The Really Old Chief's Special Thread

[montoya32]

Can anyone give me an idea of what this might be worth? I have someone willing to sell it to me and we are trying to figure out a fair price. Gun is a '54 and looks to be in great shape, maybe 90%-95%.

 

[ar15ed]

if it is as nice as it looks in the pics, and has its original finish, i would think it would easily bring 500.00, probably more.
neat gun!

 

[HK24]

There was a guy walking arounf OGCA on Saturday with a very early Chief. It was serial numbered in the 5xx range. He had a red box but not original. He offered to sell it to a dealer for $2400. The gun was in excellent condition but I think he was a little high.

I have one with the half moon front sight in the 24xx range that I got for $300.

Lynn

 

[oldcorps76]

Collector prices

Hell, take a look at the 'evolution' of prices on Gunbroker since the 'crash.' My weathervane, 2nd Gen Colt SAA's, have dropped precipitously. Before, one that fell in a cement mixer brought two bills. Now, I have seen nice ones with a little wear go begging for $1,200. Unless it's a really NIB specimen - with the correct box, because the real collectors always seem to have $$ for the hole in their collection - or you luck into someone who wants what you have, count on waiting for awhile to sell. Your little Chief, if that is original finish and a matching box, should be one of the pieces that sells. It's a good time in history if you have disposable $$.

 

[jrd1976]

Baby Chief saved from becoming scrap iron

About 4 months ago I acquired a Baby Chief #15XXX (I frame grip, non-ramped flat latch, serrated ramp sight, round trigger guard, 5 screw), with the hammer stud broken, hammer and other parts missing. I got the stud repaired and the parts replaced and now I have a fine old revolver at a reasonable price for what I have in it.

Except for the ramp sight, it looks like the above posted by KSCowboy.

Sometimes project guns do make you proud.

 

[Hondo44]

Glad you were able to bring an old classic back to life. That's always very satisfying.

 

[Engine49guy]

Top is a short grip Baby chief in 38 special SN# 3821x,
Below is a Terrier in .38 S&W SN# 5807x

 

[EMTCampbell]

1955 I think, serial #72XXX

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af324/stonesoup1977/1955 S and W Chiefs Special/CIMG3392.jpg

 

[EMTCampbell]

 

[Oyeboteb]

Moderately early Model 36, modified many years ago for the Trouser Pocket, though it also acquired a Shoulder Holster or three, an Ankle Holster ( Straps-n-Buckle era) and an IWB Holster.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hey Oyeboteb;

What about that ribbed barrel and front sight arrangement? That's a bit different. What serial number ranges does that little revolver fall under.

 

[crsides]

Posted this recently in another tread but it needed a seat at this table. 4 digit 77xx. I'm guessing first yr 1950, any help on date ? Smooth ramp sight.

Charlie

 

[Mark4]

Here's another one not sure of date s/n318XXX

 

[Hondo44]

Posted this recently in another tread but it needed a seat at this table. 4 digit 77xx. I'm guessing first yr 1950, any help on date ?

Charlie

Based on your serial #, it just made it into 1952. The front site makes it later than 1950 1st year also. But it's a Baby J.

 

[Oyeboteb]

Hey Oyeboteb;

What about that ribbed barrel and front sight arrangement? That's a bit different. What serial number ranges does that little revolver fall under.

It was originally a Square Butt, ramped Front Sight.

Ramp Sight was filed down to what you see in the image.


Serial No. 4876xx.


I never have known quite when it was made, but, had been told by the person I had bought it from, that it dated to the early 1960s.

Served me as a daily Carry for 20 years.

 

[zzsdx2]

How do you tell an I frame from a J frame -- I have a early cheif, small trigger guard, flat latch, ser 85## trying to know as much about it as I can?

 

[Hondo44]

How do you tell an I frame from a J frame -- I have a early cheif, small trigger guard, flat latch, ser 85## trying to know as much about it as I can?

I frames are for the 22/32, .32 and 38 S&W cartridge and have the shorter cylinder/frame window used before the war up until 1961 when they were also made on the 1/8" longer J frame.

The difference: Chiefs Specials are for the 38 Special and are J frames with longer cylinder and frame window 1st made in 1950. Early Chief's Special J frames, 1950 thru about 1952 were called Baby J frames by collectors because they had the smaller trigger guard and 1/8" shorter grip frame which was the same size as the I Frames of the period. About 1953, all J and I frames were updated with the current and more familiar larger, egg shaped trigger guard and longer rd butt grip frame and current style square butt.

 

[Researcher1]

I picked up a chief's special tonight with a low 300XX serial number. Can someone please tell me when this gun was made. Thank you. It has a flat latch and serrated front ramp. Everything is matching on it and it is in very good shape. I kinda bought it on the spur of the moment not really knowing much about it except it was probably relatively old with the serial number. The gun is in very good shape other than a little blueing wear on the cylinder and one grip has a slight nick in it. I got it for $195. How did I do?

 

[murphydog]

I picked up a chief's special tonight with a low 300XX serial number. Can someone please tell me when this gun was made. Thank you. It has a flat latch and serrated front ramp. Everything is matching on it and it is in very good shape. I will try to get some pictures up later.

You're in luck. The standard SN reference has a lot of holes in the J frame listings, but 28916 was shipped in 1953 so that would probably be its year too.

 

[majake]

Inherited Chief's Special

I got this from my grandfather who was a sherriff's deputy. It says airweight on the barrel and the ser# is 452xx. Im suspecting it's pretty old. Is it safe to shoot?