I always had thought that the models 36-1 with 3 inches barrel were square butt, and the model 36 no dash 2 inches barrel were round butt except for a NYPD edition that had 2 inches barrel and square butt.

But a friend of mine has a model 36 no dash with 3 inches barrel and round butt. Was it a special edition of the model 36? Or was it a normal production revolver?

Its serial number is 59JXXX.

I´d appreciate any information about this revolver. Thanks in advance.

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It was a normal production gun. They also had two 3" barrel types...light (tapered) and heavy.

36-no dash RB 3" tapered light barrel.

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C & L

According to the SCSW, the 3" model 36 was SB only and the 2" RB only, but I have seen many 2" SBs and more than a few 3" RBs. This 3" was likely shipped in 1971.

I think the 2" SB J frame you may be recalling is a special model 60 run for Jovino in the mid-1980s.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Yep, something is wrong with the book. I picked this one up last weekend. A Model 36 - no dash - three inch barrel, round butt. Grips numbered to the revolver.

I've owned a 3" tapered-barrel 36-no dash and a 3" heavy-barrel 36-1, both with round butts.

If you want to be confused study the J frame! ! Originally the Chief's Special was made in 2" RB. Due to many inquires from police agencies in 1950 they introduced the 3" barrel and in 1952 they introduced the SB guns. The Chief's Special was never built on the true I frame, the cylinder window was too short for the 38 SPL cartridge. The first guns had the I frame grip and trigger guard. The confusion started when they introduced the model numbering system in 1957. The Chief's Special became the model 36 which was made in 2", 3", SB, RB, blued , and nickled guns. The mod 36 underwent many engineering changes but they never stamped a dash number for any of them. The 36-1 stamping is the designation for the 3" heavy barrel model which was put into production in 1967. For the other I frame models(30,31,32,33, etc.) the switch to the J frame was designated with the -1 after the model number
jcelect SWCA#LM723

Yes it was in the standard catalog of S&W where I saw the information that the model 36 was barrel 2” round butt (except for a NYPD edition) and the model 36-1 was barrel 3” square butt.

But I have been seeing in previous post in this same page that the model 36 with 3 inches barrel and round butt are no rare.

Model 36 3" Show yours.

Model 36 -- 3 inch vs 2 inch

S&W Model 36 3"

My wife says this one is hers! I bought it off the net about 4 years ago. It was advertised as "In very good condition". Turned out I got the box, unopened tools and PW. I am sure it wasnt fired and I didnt pay all that much. I have only bought this one gun off the computer. I think it was made in 1970.

I always had thought the Chiefs Special or model 36 with 3 inches barrel were made for outdoor activities, like a kit gun or something like that.
I didn´t know it was because of police agencies inquires. Thanks for the information.

I have a model 36 no dash 2 inches barrel, but I would like to have another one with 3 inches barrel, I supposed because of the better sight radius it would be easier to have a better accuracy.

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Foto-0036.jpg (34.0 KB, 67 views)

I have a 3" 36 heavy barrel r/b also, it is my most accurate j frame, it looks exactly like your photo

The square butt may look good, but many LEOs in NY had trouble controlling them when firing. Sile Distributors sold an awful lot of wooden replacement grips to cops seeking a better grip on their SB guns in the pre-Pachmayr days.

I bought my 36-1 new in 1980, 3"heavy barrel, RB. Sweet piece. That's why I still have her.
The original grips & trigger are in the safe. I had a smooth wide trigger fitted in Springfield at the service center. She wears factory banana grips & carries hot original SuperVels & travels in a Bianchi IWB holster.

are the round butt ones easier to control?

Somewhat, but I put Goodyears on mine....
Not like pictured here...

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I think it's a matter of how they feel in your hand, rather than more or less controllability. Some people like the square butt because there's a little more to get ahold of. I have small hands and don't have any trouble getting them wrapped around a SB j-frame, but I do prefer the round butt-- they feel better in my hand, they point better for me, and IMHO they look better. The SB seems to pointshigh for me, due to having a little more material in the "heel" of the grip.

Interesting discussion. I've had just the opposite experience . . . the square butt feels better in my hand and points much more naturally than the round butt. On the other hand, the round butt conceals better. The beauty is we have both to choose from.

Russ

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

OKAY, now you are just showing off!!!!!!!!!!

This thread needs a picture of a Square Butt...a 3" tapered barrel nickel one.

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C & L

One not mentioned yet is the 36-6, 3" Rd butt with full lug barrel. Vintage 1989. I believe only 615 were made. The 60-4 is the same configuration in stainless.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I know now that my 1966 36 isn't so rare after all, but still very much enjoy it. I replaced the matching diamond magnas with a set of hogue finger grooved wood bantam grips, bought here on the forum. Much easier to shoot. Very nice pics of the 36 on this thread.

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Now that the existence of 3" RBs has been established they are still much scarcer than the SB configuration. Not rare just a lot fewer made. I love this forum because as soon as you think you know something doesn't exist it seems to take about 5 minutes until someone produces a picture of one or many.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

To the original Ops question.
The scarce configuration is a 3" RB with a tapered barrel the 36 no dash. It is scarce but not rare. It would be nice to know how many 3" no dash RBs were made as opposed to SBs. It would also be interesting after the intro of the HB -1 configuration what % of 3" guns were no dash and what % were -1s.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

They made them both ways from time to time.

Then can we have a conclusion?: The difference between model 36 and model 36-1 is that the 36 is round butt and the 36-1 is square butt, and the length of the barrel is not a difference between them because there are models 36 no dash whit 3 inches barrel as a regular production.

Am I right?

I come to a different conclusion . . .

The model 36 was available in both 2" and 3" tapered barrels . . . and both round and square butt. The model 36-1 was available only in 3" heavy barrel . . . and both round and square butt.

Russ

Correct-- the 36-1 is a 3" heavy barrel. The 36 is a 2" or 3" tapered barrrel. Both 36 & 36-1 can be found with either SB or RB.

Ok, now I understand, the difference is if it is heavy or tapered barrel. Thanks again.

I told you people the J frames were confussssssing! No one believes me! I've been collecting them for 30yrs and the only thing that means is that "I'm really connnfusssed"! Don't even try to follow the serial numbering system!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

Of course we believe you. J frames are confused, special the dashes 1 and 2 that no reflex engineering changes as other S&W models, like you said in your previous message.

I only wanted to find some logic to the model 36 no dash barrels and butts.


Forgive my bad English

Hannibal

My Sam Damewood-customized one is probably the last pistol I'd give up:

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Now go make God proud...

This was a pawnshop find.All original papers and receipt. Had some nice offers, but it's still mine.

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Halfway and one more step

Some of the earlier ones had a Flat Latch... possible before they started numbering the revolvers. I had a 3-inch RB with flat latch, sold it (along with a bunch of other guns) to raise capital for my business.

Thanks Hannibal Barca for starting this extremely educational thread. It is amazing how much knowledge and expertise there is on this forum.

I have the opportunity to purchase a Md. 36 no dash with 3" barrel, round butt, tapered barrel. Based on info from this thread I estimate its age as circa 1972. It includes correct matching box w/all papers but no tools. It appears to be unfired but the cylinder has been opened and closed numerous times and it has a VERY light cylinder ring marking. Can anyone help me with a ballpark price estimate. I'd love to have this gun but I'm hesitant in overpaying in this "hyperactive" environment? Thanks in advance for any replies.

Hi loeman,

Good to see another New Mexican neighbor on the board. Hey, these revolvers definitely sell for more on the ground here in the SW than they do, say, in the northeast. In the condition you describe, I would not be surprised to see that gun sell quickly at $450 in a local shop. I would also not be surprised to see it priced at $595 and be gone (whether at full price or - more likely - at some discount) within two weeks.

I think I gave $275 for the 36-1 pictured up-thread about ten years ago (before the custom work, of course) . . . and I felt like I was paying a fair price at the time. Of course, Leviathan has been printing a ton of money since then . . .

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Now go make God proud...

What was done to it? The exterior looks stock.

Thanks Erich for your response! The 36 no dash in question is right in the ballpark that you suggested it might be.

I love the holster for your 36. It's really cool. Who made it?

Yes, another New Mexican! Hence "loeman" Land of Enchantment man. I think I remember one of your earlier posts as having sold guns for a LGS while attending law school.

Hammer cut to 547's profile, gold bead installed on front sight, serrations removed from trigger face, action job, chamfered chambers.

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Now go make God proud...

I'm liking that gold bead!

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C & L

My apologies if this is a little off-topic but does anyone have a 3" Model 36 that letters to the US Navy?

Thanks,
Kevin Williams

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I bought one last year as you describe. I paid right around $500. I would have to find receipt I thought it was right based on 99%+ condition and an awesome deep bluing.
Here are the best pics I have.. none of them do justice. They came out very grainy when they transferred to PhotoBkt. I need to retake photos in my light box.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Beautiful gun, mbliss57

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Now go make God proud...

Many thanks to Mbliss57, Erich and others for your kind responses to my questions regarding an available Model 36 no dash, 3 inch barrel, round butt in 99%+ condition. Your information helped me determine that I was getting a fair deal. I bought it this morning and as noted above, it came with serial matching box, grips and miscellaneous papers. Its serial is a floating J number from 1972.

After getting it home and examining it very carefully, I'm convinced it has not been fired except for leaving factory. The seller bought it from an elderly man along with one box of ammo with none missing.

What's it look like? Take a look at Mbliss57's. It's exactly the same. I'll get some photos taken of mine real soon and post on this thread.

I sold a 1975-ish tapered 3" model 36 last spring for $400 in similar condition, but with no box or etc. I bought it from a guy who "rescued" it from a Seattle gun buy back not long before, he probably gave $200 for it ( buy-back was giving $100 and I heard most rescuers were offering double). He sold it to me at a profit, but still low enough that I could turn around and sell it a while later for a reasonable profit myself.

Mbliss57 I agree with Erich, beutiful gun indeed.

There is a 36-1 box on ebay 3" SB serial 459000. Which is before my 36-0. 2" RB Ser 5465xx Found that interesting. I was thinking of starting a data base with info from all the boxes on eBay as well guns on gunbroker etc. a lot of folk with pistols passing lately

Really? Weird!
I have both a RB 2" and a SB 3" and feel that I get a much better grip on the SB than on the RB...

have got a Model 36 no dash with serial number 370742. SmithandWesson replied to my inquiry about the production date, that it should be between 1962 and 1969.

It has a square butt and the flat cylinder release latch, but I think it is the heavy barrel.

My local gunstore owner said that the 3 inch barrel j-frame is a rare sight here in Luxembourg. I still have the matching original wood grips and some Pachmayr (patent pending) rubber grips. When I bought the firearm it came also with a Lawrence holster (541) and a HKS speedloader.

I'll upload some other pics soon.

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