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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 09-22-2017, 01:38 PM
Birdgun Birdgun is offline
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Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question?  
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Default Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question?

I just added a nice Model 36 (no dash) Chief's Special to my humble S&W revolvers family circle. However, I'm confused about the grip stocks on my Model 36. The "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition" (SCSS4), page 244, indicates that the diamond grip stocks were deleted in 1968 with the Model 36-1. According to the SCSS4, pages 244 & 489, my Model 36 (no dash) should be a 1966-67 vintage gun and should have had diamond grip stocks; which it obviously does not.

Anybody have a notion as to why my Model 36 doesn't have the diamond grip stocks?

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in .38 Special.






My humble S&W revolver family.
Starting at 12 o'clock and going clockwise:
- Model 625-9 "Mountain Gun" in .45 Colt
- Model 19-3 "Combat Magnum" in .357 Magnum
- Model 34-1 "Kit Gun" in .22 LR
- 4th Model "Pocket Revolver" in .32 S&W
- Model 36 "Chief's Special" in .38 Special
- Model 15-4 "Combat Masterpiece" in .38 Special


Thank you in advance for your comments and for looking at my photos.

God bless,
Birdgun

Last edited by Birdgun; 09-22-2017 at 01:41 PM.
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Old 09-22-2017, 01:49 PM
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Until one of our true experts on engineering changes speaks up, let me provide a general answer:

To my knowledge, the elimination of the diamond pattern across the model range was not tied to any specific dash change of a model. It also did not happen suddenly at a specific date, but was phased in over time as old supplies were used up and new ones started to be installed. So your gun, which date-wise falls into the transition years, is perfectly good with the non-diamond stocks, as they are properly numbered to the gun. It's just an early one.
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Old 09-22-2017, 02:27 PM
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Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question? Model 36 Chief's Special grip stock question?  
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Absalom is dead on correct. BTW, nice acquisition on the 36 and a fine looking family portrait. hardcase60
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Old 09-22-2017, 06:25 PM
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That's a really nice looking little Chiefs Special! Congrats. Since your serial numbers match, I'm guessing your Chiefs shipped from the factory after the change order to delete the diamond grips went into effect, no matter when the book suggests your gun was made.

The Model 36-1 simply designated a 3" model with the heavy barrel; the 36-1s were made simultaneously with the 2" Model 36s until the late '80s.
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