1/8" shorter. As for date, I'm not sure off the top of my head but you should be about right.

Bill

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US Marine, 16 years+

I have Chief's Special serial# 33618 which shipped in June, 1953, so you're in the ballpark with your 1953 guesstimation of the date.
Mine is pretty beat up, but it shows the grips which should have been original to your gun. The contour of the grips match the contour of the frame, and they will have a large diamond around the screw hole:

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John

+1
Early J frame round butt Magnas are the same size as I frame stocks. Try a WTB in the classifieds here.

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"I also cook."

Great stuff! Thanks for the info. As for the finish, like I said, it was my Grandfather's daily carry way back when. It was REALLY rough and my father sent it back to Smith for a complete refinish about 10 years ago. It's pristine now so I'd like to find some nice grips so I may have to go aftermarket again. The flat-latch is really neat and I'm looking forward to putting it back into "service." Does anyone else carry theirs?

Every day!

This pre 36 #716xx dates to 1955 and came with these grips.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

Congratulations, you own one of the very best compact revolvers ever designed, hands down! This "Baby Chief" # 248XX rides with me daily, as my backup, usually in a pocket rig, for which it is positively ideal. I have not found any other revolver in it's size and caliber, to be it's equal.

The S&W Terrier and Colt's Police Positive or Bankers Special in .38 S&W (not .38 Special) with a 2 inch barrel and spurless hammer comes close to an ideal overall configuration for a pocket rocket. The Colt offers 6 shots which is somewhat of an advantage, except that the factory loaded .38 S&W cartridge is less potent.

My Pre 36 with serial number 164XX made in 1952

This little fella in the center here is my pre model 36. SN 184XX also 1952. Love the little guy to pieces. 17579975_10158573267735624_255247033_n.jpg