36 3" Square butt

[4dguns]

Guys,
I count myself as a serious collector, but I have one that has me stumped. A no dash 36, square butt, PINNED, 3" non-heavy barrel, Chiefs Special. Trouble is the serial number. Pinned stopped in '82. Serial is 8J9450, seems to me this is after 82. This is a pinned gun, any help on the manufacture date? I have checked with my SCOSM.
Thanks
4dguns

 

[linde]

Guys,
I count myself as a serious collector, but I have one that has me stumped. A no dash 36, square butt, PINNED, 3" non-heavy barrel, Chiefs Special. Trouble is the serial number. Pinned stopped in '82. Serial is 8J9450, seems to me this is after 82. This is a pinned gun, any help on the manufacture date? I have checked with my SCOSM.
Thanks
4dguns

The serial number 8J9450 is 1971 . . . consistent with being pinned. The '71-'72 "floating J" period is admittedly confusing.

Russ

 

[4dguns]

Thanks Russ! I know nothing about a "floating J". A 71 to 72 production period is consistent with the gun. Guess I need to go back to the learning board!
Scott
4dguns

 

[linde]

Thanks Russ! I know nothing about a "floating J". A 71 to 72 production period is consistent with the gun. Guess I need to go back to the learning board!
Scott
4dguns

Don't beat yourself up too much . . . there is an error on pg. 399 in the SCSW for 1971-1972 J-frame serial numbers. It should read 1J1 - 999J99 . . . the letter J plus up to five digits. In 1982 the J started "floating" again only this time with the letter J plus six (and only six) numerical digits.

Welcome to the confusing world of S&W collecting!

Russ

 

[4dguns]

I would like to think I am above average in the Smith world. I guess when you relax, you get passed by. Thanks for the heads up!!