The Really Old Chief's Special Thread

[Hondo44]

Hi Elroy,

NO, left hand thread. That it is an easy one to answer but I'm including I frames in my answer as well, lest someone makes an erroneous assumption.

The post war I frames were changed to left hand threads on straight ejector rods soon after the commencement of production following WW II, and their spawn, the 1950 introduced J frame Chiefs Special, therefore began life with left hand threads on straight ejector rods.

Just for the record however, and not affecting J frames; I must acknowledge that early post war I frames were produced with right hand threads and these are identifiable by the pre war 'barrel' style ejector rod knob, BUT:

Second just for the record; a very scarce few 'late', early post war I frames with the "barrel" knob have been observed with left hand threads! Again this is irrelevant to J frames.

To summarize: on the post war I and J frames; all straight ejector rods are left hand thread, but on the I frames not every "barrel" type ejector rod is right hand thread!

As usual with Smiths, the I frame ejector rod changes were subject to a transition period of several years.

These are only my observations and I would be appreciative of anyone else's observations to add to the data base.

[Elroy]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

NO, left hand thread........ the 1950 introduced J frame Chiefs Special, therefore began life with left hand threads on straight ejector rods. .

Well I'm glad I asked. Thank you kindly

Originally Posted by Hondo44

These are only my observations and I would be appreciative of anyone else's observations to add to the data base.

As I understand it; information is KING.

[Elroy]

Just a heads up on an early Baby Chief on GB

Not associated with this auction but with the low serial number, small guard and the smooth ramp this "baby" has all the right stuff.

Auction # 276023450

[ar33]

I think mine falls in line. Serial # 1646XX

[Green Frog]

Originally Posted by ar33c9

I think mine falls in line. Serial # 1646XX

Actually, while it shows signs of long honorable service, yours is not a Baby Chief since it has a long trigger guard and a three screw side plate. So if that is what you re saying, I would disagree.

With that serial number, it is a neat early pre-36 J-frame, though. BTW, do you get a better grip on it with that T-grip style adaptor? The jury is still out for me whether they help or hurt my control.

Froggie

[ar33]

Originally Posted by Green Frog

Actually, while it shows signs of long honorable service, yours is not a Baby Chief since it has a long trigger guard and a three screw side plate. So if that is what you re saying, I would disagree.

With that serial number, it is a neat early pre-36 J-frame, though. BTW, do you get a better grip on it with that T-grip style adaptor? The jury is still out for me whether they help or hurt my control.

Froggie

I meant it falls under the title of the thread "The Really Old Chief's Special Thread". I like the t-grip very much, have them on most of my revolvers.

[Green Frog]

Thanks for the quick response, ar33c9. That old Chief has obviously been around a while and certainly qualifies as one of the "good ole guys!"

The reason for the question about the T-grips was that we were discussing (on another thread) what could be done to make the little grips on the I- and J-frames more manageable while staying concealable. While I have experience with them on K- and especially N-frames, I'm woefully ignorant on how they would perform with the little guys. Your input is most appreciated.

Regards,
Froggie

[cwo4uscgret]

Does Serial Number 99J9XX
.38 Chief's Special
Nickel Model 36
3" Round Butt qualify? If so I can post photos of it; I just bought it today in its silver box with cleaning rod and brush, instruction sheet, and S&W Ammo flyer...

[Engine49guy]

serial 7913

[Engine49guy]

Finally found a half penny front site Baby Chief


Serial 1025 (center) shipped December 1951,
Terrier 58087 (left) shipped December 1950,

[Green Frog]

I guess you know I'm now officially green with envy!

Nice family shot there!

Froggie

[Engine49guy]

Froggie , somehow I knew you would be.....He he.
Here is one to make it just a bit greener...CHEERS!

[dacoontz]

Now you just need one of these (see below). Although, I imagine your probably
fairly satisfied with that collection. I too am envious. I wish I could find a half
moon front sight baby chief. I did see one LNIB at the January Vegas Antique
arms show but the guy was asking $2200 for it, yikes. I picked up this guy for
less than 1/4 of that price.

Pre-36 Squre Butt, Sn#56766, Shipped October 1955.

[Green Frog]

ARRRGGHHH!!

Is one of those a 32 HE snub? Can I hold on to one shred of my dignity? That's a pretty family portrait, even the two handicapped ones in the middle of the right stack. It's not easy being deformed like they are, especially among all that beauty!

Froggie

[chief38]

Engine49Guy,

That's some family photo- BEAUTIFUL collection!

Chief38

[murphydog]

Originally Posted by cwo4uscgret

Does Serial Number 99J9XX
.38 Chief's Special
Nickel Model 36
3" Round Butt qualify? If so I can post photos of it; I just bought it today in its silver box with cleaning rod and brush, instruction sheet, and S&W Ammo flyer...

Hi, this one sounds nice and was probably shipped in 1971. It sounds like a nice gun but if it counts as really old that makes me feel very sad, as I am older than your gun . Please feel free to post photos anyhow.

[C&R Bill]

Very Nice geezer snubbies!!!!!

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by Green Frog

ARRRGGHHH!!

Is one of those a 32 HE snub? Can I hold on to one shred of my dignity? That's a pretty family portrait, even the two handicapped ones in the middle of the right stack. It's not easy being deformed like they are, especially among all that beauty!

Froggie

Froggie, I hate to admit it but I saw an early Chief about a year ago but passed on it because it was .32...
wished I had bought it now to complete the set.

.38 Chief , thanks for the Kudos,

DA Koontz VERY Nice 5 screw square butt ! Thats another one I need to BOLO (been on the lookout) for.

I had B.O.L.O for an early half moon Baby Chief for over a year when I
stumbled on this one in a local pawn shop for $275.00,
It looked a bit worse as it had some very rough grips and wrong hammer and was apparently pawned for $50.

I ended up "borrowing" a hammer and grips off another Baby Chief to spruce it up a bit,
eventually I will have to replace those on the other gun or it will haunt me.

[dacoontz]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

Froggie, I hate to admit it but I saw an early Chief about a year ago but passed on it because it was .32...
wished I had bought it now to complete the set.

.38 Chief , thanks for the Kudos,

DA Koontz VERY Nice 5 screw square butt ! Thats another one I need to BOLO (been on the lookout) for.

I had B.O.L.O for an early half moon Baby Chief for over a year when I
stumbled on this one in a local pawn shop for $275.00,
It looked a bit worse as it had some very rough grips and wrong hammer and was apparently pawned for $50.

I ended up "borrowing" a hammer and grips off another Baby Chief to spruce it up a bit,
eventually I will have to replace those on the other gun or it will haunt me.

That's a great price for half moon chief. I'd probably mess myself if I saw one for sale that cheap. There is a gun show here in Salt Lake this weekend. Maybe I'll get lucky.

[bwade]

Just found this one, it is probably a refinish, but it looks nice. Grips, barrel, cylinder, crane, extractor serial number matches to frame. Looks very good except for a slight blurring at the logo words on the frame. But, hey its a baby with serial number 128X. Inside of the gun has the matching assembly number to the frame, crane and side plate.

The nickel looks very good in person, but no "N" "B" or "S" anywhere. There is a "W" on it in two different places. Finding the half moon sight babies are tough, had to take a chance on this pretty nickel gun since I had an empty red box for a nickel chief.

[STCM(SW)]

Got this for my father in 1969 after some BG tried to rob his coin store.
Obtained it from the widow of the Chief of Police of Longbranch, N.J.
I changed the grips & trigger after he passed and it became mine.
S/N 38206

[bmg60]

Hi BWADE
Nice early baby chief but I would say it a refinish. It was a good job they did not over polish it. The Nickel looks a little to good for a gun that was built in 1952.
Heres the side of my frame with the N on it. Serial 1406
Jim

[Hondo44]

That was my first impression also. The nickel is nice but too nice for the wear on the stocks, but a very good polish & refinish.

[Murphy2000]

I have this one dated as 1959 by guess only. The grips are in mint condition. I had plans to use it as a carry gun on a regular basis. I've decided I want to keep it in this condition, so I'll just carry it on special occasions.

Gee, now I have to start over and find one I can shoot and carry all I want with no worry.

Murphy2000

[Penmon]

This is my Chief Special, Not 100% sure but probably made in 57 or 58.
Penmon

[Murphy2000]

Penmon,

Nice nickled Model 36. I do know the nickled ones seem to be sought after maybe just a bit more than the blue ones. I haven't seen many the nickle was still in that good of shape for it's age. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Murphy2000

[mbliss57]

I have 359xx Shipped July 29, 1953.

[peepaw]

Four screw flat latch #46454, I'm thinking from about 1954 or so.


And a bit later 3 inch #418915, I'm thinking somewhere around 1967 or so.

[Hondo44]

peepaw,
Two very nice Chiefs.

The 3" is earlier; the flat latch was discontinued in 1966.

[Fast Copperhead]

From I think around 1954 or 55

[peepaw]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

peepaw,
Two very nice Chiefs.

The 3" is earlier; the flat latch was discontinued in 1966.

Thanks for the info Jim.

[RubEric]

I purchased this new in 1960, carried it in Guantanamo during the blockade and three tours in SE Asia. Grips are from Herters.

[RussellD]

This seems like an appropriate place for my question.

When I was perusing a pistol shop yesterday I saw a nice model 36.
Nickel 2" with Silver/blue lined original box with all papers. Pistol looked brand new, and the tag said 1966. They were asking 585; seem fair?
It wasn't a flat latch or anything too special; but twas a fine specimen.

[Rev Dr]

Engine49, that's a nice collection. I'm curious about the one in the lower right corner with the tall front and adjustable rear sights....

[RABULL]

Here are my two 1955 year revolvers:

A 1955 S & W Pre-Model 36 .38 Special Revolver

A 1955 S & W Pre-Model 43 22 LR Revolver

[THREEDFLYER]

Picked up these little Gems this week......was going to only buy the nicer one, but went back for the other yesterday!
Serial numbers are 174X and 264X
Pretty sure first year....... :-))

[hotrod150]

Originally Posted by RubEric

I have a couple questions--
Did you "pinto-ize" it or is that from the factory? Never seen a factory pinto but I'm relatively new to the S&W collecting scene. No offense but personally I'd rather have all blue or all silver.
You say those grips are from Herters-- did they make them or just sell them? A guy I know has a pinned-barrel 37 with a set of those grips. They fill the hand nicely & look good, but are a bit too big for concealed-carry for me. But I did a little online research & thought I'd found some like that made by Siles.

[Hondo44]

THREEDFLYER,
Yes, could be first year. 1950, Oct 27, Introduction of the J frame Chiefs Special, #6 was 1st gun shipped.

[RussellD]

Well here is my new carry gun. Its going to replace a 1980's M36.

5 Screw Baby Chief with serrated ramp sight and original numbered grips.

[Kidd]

My Dad's Chief back up.

[Kidd]

My Dad's Chief back up.

[Victor2088]

Has a round butt, 5 shot flat latch, 3 screws S/N 968xx stamped on butt, stamped on interior of wood handles number 19 below that number 311. On the metal of the handles under grips letter H stamped. Has been my CC for years, shoots well. Am on waitlist for 9mm Shield, will then retire Chief to a HP and range gun after installing Pachmyer boot grip. Also, wife is more at ease with a revolver then a semi. No worry about safeties, no racking, just hammer back and squeeze.

In a way I hate to do it, but I think the Shield will be a lighter and easier carry in my old age.

[Hondo44]

Victor,

That's a nice one anybody would like to have. The 19/311 stamped on tha stocks is interesting. If the stocks are original the serial number is almost always stamped on the backside of the right side stock.

That # doesn't by chance match the assembly numbers on the yoke and frame in the yoke hinge with the cylinder open, does it?

[bettis1]

I found this "Baby" yesterday at a local store. Serrated ramp, flat latch. SN 371xx should put in around '52-'53 I think.

It has obviously had a busy life but it hasn't been abused and there's no reason why it shouldn't be able to serve another lifetime or two.

Bob

[lowercase]

Here's my older Chief's Special.

It dates from around 1962.

[66Park]

Here's my 1959 M36:

[jsfricks]

My c. 1958.

[SmithNut]

S/N 167x

[hotrod150]

Excellent photo, smithnut!! Did yu buy that toy truck that way or did you have to add the S&W graphics yourself?
Oh, nice baby Chief too.

[SmithNut]

All original....