Baby Chiefs -- 3" -- thought I'd never see one -- sn update!

[two-bit cowboy]

A few nights ago I was conducting my usual and periodic search on GB for Chiefs. I saw this title, "Smith & Wesson model 36 38S&W spl" with a not-too-good photo that didn't quite jibe so I opened the auction to take a look.

Sure enough: small trigger guard so not a Model 36. But wait, that's a 3" barrel. Yup. Serrated ramp front sight. Quite a bit of surface rust. An inscription on the side plate. Worn grips. Broken hammer spur. No mention of serial number or matching numbers. Supica & Nahas say the 3" was a square butt, but the photo in their book is a round butt, and I can't tell for sure from the seller's photos (I think it's a round butt). (I've learned on the lower-priced auctions not to ask questions 'cause the sellers think if somebody knows enough to ask that question it must be important so they add the info to their description on the auction, and then it might get expensive.)

Today within 15 minutes of the auction's end I set my bid at $250. The 15-minute timer reset a few times. At the bell I had it for $238 + $25.

Either I have a not-in-very-good-shape authentic 3" Baby or a relatively inexpensive (for a Baby) project gun. I normally don't like inscribed guns, but this one sort of intrigues me. Looks like it might have been a Christmas present (1952 or 1953) for a police (maybe military) Lieutenant from his or her Mom. I'll have to get it in hand and cleaned up to know for sure what it says -- my photo software isn't good enough to divulge the whole inscription.

Cheers,

 

[Zipdog]

The inscription says " Your step of faith got you a good deal."

 

[Davinman]

very cool find you got there, hoping to hear more about it once you have the gun in hand.

 

[crsides]

Give that thing a 3 day soak in Kroil and you will be surprised how nice it will clean up. Anything remaining can be lightly scrubbed with Chore Boy copper scouring pad, $0.99 at your friendly grocer. Make sure it is 100% pure copper.

Charlie

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks Charlie. Will do.

I have a supply of bronze wool. Will that work, too?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

very cool find you got there, hoping to hear more about it once you have the gun in hand.

Thanks!

I'll certainly let you all know what I've got after i get it cleaned up as Charlie suggested.

 

[jsfricks]

Looks like it was presented to a Lt Kasidy? from ??? 1#6 Precient 12/21/53, probably a present to a police Lt from his men.
Yes, bronze wool is perfect!

 

[Hondo44]

Nice catch. A rd butt.

If the serial # on the barrel matches and there's no S&W rework date on the grip frame, that's a rare find!

I have only heard of and one Baby Chiefs 3" with sq butt.


Thiis is the only 3 inch gun in the Baby chief I have seen:

Photo by Jim Fisher

 

[Hondo44]

Nice catch. A rd butt.

If the serial # on the barrel matches and there's no S&W rework date on the grip frame, that's a rare find!

I have only heard of and seen one Baby Chiefs with sq butt, although it's a 2".


I've only seen one other 3 inch gun in the Baby Chiefs; also a rd butt #42865 1953-54:

Photo by Jim Fisher

Photo by Jim Fisher

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Looks like it was presented to a Lt Kasidy? from ??? 1#6 Precient 12/21/53, probably a present to a police Lt from his men.
Yes, bronze wool is perfect!

Thanks. That's more than I got out of it. (Precinct?)

Thanks for the confirmation on the bronze wool, too.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Nice catch. A rd butt.

If the serial # on the barrel matches and there's no S&W rework date on the grip frame, that's a rare find!

I've only seen one other 3 inch gun in the Baby chief; also a rd butt.

Oh, that's gorgeous, Jim. Thanks for sharing it.

Yeah, this one's authenticity sure hinges on the sn on the barrel and no rework date. I'm sure hopeful, but we'll see. If it's all correct, even in its condition, I'll consider it quite a conversation piece in my Chiefs collection.

 

[bmg60]

Hi
I think the book is wrong I have a blue 3 inch round butt and a nickel 3 inch round butt. The Square butt I have is Nickel and its a 2 inch From what I have reseached they were only 2 Square butts made in two inch one in Nickel the one I have and a friend of mine has the blued one
It was shipped to a police officer in new york

You did good
Jim

 

[Hondo44]

Bob, sending you a PM for a hammer.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Hi....

You did good
Jim

Thanks Jim. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

As to your last bit -- man, I sure hope so. We'll see.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Bob, sending you a PM for a hammer.

Thanks very much, Jim. Your support is always notable. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[FifthWheel]

Congrats! Looking forward to the after pics. That may clean up nicely.

 

[Skeetr57]

Hondo: I know that early Chief Special hammers will not interchange with later ones, but I don't recall seeing the date or SN of the change from the ball and socket to the fork and pin mainspring. Do you have that information?
Tom

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Skeetr57:

I'm sure Jim will correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall the change happened about the time the company changed all its small frame revolvers (I-frames) to the J-frame (early 1960s?).

 

[sigp220.45]

I love stories like this. The rust will clean up and the inscription is very cool. Thanks for posting this, and I'm looking forward to seeing more pics when you have it in hand.

 

[blue70chevelle]

I'd be willing to bet that was giving to an NYPD officer. I don't know any other police agency in the U.S. that has 106 precincts, especially not in the 50's when police depts were mostly still small and starting out.