Dating the Model 36 chiefs special

[blackpowder]

Hi all around,

How can I find out when my M36 chiefs special left the factory. I picked this up at a gun show and it had european proof marks with a 1976 date on the barrel and frame as well as on the cylinder. This would indicate when it was tested and released for sale by the government authority but the actual date of manufacture may be much earlier.

Thanks for some info!

 

[fyimo]

You post the serial number on the butt of the revolver with two xx's in the last two positions of the serial number and someone up here will tell you the year of manufacture.

 

[blackpowder]

wow, thanks ! the serial # is J4684XX

 

[Sonny Crocket]

That serial number range is '76-'77.

 

[nrausa]

M-36

How about this one: J2275XX Purcased 10/74.
Thank you.

Stan

 

[Jeff45]

J100000 - J250000 would be from 1973 - 1974.

 

[DOUBLESHOT]

How about 1852xx - Thanks.

 

[mbliss57]

Between 1958 and 1961. I would guess 1959 but you would have to letter it to be sure.
And how about some pics? We love pics.

 

[DOUBLESHOT]

Between 1958 and 1961. I would guess 1959 but you would have to letter it to be sure.
And how about some pics? We love pics.

There is no letter before the serial number. I don't have time to take a decent picture right now but it is nickeled. I do have the original wood grips (square butt J frame) but I keep combat Pachmyers on it because it hurts to shoot with the wood grips. This gun is a model 36 - no dash.

 

[harryb]

M36 Date

I just got a pawn shop beauty yesterday--Serial No. 1J098xx. When was it "born"? Thanks.
Actually, it might be unfired--the slight turn ring could be just handling, dry firing, etc. It's really tight on lockup.
MBliss--Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[mbliss57]

1982 according to SWSC
Enjoy! Pics?

 

[bellevance]

There is no letter before the serial number. I don't have time to take a decent picture right now but it is nickeled. I do have the original wood grips (square butt J frame) but I keep combat Pachmyers on it because it hurts to shoot with the wood grips. This gun is a model 36 - no dash.

By "letter" mbliss means you would have to write to Smith & Wesson to ask Roy Jinks to send you a letter that would describe the revolver and give you the date when it left the factory. (There is a fee for this service.)

 

[powerplantpete]

Just picked up a Model 36 (no dash) with a three inch barrel in almost unused condition. The serial number is 5949XX. What would have been its year of manufacture. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[billspin]

how about a date for this number 408xx

 

[powerplantpete]

May be able to help some other inquiries. I actually got to speak to Roy Jinks yesterday and found out that my Model 36 (no dash) 3" noted above with serial no. 5949XX shipped from the factory in February, 1968. These may help others approximate the manufacture date of their guns.

 

[billspin]

Can anyone provide a manufacture date for the serial number 408xx. Thanks in advance for this information.

 

[rhunker]

How about 0606XX?

 

[LEADNUTS]

model 36 nice no dash specimen

Been doing some shuffling in my collection of S&W. A fellow I traded with some just sold me his model 36 blue steel and after cleaning the gun properly I was just guessing at date of birth....

• s/n - 7203xx

I am guessing late 60's early 70's, but I am sure some of you experts will be able to help. I'll try and post a picture. This old fellow that sold it to me for $400 is an old cowboy in AZ. I am getting old too. not up to speed on pics. gun looks deep blue when in hand, somehow my cheap phone camera hosed it up. It's a nice compliment to the mint in box 10-7 I scored this weekend off a retired police detective LT. Just need my old model 19 to round out the snubbie set. Got feelers out in AZ. Mine was a 1982 model 19 and that is one of my guns I wish I had back. heavy but it never punished my hands in .357

 

[bandleader]

How about 1399XX?

 

[hotrod150]

Assuming s/n's are as shown (no "j" included), SCSW indicates:
408xx 1953-54
0606xx (leading off with a zero? 606xx would be 1955-56)
7203xx 1968-69
1399xx 1957-62