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12-10-2010, 12:00 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Model 36 Chief's Special
Can anyone help with any information such as date of manufacture or anything else of interest on my Model 36 Chief's Special Serial number 7115XX?
Thanks!
Last edited by Phoenix Farmer; 12-10-2010 at 12:01 AM.
Reason: typo
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12-10-2010, 01:26 PM
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Is there a letter in front of the number?
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12-10-2010, 06:03 PM
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No, there are no letters in the serial number. I know it was purchased new sometime in the mid to late 60's.
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12-10-2010, 06:51 PM
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it seems like there are new d.o.b. requests for earlier j-frames every day! the scocw leaves a pretty wide gap on serial numbers from 1962 through the j- prefix guns in 1969. basically, the first 1962 numbers start at 295000, and the last "no j- prefix" numbers end around 786XXX in 1969.
perhaps the more effective way to narrow it down is with its features. the flat latch ended in 1966, and the diamond grips ended in 1968 (make sure the grips have the same serial number as the gun!).
i am sure several forum members have lettered guns in this range to narrow it down further. it would just take a little more time and exposure.
AND! as always, there are are exceptions. parts could have been changed, grips could easily have been changed, s&w definitely did some funky shipping sequences at all points of their history, with earlier guns shipped later, and vice-versa!
it is always interesting! good luck!
ed
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12-10-2010, 07:34 PM
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I don't know if this will help- I have a model 36 my dad purchased new in December 1968 with an SN 639XXX so there is a good chance it was made in '67 or '68.
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12-12-2010, 05:33 PM
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The grips have been changed, so no help there. The face of the cylinder latch is dished, as if to fit your thumb (1967 or newer?).
Under the left grip., there are some characters:
The numbers - "84402"
stand alone characters - "W3"
stand alone character - "4"
stand alone character - "B"
Do any of these have meaning?
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12-14-2010, 06:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steamloco76
I don't know if this will help- I have a model 36 my dad purchased new in December 1968 with an SN 639XXX so there is a good chance it was made in '67 or '68.
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Just to add to the confussion I bought my model 36 in the late Spring of 68 S/N J1XX! (Has flat latch)
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12-14-2010, 07:17 PM
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just for fun, I didn't know any J serials had flat latches. Must have found some flats in a drawer and decided to get rid of them. At S&W that wouldn't have been the first time they found old parts and decided to use them up.
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