Could use some help/info. Waaaay back in mid to late 70's I purchased a used 36-1, with 3" heavy barrel, square bottom handle, from a lgs who had recently sold it new. The original buyer had him fine tune the trigger a little. I don't know what that entailed. He then brought it back and traded for something else. The lgs changed the grip out for a larger model for my hand. They have the S&W medallions. There is just a very faint cylinder line since I shot less than 50 rounds and then stored it away. Unfortunately, I don't have the box or papers.
The serial number is J438xxx. Would like to know the date of mfg. and possible value. It's a beautiful gun in beautiful condition.

Approximately June 1976. Without beautiful pics, hard to determine value, but figure $350 & ^.

3" 36-1. Figure $550 & ^. Three inch anything brings good money right now.

I just purchased a 36 no dash for 475 shipped.. with a 2.5.
Its funny to me how hickok45 can ramp prices.

sometimes people are like lambs..

I would say it’s worth $300 to $350. Maybe $400 if in excellent condition and IF you kept the original stocks. The most I’ve ever paid for a model 36 was $450 and that was for a factory nickel 3” in like new condition with the box.

I paid $495 plus tax for one just as you describe last year. (minus the trigger job). Unfired condition, no turn line, original square butt magna stocks in flawless condition.

Here is what it looked like when it was new-to-me. If'n I was you, I would NOT sell it. You'll never find another one in that condition.

Of course it now has slight turn line and burn marks!

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But then, what do I know?

Thanks to everyone who replied. Very much appreciated. I believe you are very accurate on the date according to my memory. Unfortunately, I don't have the original grip, box, or papers. At the time I didn't know to ask for them. It was my first gun, and I didn't buy any more until just recently. I got on the 9mm semi-auto train.
My grips completely cover the handle, no metal front or back. Although it has the S&W medallions there is nothing inside to say it's an original. My guess is a really nice aftermarket even though it looks very much like original. My apologies, I'm new here and haven't learned how to post pictures. I doubt I would sell it, although I'm looking at buying 2 more 9mm and could use the money. Even though my sons and grandsons are not into guns, it would still be a nice heirloom.

I recently bought a blue and a nickel but with original grips. $350 for blue, $400 for nickel. PM me if you likelike for additional information.

Are your grips like these? If so, they are J frame combat grips and worth $100+ by themselves. It appears this gun came with these on it. I'm requesting a factory letter to find out for sure.

I see in the pic where the gun is propped up by the Victorinox knife that the Vic. Swiss Cross logo is worn and the handle may be scuffed.

Do you carry anything in your pocket besides the knife and your handkerchief? That's a sure way to have keys, coins, etc. abrade your knife.

I feel sorry for that knife.

Anyone who'd sell a nice M-36-1 just doesn't know fine, practical guns well, or has totally different applications for his firearms than I have...

One of the best small .38's I've owned was a blue M-36-1 that I had factory Magna smooth rosewood stocks on with a Tyler adaptor. It shot very well to at least 25 yards, and would take Plus P ammo if needed for the purpose that day. I now have a splendid M-60-4, but if I had more money, a M-36-1 would be on my acquisitions list. They made some stainless equivalents, and I had one of those, too. They were M-60's, of course, and the stainless factor is a strong improvement over blued guns. (I have never and will never own a nickeled gun.)

Had hard circumstances not forced it, I'd never have sold either of those guns. They are among the best of all small .38's.

I would like to see this purported M-36 with a 2.5-inch barrel. It would be the first such animal that any of us have seen, I think.

Either you don't have an M-36 or you are probably not measuring the barrel right. S&W has made some very unusual, non-catalogued, guns in very small numbers, but doubt if this is the case here.

People don't read these threads well, or this would have been mentioned by now. I kept thinking that someone else would address the matter and I wouldn't need to.

Post a photo and we'll tell you what you really have. Wouldn't be the first case of mistaken identity here...

Some models did come with 2.5-inch barrels, but not, I think, the M-36.