Made what I hope was a good trade today, my S&W 915 for a model 36.

The person I traded with said this 36 was his grandfathers and that he may be able to turn up boxes/receipts etc. which he hopefully will mail to me.

Serial number is 13915X. If I understand the SCSW catalog right this puts it between 1957 and 1962, and probably closer to the lower end of that range ?

The grips number to the gun which is new for me, all my other Smith's have been too new for this.

It's no gem like others have posted but since I plan to carry and shoot it that doesn't get me down too much. Despite the finish I can't find a spec of carbon anywhere almost as if it were unfired? If that's the case it won't stay that way for long...

The trigger feels unusually heavy compared to my 642, perhaps it has not yet broken in. (Also fixable )

The guy also gave me the rounds he found inside it. The head stamp ways "S&W 38 SPL". Didn't S&W made ammunition for a while, and if so when did they stop? The rounds do not appear very old, they are nickle cased and semi-jacketed hollow points.

Anyways, enough rambling. Here are the pics

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Matthew
36, 19-4

Cool gun! I picked one up from a guy at work a couple weeks ago very close to your year range with numbered grips. It's not a safe queen but is in decent shape with a few marks and some slight rust spots on the backstrap but for a $150 how could it be passed up. Great carry gun that you wont be afraid to get a few marks on and know it will work when needed. And a flat latch to boot!

Get some Flitz and thumb that thing like new in an hour.
Nice catch BTW !
I would like to add a nickel on to my stash

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Nice 36, a real classic gun.
I bought an older model 49 a few months ago with a really stiff trigger, took the grip panels off, put some Break-Free on the hammer spring and dry fired it many times. It loosened right up and is now as easy and smooth as the rest of my j-frames. Maybe yours just has some crud and dried up old lube on the spring like mine did.

Interesting idea, i took the side plate off and sprayed some cleaner in there but didnt really focus on the springs. Thanks!

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Matthew
36, 19-4