Hello,

We own a store, range & training facility in Columbus and run across a lot of unique items. Today we took in a revolver that is somewhat perplexing to me and I thought I would ask the experts! The revolver is a S&W M36. (No dashes) It appears to have possibly been re-blue because the bluing looks a little too shiny from what we would expect. It is also engraved reportedly from the factory by Paul Piquiette. With this in mind, I assumed it was made prior to 1967, but was surprised to see the serial number of ABL0181 which is closer to an early 80s production. Any insights on what may have occurred to put it in this configuration. Thanks for the help & for those of you who remember, we still have the Jack Ruby SW revolver from years ago and it is doing fine!

-Eric Delbert

Paul Piquette engraved for S&W from 1976-1999 and an alpha numeric serial number beginning with ABL would date the Model 36 to 1982-1983. The serial number and engraving by Paul Piquette appear to agree.

Bill

That is what I thought to Bill, but it not being a M36 with any dashes is what is confusing to me. Thanks Bill.

Eric

Howdy Eric,

Many, many folks get the "dashes" confused with Chiefs Specials.

Chiefs followed a different "trajectory" than most S&Ws.

From 1950 through 1957 there were Chiefs, and beginning in 1957/8, there were Model 36s.

In 1967 S&W assigned Model number 36-1 to 3" Heavy Barrel Chiefs. It also made 3" lightweight barreled Chiefs until 1975 under the Model 36 designation. Then, from 1975 onward, the 36 was a 2" and the 36-1 was the only 3".

It wasn't until 1988 that S&W amended the model number to reflect barrel-specific alterations to the original designations.

2" Chiefs traveled a path of 36-2, 36-4, 36-7, and 36-9.

3" Chiefs were 36-3, 36-5, 36-6 (target model), and 36-8.

In 2001 S&W introduced the 36-10 with the Internal Lock. It has been seen in both 2" and 3" models since then.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Perfect! The Chiefs are my favorite firearm of all times and my collection is made up predominately of Chiefs and I did not know the info you passed along!
Thanks again Bob-
Eric

Some of us like to look at pictures. Can you post some of your engraved chief?

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Charlie