Trying to Identify Model and Year

[hbreidenfeld]

I am trying to identify what model and year this gun is. It was my fathers carry pistol while in the FBI and has a lot of sentimental value.

 

[DWalt]

It's an early S&W Chief's Special (which later became the Model 36) which shipped around mid-year 1952. It's of the variety known to collectors as a "Baby Chief."

 

[Alk8944]

It is a third year "Chief's Special". SN dates it to ca. mid 1952. The model was introduced in 1950 at SN 1.

 

[gkitch]

Beautiful example sporting original grips and a Pachmeyr grip adapter (fills the hand and allows the revolver to handle much better). Classic indeed.

 

[hbreidenfeld]

Thank you for your help. The gun just sits in my gun case along with my fathers others. Was considering using this as my CCW.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Thank you for your help. The gun just sits in my gun case along with my fathers others. Was considering using this as my CCW.

I do NOT recommend carrying - its a collectible / sought after model, plus it has the sentimental value. Later model 36s are overall better for carry (redesigned trigger guard) so I would say buy one of those later 36s for carry duty or carry something else but preserve this fine "baby chief" the best you can!

 

[DWalt]

To which I say "Why not carry it?" There may be other and possibly better choices, but why not use something with which you have a strong personal attachment? The only downside I can see to carrying it is in the event you are ever involved in a shooting incident, it may well be taken by the Police, and it may be difficult and complicated to get it back, depending upon the location and circumstances.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Dwalt,

Looks like you accidentally added more support to my opinion! Police confiscation - certainly a precarious situation for a family heirloom!

 

[JP@AK]

I'm curious. I cannot read the markings on your grip adapter. Does it actually say Pachmayr on it?
It looks suspiciously like an earlier one to me. These were originally made by Mershon, of Glendale, California, and called the "Sure Grip Adapter." Mershon was later bought out by Pachmayr (I believe in the early 1950s, but I'm not certain of that).

 

[JP@AK]

And hey! Pardon me for failing to do this before:

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Absalom]

I'm curious. I cannot read the markings on your grip adapter. Does it actually say Pachmayr on it?
It looks suspiciously like an earlier one to me. These were originally made by Mershon, of Glendale, California, and called the "Sure Grip Adapter." Mershon was later bought out by Pachmayr (I believe in the early 1950s, but I'm not certain of that).

Jack.

I should just keep my mouth shut until the OP posts the answer, but I think it is a Pachmayr; I have Pachmayrs and Mershons, including for the Model 36, and the writing on Mershons extends all the way down the side; on this one, even though I can't decipher it upon enlarging, the pattern of the writing fits the Pachmayrs. That would mean it was a later addition. I don't think Pachmayr made these before they took over Mershon in 1958 or so.
We'll see. I'm ready to be shot down by the OP .

P.S.: Mershon for Mod. 36 below. Sorry, don't have pic of Pach handy.

 

[hbreidenfeld]

Attaching picture of grip extender.

 

[hbreidenfeld]

This is my father getting recognition for shooting a "Possible". Doubt he used this gun for that though.

 

[hbreidenfeld]

Here are two other S&W Revolvers that were my Dad's. They are newer models. One is a 38 Special, the other is a 22. The 38 was damaged in a severe car accident, only the grip.

 

[hbreidenfeld]

Here is the other.

 

[JP@AK]

Wow. A Baby Chief, a .22 Combat Masterpiece (Model 18) and a .38 Combat Masterpiece (Model 15-2). Your dad had great taste in guns!!!
I trust you will enjoy all of them. Personally, I like the Model 15-2 the best of the three, but they are all very nice.

 

[JP@AK]

Attaching picture of grip extender.

Thank you. So it is a later one, made by Pachmayr.

And thanks to Absalom for giving me the approximate year of the Pachmayr buyout of Mershon.

 

[JP@AK]

Mershon for Mod. 36 below.

Interesting!
I suspect the one shown in your example is earlier than those in my possession.
On mine, the writing is on the other side and reads from the bottom up. Also, the address is given as Glendale, Calif. rather than L.A. 15. Calif. That address uses the old "zone" designation that I remember from my boyhood in SoCal. Glendale incorporated as a city in 1906, so that cannot be the reason for the change.
Anyway, now I've found another aspect of S&W collecting to pique my interest!