Greetings to all! I posted this picture on another forum that another of your members (da gimp) frequents. Gimp saw my post there and insisted I share this with you.

This is my post to the other forum:

"I picked up an older pinned bbl Smith model 36 with a 3" barrel today. The gun is still in the original factory box and appears to have never been fired (except proofing of course). It is really a beauty. I wonder if any of you might have reference material for Smith manufacture dates by serial number? Just in case you do, the SN is J397XXX. It has the thin barrel and thin long ramp front sight. Also, it is a square butt type. Any ideas or info?"

Posters on the other forum tell me this revolver was made in 1976ish. Comments from this forum are heartily welcomed!

[IMG] Smith Model 36 by mountain_doo2, on Flickr[/IMG]

Steve welcome to the forum. Your going to love it here. I don't have my book with me right now to look up when your gun was made but someone will be along soon to help. I can say one thing you gout a keeper. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

StevieC, welcome to the forum. Love the 3" 36, complete with box! Well done.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

Welcome!

The 3" Chief's Special is just about the sweetest shooting Chief's they ever made, and yours looks like a real beauty. A bit too long for pocket carry, but if you are going to carry on in an OWB holster, it's GREAT!! Enjoy it and I hope you shoot it often.

Regards,
Chief38

Congratulations on buying that beauty as it's a great revolver.

1976-77: j370001-j610000. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Are you sure it's a 3"?

Thanks for the confirmation Joe!

The box says it's 3" Flint. Were other barrel lengths made (other than 2 and 3 inch) in the model 36?

It looks like a 4'' barrel to me.

I was thinking the same thing. 4" barrel

It's definitely 3". Here's a pic for confirmation. One of the things I've always loved about the Model 36 with a 3" barrel is how it looks like a miniature full size revolver. I love it so much in fact that I'm going back to the shop ASAP for a 3" heavy bbl 36 that is in not nearly as good condition as this one, but will be an excellent shooter...
[IMG] 36 measurement by mountain_doo2, on Flickr[/IMG]

I completely agree! I bought one sans box a few years ago, it was in such good shape I couldn't bring myself to carry or shoot it until this past week......now I want another one! I put a set of Spegel grips on mine (it's also a square-butt, like yours) and it now fits my hand a lot better than the dinky factory grips. I carry IWB anytime I have britches on, and this little gun just disappears. I can't shoot snubbies very well, but this gun lines up and shoots like a 4-inch!

Just goes to show you that I must need something other than K's & N's. Truly a great find you have there and in stunning condition.

Im also a fan of the 3" Model 36,
There are a few variations in existence .
The top gun in the picture below is the Airweight version (Model 37), The Middle gun is like the OP's and is the first design with tapered barrel ,
The bottom of the three (and left) is the 36-1 heavy barrel version which actually has a different frame than the tapered version as well.



There is also a round butt HB version (below) , and a Stainless version (Model 60).

Might be a target site version as well but I havent found one yet.

I found a nice 60-4 a decade or more ago. I liked it so well, I've been looking for another heavy barreled J frame. A couple months ago, I snagged a LNIB 36-1 round butt which is intended as a B-day present for my wife later this Summer. I also put a set of Crimson Trace 305s on the gun. I took the latest J frame to the range a few weeks ago for a test run. Even Remington's "FBI" load is a breeze in the heavier J frame.

PC

Glad I told Steve to join us & post this here. His 36 is a real cutie, knew everyone would like it.......You done good kid, as they say around here.

I always tell everyone asking about a S&W over on Jouster'sCSP to come here........if you guys can't help them, no one can........ On M1's, M-14's, 1911's & other military weapons, they are the go to board. On S&W's this is home.....

That's a Beauty but looks like a 4" to me as well.
Nevermind, hard to tell with those little J frames pictures on barrel length.
I just picked up a 2" 36-7 today for 299.00 at LGS. Gonna shoot it sunday
and i'll report. Its my first J frame and also first fixed sight Smith.



chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Thanks EVERYONE for your replies! I really enjoyed looking at the others posted along the way here! As I indicated earlier, I went and picked up that Mod. 36 3" HB today. This one is pinned barrel, round butt, SN J858XXX. It looks like it was probably a department issue gun, but I'm not sure about that. Definitely was carried as there are holster wear spots on both sides of the front of the barrel and some weak places in the cylinder bluing but the thing was cleaned by someone who knew what they were doing. The grips were rather rough and I had a Hogue one piece rubber in a parts box, so I slid it on and I like the way it feels. Since I intend to shoot this one and keep the other in it's current condition, I don't mind adding the bulk of the new grip.

I'll try to post a picture of the new to me (heavy barrel) one tomorrow.

Thanks again all!

Steve