A few months ago I "pulled-the-pin" and retired from LE. A farewell present was given to me in the form of a Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special. My co-workers were well aware of my long association with the service revolver and were kind enough to give me this revolver present instead of a Crock, er, Glock, I mean. That is our current issue, the Glock 21, and now that I'm gone, the last revolver carrier is missing from the ranks. The couple of "pistol always" instructors will no longer have an old senior deputy, still carrying a revolver (Model 10-6), shooting for qualification to contend with. I'm a very prideful man that shot a Pistol Course of Fire with a six-shooter for many years, passed all, and ask no quarter. I really would have like to have seen the two range officers, not born yet when I started in 1971, shoot this same course of fire with a revolver. Just for kicks, just to seen how good they would shoot. The course was not revolver friendly and I just had to share this with my friends here and get it off my chest! Those old officers I thought funny and strange back in 71, now I've become one.
The serial number of my Model 36 is 7J8466. It is blue steel, two-inch bbl., and a round butt. It appears new, but I know this snubby looks to be a 60's production. Can anyone help me out with a factory date? My deepest thanks in advance. Will post a picture ASAP.
David

The embedded "J" in the serial number generally indicates very early 1970's. With the 7J, I'm guessing the year you started. . .1971. Others will nail it down better than I can.

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Dr. B

I can't help you with the date on your 36, but I can relate to your story. When we converted to the Glock I would still sometimes carry my 2 1/2" 19-3. I would get curious looks from the gen X-ers and it was fun to tell them that my gun was older than they were. But, alas, I did not get a revolver at my retirement 4 years ago. Instead a G23. Congrats on your well earned retirement.


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Tony

Enjoy retirement and enjoy the new gun

It always amazes me, but many officers have never shot a revolver! When I started, we had model 19's, then transitioned to Sig P226.

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Congrats on the retirement and thanks for your service.

Enjoy the retirement and that little Mod.36!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Nice! Glad you got it.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Congratulations on that well deserved gift of that Revolver.

Enjoy your retirement and your new to you "J"!

David:
You have had a very long and blessed career.
Always good to hear from You my friend.
Enjoy the Model 36.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

REAL COPS CARRY REVOLVERS !
For the first 35 years of my LEO career I carried a "Wheel Gun".
Then my current agency started issuing Sig-Sauer P-229 .40 caliber (because the new chief liked Sigs)
However the next 10 years I carried the issue Sig, but a revolver as BU.

That's a very nice retirement gift for old revolver guys like us. I retired 2 1/2 yrs. ago after 37 yrs. While we were issued the G17/19/26, my guys knew I loved my old revolvers. They also knew that finding an older, pre-lock model was going to be a challenge, especially in CA. They settled on getting me this beautiful Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. with all of the cool inlay and a presentation box to match. It my not be what I carried, but it is a great gift anyway.

Attached Images

	VAQUERO OVERALL 1.jpg (110.9 KB, 126 views)
	RUGER PRESENTATION CASE.jpg (53.6 KB, 76 views)

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Dave Frost

Allow me to add my congrats to your well earned retirement. I started my LEO career in '68 and the thirty-eight saved my bacon more than once. We transitioned to the Glock pistol and the bosses required everyone to give up the old revolvers, but by then I was in management and behind a desk most of the time. I retired in '97 and learned to relax and enjoy my wife and grandkids.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Very nice!!!

David,
Congratulations on your retirement from law enforcement. That Chiefs Special was a most appropriate retirement gift and I know you will cherish it. Well done, Sir!!

This was my retirement gift from my wife. A reproduction saber like those issued to Napoleon's light cavalry subalterns (second lieutenants) in the Mounted Hunters of the Imperial Guard. The sword came from France.









Thanks for looking.

God bless,
Birdgun

dabney:

Congrats on your retirement, and kudos to the folks who gave you the appropriate gift.

Your story brought back a wonderful memory. Hope you don't mind if a take in minute to share it.

I the late 70s I worked on a crew of four guys in the control tower at Nellis AFB, NV (in Las Vegas). Our crew chief, JJ, (6 stripes) had been a Marine for eight years; he never talked about it. FY was the number two guy (4 stripes). I had 3 stripes, and FE had 2. We were together for more than a year. JJ wore a high 'n' tight hair cut and was clean shaven; FY, FE, and I were usually out of regs as far as hair and mustaches went. JJ's uniforms had heavy starch, the rest of us did the wash 'n' wear thing. The other crews called us the Motley Crew, but we were the only crew who never got called into the boss's office for an on-the-job infraction!

You couldn't have driven a toothpick between the four of us. We noticed the other crews continuously bickered. When it was time for JJ to retire after a combined 24 years of USMC and USAF service FY, FE, and I made a quick decision on our gift to him: a S&W Model 36, for the best Crew Chief any of us had known. I've known a lot of Marines since, but I've never seen another one cry.

Semper Fi, JJ.

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

A fine gesture from your fellow officers and friends. One that speaks volumes for their respect and esteem for you. Well done sir. Congrats on your retirement.

Glad to see a new post from you. Look forward to pics of your fine gift.
This is timely, in that tomorrow I attend a retirement gathering for a long time, dear friend, closing out a 30+ year LE career.

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America First

Congratulations on your retirement! Now RELAX and enjoy it! Shoot that 36 and realize it was a wonderful farewell gift. I retired in 2011 after 38 years, 13 Military Police, and 25 Civilian City Police.

I think that's an awesome gift.

A new S&W revolver would have made a fine gift, but the fact that they went out of there way to find you an older, out-of-production model speaks volumes.

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Because of the metric system?

jeeze! all I got after 34 years was my badge in lucite. (actually a repro, I told them I "lost" my real badge., and my P226 in .40. What I would have preferred was my 3' 36, but it had been recalled probably ten years before.

Retirement, a pension, good memories and a model 36. Good for you brother, now live a long ,long time, and enjoy your new found and well deserved freedom.

As usual a great story and a great gun.


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Wheel guns are real guns too.

Just ran across this old thread, and wondering if anyone has heard from David in the last couple years. I always treasured his threads, and miss reading them.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Yes, after 46 years on the job, I hope that he didn't spend 6 months rocking on the porch before boredom did him in.

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Only a cold warrior

Hey, guys.... I hadn't been over on the Colt forum for weeks, and I just checked in there, and there was a PM from "dabney"!!! I didn't even know he was a member there...and I had just been wondering about him here on 11/17/2019, and his message over there was dated 11/15/2019!!!

Here's what he says:

Thought that you fellows would like to hear that he is OK!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I inquired about him a few months ago, no one had heard from him. Good to know he is alive and well.