Hi Guys
For years I thought I owned S&W mod 36, Chief’s Special in .38 Sp. A “collector” told me Chiefs Specials only came in 5 shot. This is six. My Google search only came up with 5 shots no six. I don’t know how to post pics but here are the details.

Serial #16888. Has G 7 below
Mod 10-6
.38 S&W Six shot
Barrel 1 7/8 or 2 in
Length of gun measures 7 in.
Fixed front sight and integral rear sight.
2 screws on right side, never had the grip off
Sorry no pic but looks like mod 36 except for six shot.
You help greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You have a Model 10: a K frame with 6 shots. J frames in 38 special are 5 shot revolvers.

See where you wrote Mod 10-6? That means it is a model 10, not a model 36. They are different frame sizes, a model 10 is a "K" frame , a model 36 is a"J" frame. Many model 10s came in a snub version, but other than minimal visual similarities they are quite different.

Sounds like you have a K frame model 10 snub nose revolver. A K frame is larger than a J frame. The model 36 Chief's Special is a J frame. In the attached pic the K frame Model 10 is on top, the J frame on bottom.

Attached Images

Smith-J-and-K.jpg (96.2 KB, 150 views)

Welcome to the Forum. You list Mod 10-6 and if you got that from the frame when you open the cylinder I'd guess you have a Model 10-6. The SN doesn't appear correct, did you get it from the butt of the gun? The 10-6 started in 1962 and if that is what you have I would expect the SN would have a K followed by six digits.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Was there a separate heavy-barrel 10-6 snubnose version besides the 10-5 snubby from 1962 to 1977?

I don‘t know, but if anyone has one I‘d like to see what it looks like compared to the standard 2“ barrel.

Below: the 10-5





The K prefix would be for a gun with adjustable sights. A Model 10-6 would have a C or a D as prefix letter.

Attached Images

239F5BE5-A26A-4F29-AC3A-5A1517F428CC.jpg (47.6 KB, 407 views)

Yes, it would be a C or a D, not K, for a 10-6 and likely six digits but could be less, if it is D 16888 that would likely be 1968.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Seems like your biggest problem now is you need a Chiefs Special 36.

Hi..different number on butt which is D378082. Other number on inside of frame near the 10-6. Any idea what the “-6” stands for? BTW, you guys rock, thanks.

Thanks, guys.

The dash 6 simply means the 6th change or 6th production variation of the model 10.
This was taken from a 2012 post on this forum.
S&W Model 10's Variant Matrix

Model: Year: -- Design/Engineering Changes: -- Frame Screws:
10 ----- 1957 -- Start of Model Numbering / Tapered Barrel -- 4 Screw
10-1 --- 1959 -- Introduction of Heavy Barrel -- 4 Screw
10-2 --- 1961 -- Internal Engineering Changes on Tapered Barrel Version -- 4 Screw
10-3 --- 1961 -- Int. Eng. And Sight Change on Heavy Barrel Version -- 4 Screw
10-4 --- 1962 -- Eliminated Trigger Guard Screw on Tapered Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-5 --- 1962 -- Rear Sight Change on Tapered Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-6 --- 1962 -- Eliminated Trigger Guard Screw on Heavy Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-7 --- 1977 -- Gas Ring Change on Tapered Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-8 --- 1977 -- Gas Ring Change on Heavy Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-9 --- 1988 -- Yoke Change/Floating Firing Pin Change on Tapered Barrel -- 3 Screw
10-10 -- 1988 -- Yoke Change/Floating Firing Pin Change on Heavy Barrel -- 3 Screw
10-11 -- 1997 -- Int. Eng. and Frame Change/MIM Hammer on Tapered Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-12 -- 1997 -- Int. Eng. and Frame Change/MIM Hammer on Heavy Barrel Version -- 3 Screw
10-13 -- 2002 -- 1899 100th Year Anniversary Commemorative -- 3 Screw
10-14 -- 2002 -- Introduction of Internal Key Lock / Heavy Barrel Only -- 3 Screw

The D prefix number on the butt is the serial number
The other number you mentioned is something called an assembly number and has NO consequence or aid in identification after leaving the factory.
You have answered your own question by listing mod 10-6 that is what it is.

The D prefix number on the butt is the serial number
The other number you mentioned is something called an assembly number and has NO consequence or aid in identification after leaving the factory.
You have answered your own question by listing mod 10-6 that is what it is.

By The Way, Welcome to the greatest gun forum! Hang around, you will be amazed at what all you can learn!

Ivan

The -6 means it has the heavy barrel. The Models 10-5 and 10-6 were produced during the same period - 1962 to 1977. The -5 had the tapered barrel.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I’m still not comfortable with the supposed 1 7/8 or 2 inch barrel on a 10-6 marked frame.

There is no evidence in the SCSW that there was a 10-6 barrel in that length. The shortest apparently was a special order of 780 HB Models 10-6 and 10-8 for the FBI and Michigan State Police with 2.5 inch barrels, so a pretty rare variant if that’s what it is. Also a few special 3” contracts. Other than that the 10-6 has a 4” barrel. I’d really like to see a photo of this gun.

My guess is that the model number under magnification will read 10-5, if the gun resembles the one pictured in post #6, or it is a mis-stamped frame. A photo here would really help.

Even though the factory never did, one could make a 2" bull barrel model 10-6 with a lot of effort but the simplest explanation is usually the best.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Occam's razor!

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

As mentioned above, I have never seen a 2” model 10-6. The 2” were 10-5 guns that I have seen. We have had similar discussions before with different barrel profiles on 2” k frames. It often comes up with stainless 64s but I believe we have determined all 2” 64s had the same barrel profile.