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08-10-2022, 02:10 AM
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Grandfathers Gun
S&W Newbie here - need a little help dating and figuring out exactly what I have with a revolver that was passed down.
Serial number: 583378 on bottom of hand grip (no letters)
Hand ejector
Double/single action
Barrel: 2 inch
Yoke Stamp: Mod 36
Barrel right stamp: 38 S&W SPL
Original wood hand grips are diamond
Can see two screws on the frame
Fixed sights
Have really enjoyed reading this forum today! Super informative and has been fun to learn.
Thanks in advance for any help.
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08-10-2022, 04:55 AM
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Welcome aboard!
You have a Chief Special that probably shipped in 1967-68. They were offered with 2 or 3 barrels and with round or square butt grip frames. The 2 round butt version was the most common. Its built on the J frame and is still popular for concealed carry.
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08-10-2022, 05:42 AM
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Welcome from RI
Can you post a pic?
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I ain't no fortunate son
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08-10-2022, 06:15 AM
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Great first post and welcome from Central OH!
The Model 36 "Chief Special" design is timeless and one which is still in wide circulation in a variety of iterations to this day.
BTW - We like pictures!!!
I'll start as I have a M36 that "pretty close" to your S/N - shipped in 1968.
Last edited by MetalMan; 08-10-2022 at 06:17 AM.
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08-10-2022, 08:11 AM
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Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.
Since you said the revolver was passed down, please accept my condolences if you lost a loved one.
S&W delivered the first J-frame on October 27, 1950. Earlier that month S&W sent a marketing team to the 57th annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police to ask the Chiefs to name its new 5-shot J-frame revolver in .38 S&W Special caliber.
Passaic, New Jersey Chief of Police Edward Boyko was the first to submit the name Chiefs Special. S&W engraved Boyko's name on .38 Chiefs Special serial number 29 and shipped it to him on December 11, 1950.
Through the years even S&W has misspelled the original name of its iconic revolver, labeling boxes in the late '50s as Chief Special and more than a decade later Chief's Special. I stick to Boyko's -- and therefore S&W's -- original name.
S&W assigned model numbers to its revolvers in 1957, and the Chiefs Special added Model 36 to its original name.
Yours is from the initial serial number run which ended at 786544, according to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, in 1969.
Others that bracket your serial number in the database shipped in December 1967.
If you remove the grips you'll likely see a serial number stamped on the inside of the right wood grip. It should match the serial number on the butt. Also, you'll see the third frame screw beneath the top of the right grip.
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Bob
Last edited by two-bit cowboy; 08-10-2022 at 08:20 AM.
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08-10-2022, 10:31 PM
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You guys are awesome. Thank you so very much for the information. Ive learned so much from this forum this week and has been fun to research.
As requested, here are a few pics of this beauty.
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4thAlabama, bill-in-texas, jglsprings, John Patrick, MetalMan, Moo Moo, MSgt G, mtgianni, s&wchad, stansdds, toad67, Wiregrassguy |
08-11-2022, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breaux
You guys are awesome. Thank you so very much for the information. Ive learned so much from this forum this week and has been fun to research.
As requested, here are a few pics of this beauty.
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Very nice! Welcome from Texas!
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08-11-2022, 02:09 PM
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Welcome from Northern IL.
Very nice inheritance. Thanks for sharing.
S&W wheel guns are like potato chips: One is never enough.
Visit here often. These good people are always willing to enlighten, encourage and ENABLE.
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08-11-2022, 02:20 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Welcome from Western Massachusetts. Glad to see that you're happy here. You should consider joining the S&W Collector's Assoc (S&WCA). Between the member's area of this forum and the S&WCA Journal, you'll learn more than I can explain in this post. Good luck to you, someone gave you a very nice gift.
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08-11-2022, 03:07 PM
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Very nice. Welcome from NJ.
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08-11-2022, 04:49 PM
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"Grandfather's gun"......1967-68.
Right in the heart....
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08-11-2022, 06:39 PM
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I envy you, Breaux. To have a gun from grandfather is a special thing, indeed.
And, welcome!
-Bill
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08-11-2022, 07:45 PM
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Very Nice from Florida
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08-11-2022, 10:16 PM
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Welcome from Arkansas, Very Nice
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08-12-2022, 09:59 PM
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The model 36 is one of my favorite guns. I hope you get as much enjoyment shooting yours as I do my grandfather’s.
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08-13-2022, 07:53 AM
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Welcome to the S&W Forums! Yes, you have a nice example of the Model 36 aka, Chief's Special.
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08-13-2022, 03:56 PM
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I am 58 and been buying for almost 40 years
And when I started just thought the SS was so much cooler
Today I look at my blue stuff and others and am Grateful for each and every nice one
Beautiful heirloom
Hank
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