Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-03-2022, 02:10 AM
Bloodhound689 Bloodhound689 is offline
Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Liked 20 Times in 5 Posts
Default Model 36 Questions

Hello all. First post for a new member. I recently picked up this 36 in what I thought was pretty poor shape. Carbon buildup showed it had not been cleaned in a decade or two, bent ejector rod, cylinder wouldn't spin freely, trigger pull was horrible. No shine whatsoever.

Spent 6-7 hours cleaning and polishing and straightened the ejector rod and now it looks like this. I am pretty happy with it. I just ordered a used hammer to replace the bobbed hammer. The goal is to get it back to factory.

I am fairly new to S&W wheelguns so lots of questions. I've owned a few for a while but it is now becoming more of an obsession.

Serial number on this is J17994 and from what I have read posted here is that it is a 1969 or early 1970 year

1. Did this year model ever come bobbed from the factory?

2. Does anyone have a picture of the stock grips that would have come on it (Magna)

3. Can you identify roughly what year or where the grips that are currently installed came from.

Thank you and I look forward to learning lots and contributing where I can
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg 77A71A0E-344A-477A-B761-8DD192EBC95F.jpeg (231.6 KB, 128 views)
File Type: jpg 520B7E6B-756F-46EF-938B-29560E28C5C3.jpg (137.5 KB, 115 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 9 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 08-03-2022, 06:15 AM
s&wchad's Avatar
s&wchad s&wchad is offline
Moderator
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,688
Likes: 12,673
Liked 33,605 Times in 7,845 Posts
Default

Welcome aboard!

1970 sounds about right. The bobbed hammer was almost certainly done by a previous owner and not the factory.

It would have come with Magna stocks like the ones shown below, depending on whether your gun has a round or square butt grip frame. They’d have blue circle inserts (washers) retaining the medallions and the right panel would have had the numeric part of the serial number stamped on the back.

Photos swiped off the net:




The stocks on your gun are factory J frame target stocks, but they weren’t supplied on the Chief Special. They were supplied on other models and were offered as an aftermarket accessory. They have an enclosed backstrap, so they can be used on round or square butt grip frames. If those have blue washers on the back, they’re about 1973 or earlier. S&W used blued washers on blued/nickel guns and stainless (silver colored) washers on stainless guns until ‘73, when they standardized on stainless.
__________________
"I also cook."
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-03-2022, 06:59 AM
raljr1 raljr1 is offline
SWCA Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Northeast FL
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 7,411
Liked 15,075 Times in 3,596 Posts
Default

Nice gun. I like those grips on my J frames, but they do look a little out of place on the snub, in my opinion. Should not be hard to find grips for this, there are lots available. My preference on these J frames is original S&W boot grips, if you can find them.
__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Last edited by raljr1; 08-03-2022 at 07:01 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 08-03-2022, 07:27 AM
Retired W4's Avatar
Retired W4 Retired W4 is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 8,802
Likes: 15,784
Liked 19,361 Times in 4,352 Posts
Default

Very good restoration on that 36, and welcome to the forum. Unfortunately you won't get any help with the obsession here, just a lot of enablers.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-03-2022, 10:02 AM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 17,362
Liked 18,218 Times in 5,014 Posts
Default

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice work on the cleanup. Do you have "before" photos? We like to see how you got from where you were to where you are.

Please do let us know whether your Chiefs Special has a round or square butt.

Based on others in the database, S&W likely shipped yours in December 1969 or January 1970. The company didn't assemble or ship in serial number order.

Here are a couple shots of square and round butt magna grips on '71 and '72 Chiefs. Yours would have been the same.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg New South Wales.jpg (99.1 KB, 46 views)
File Type: jpg March '72 - L.jpg (107.8 KB, 48 views)
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 08-03-2022, 10:42 AM
Bloodhound689 Bloodhound689 is offline
Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Liked 20 Times in 5 Posts
Default

S7W Chad - I was 99% Sure those were the ones to order but I didn't know about the blue disc. I am glad I asked. Thank you

RALJR1 - I do like those grips but I want to turn this one back to original. I do agree that the grips look out of place but they feel pretty good in your hand. I will hold onto them and gladly use them on another gun.

Retired W4 - I am looking forward to it. I will say I am just as obsessed with Ruger. In fact my whole collection is turning into wheel guns pretty quick.

two-bit cowboy - Unfortunately did not take any pictures. Kicking myself for that one. It does have a round butt

Appreciate all your responses. I will post another picture when I get the hammer swapped and new grips put on.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 08-03-2022, 10:57 AM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 17,362
Liked 18,218 Times in 5,014 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bloodhound689 View Post
Unfortunately did not take any pictures. Kicking myself for that one. It does have a round butt.
Oh, don't beat yourself up. Many of us have done that at least once.

Thanks for that tidbit. Yes, please do keep us informed as you make changes.
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-03-2022, 12:44 PM
cmansguns's Avatar
cmansguns cmansguns is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hanover, Virginia
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 3,164
Liked 5,636 Times in 1,398 Posts
Default Welcome from Virginia

Welcome from Virginia. You sure have polished that 36 up sweet!
Have you checked under the grip (left panel) for a frame stamp N, and on the cylinder for the N. That sure looks like factory nickel.

My blued Model 36 no-dash, with box and docs shows the factory grips and was a January 1967 shipment per Dr. Roy Jinks.

My nickel finish Model 36-1 shipped in 1982 with s/n J 938523, and its original factory Magna grips are numbered to the gun so your grips may be numbered to some gun too.

Your grips look like target grips for a Model 34-1 of the mid 70's era.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg M 34-1a.jpg (29.4 KB, 24 views)
File Type: jpg M 36-B.jpg (88.5 KB, 22 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0553.jpg (48.8 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0561.jpg (87.7 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0560.jpg (108.6 KB, 21 views)
__________________
Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 08-03-2022, 01:25 PM
Bloodhound689 Bloodhound689 is offline
Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Liked 20 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Thanks All

There are four N's stamped that I could find. One on the left side frame,
one on the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod and one on the yoke and one on the cylinder hidden behind the star

My grips do have blue circle inserts but no serial number. Does that mean they are pre-73?
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #10  
Old 08-03-2022, 02:36 PM
Retired W4's Avatar
Retired W4 Retired W4 is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 8,802
Likes: 15,784
Liked 19,361 Times in 4,352 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bloodhound689 View Post
Thanks All

There are four N's stamped that I could find. One on the left side frame,
one on the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod and one on the yoke and one on the cylinder hidden behind the star

My grips do have blue circle inserts but no serial number. Does that mean they are pre-73?
Grips likely bought from S&W back when as replacements.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 08-03-2022, 05:21 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

Very Nice!!

We see a lot of bobbed hammers, most not factory. However yours has the contour matching those I've seen that were documented as original factory bobbed hammers. Although there's no chance it was original to that gun. The factory bobbed hammer models are dubbed DA (double action) by the factory and are all from 1989; Product code 101520 for a 2" barrel and 101522 for the 3". But that's not to say it isn't a factory bobbed hammer added later. Does the area where the spur would be still have the factory case hardened colors?

J FRAME TARGET STOCKS were almost always sold aftermarket. Target grips for all frames need no fitting and therefore will not have serial #s, even if they were ordered with the gun.

The earlier J frame target stocks of the two styles have the shallow stock extraction relief cut and usually the small 3-48 NF screw, which had a long transition period to the 5-44 NF. Notwithstanding the SS medallion washers. Both styles were produced during a long transition period of the washers from blue and black steel 1967 to 1980, to SS 1970 to about 1982. Small screws will usually correspond to Blue washers and large screws to SS washers.

As indicated by the lack of the diamond around the screw escutcheons, they were not introduced until ~1969
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 08-03-2022, 08:01 PM
Bloodhound689 Bloodhound689 is offline
Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Liked 20 Times in 5 Posts
Default

No the color is definitely different on the entire back side of the hammer. almost like someone had attempted to polish it. There are a couple blue spots where the spur was.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-03-2022, 10:25 PM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 17,362
Liked 18,218 Times in 5,014 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmansguns View Post
My nickel finish Model 36-1 shipped in 1982 with s/n J 938523, and its original factory Magna grips are numbered to the gun....
That's huge, Charlie.

Your Chiefs Special just took the top spot in my database in that serial number range for having matching serial numbered magna grips. Thanks for sharing that tidbit.
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 08-03-2022, 10:28 PM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is offline
US Veteran
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 17,362
Liked 18,218 Times in 5,014 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bloodhound689 View Post
There are four N's stamped that I could find. One on the left side frame, one on the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod and one on the yoke and one on the cylinder hidden behind the star....
Those are the two places I've seen as a minimum on nickel Chiefs since my earliest Chiefs Special, a Baby Chiefs that shipped in September 1952.
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-07-2022, 10:25 AM
Bloodhound689 Bloodhound689 is offline
Member
Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions Model 36 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Liked 20 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Quick update on this 36. Found a hammer on eBay which slid right in. I am pretty happy with it.

Took my daughter with me to the range yesterday and found that this is her new favorite gun. Coincidentally I found a like new 1981 36 in blue with the original (serialized) grips in which she didn't like so I guess the target grips will be kept on the Nickel model.

I have never seen a better grin on her face after pulling a trigger. I will more than likely be handing this one down to her.

Last edited by Bloodhound689; 08-07-2022 at 10:28 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Model 27 Blue no dash target model questions Oil Field Trash S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 8 09-12-2021 07:36 PM
S&W model 629 Ported 3" 150th Anniversary Model Questions? SW MP15 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 0 11-18-2015 03:52 PM
Engraved 1st Model Russian (Old, Old Model) Questions DesmoEd S&W Antiques 23 12-18-2013 08:58 PM
Questions about shootability of Model 642 vs. Bobbed Model 60... MG-70 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 9 01-22-2011 07:53 PM
model 6450 and model 4516 questions xarmtdawg Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 10 09-22-2008 08:11 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:46 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)