Model 50 or Model 36 Target?

[kitgunkid]

I was always under the impression that if a chiefs .38 had adjustable target sights it was a model 50 and would be stamped as such, Now I see a "Model 36 Target" on the Rock Island Auction site, The S&W model 50 is on my short list, or at least I thought. Maybe I really want the M-36 Target? Is there a difference, They claim there were only 1740 Model 36 Targets manufactured. I see S&W lists a model 50 ???

[murphydog]

There are pre-model stamped CSTs, model 50s and 36s, and some more modern models that probably also qualify:

Chief Special Target Research & Survivors List Redux

Please add yours to the list when you win the auction.

[BUFF]

Yep, there are Chiefs Special Targets model-stamped 36, 50 and not model stamped at all. Seems to be just whatever the model number guy at the factory was thinking at the time. What model number if any, won't make the guns any different. They will have whatever mechanical and finish features that S&W was using for their fixed sight Chiefs Specials at the time.

[Alk8944]

It would seem that those who make these decisions at S&W decided that the Model 50 designation was simply superfluous and deleted it. The only practical difference between the 50 and 36 Target was the number stamped in the yoke cut.

[g8rb8]

One more voice to confirm I've seen the adjustable target sight equipped J-frame marked as both a Model 36 and a Model 50.

To further muddy the waters on these variations, I recently handled a model 36-6 Target Variation, i.e. an adjustable target sight model 36 with a 3" barrel and full lug barrel and matte blue (glass bead) finish.

[jcelect]

The model 50s were produced from 1973-1977 and I believe there were 1132 guns made in that time period and in 1978 they produced another 37 mod 50s between #933Jxx - 936Jxx In 1975 they produced 213 36-1 guns(the -1 means 3" heavy barrel models with the target sights). As mentioned above, in 1989 they produced 615 36-6 models with full underlug barrels and bead blasted blued finished. We now se many variations of the model 60s with adjustable sights! They are Chief's Specials also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jcelect