LGS had a J-Frame with no model on it?

[rwadley1]

Lots of good info here. There's only one thing missing...photos. Let's see it, already!

 

[Engine49guy]

I definitely will remove the stocks to compare numbers. So should I try a small magnet test to the medallions too?

Thanks for all the great info!

Nickel has a slight goldish hue when compared to steel , the plastic ones are Grey but don't have the metallic shine of steel.

There is a metal back plate inside the stock so if your magnet is strong it may be attracted to that.
When you get it home just compare the medallions to your Mod37 to see if they look different.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Nickel has a slight goldish hue when compared to steel , the plastic ones are Grey but don't have the metallic shine of steel.

There is a metal back plate inside the stock so if your magnet is strong it may be attracted to that.
When you get it home just compare the medallions to your Mod37 to see if they look different.

The variations in the medallions is an area I haven't studied. It's fascinating, and I appreciate learning the differences and the reasons behind the changes (the Korean War), especially in such a short period.

 

[murphydog]

As you describe it $630 sounds like a great price. The collective suggests you buy it!

 

[kscharlie]

When you get it home remove the stocks to first confirm they number to the gun,
Next closely examine the grip medallions, they are normally nickel coated brass but in the Korean war years it changed briefly to plastic then raw steel medallions then back to nickel coated brass around the wars end in 53.
My suspicion is yours will be raw steel which makes it even more interesting.
...

Mine shipped to the NYPD June 10, 1953, with steel medallions.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Can anyone tell me when 703490 was made. I'm guessing around 66-67?
Thanks
D

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Hi Dave,

You might get a better response by starting your own thread.

Two Model 37s in the database -- 696869 & 707864 -- shipped in March '69.

If yours is a Model 37 it might have shipped near then. If it's a Model 36, 36-1, 38 or 49, it still might be close.

 

[Dave Haynes]

It's a Mod 36 2". Marked as such.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Pics of the Baby Chief

Ok guys...thanks for all of your help. This is the first time I've ever added attachments to a post; usually don't publish my firearms, but since everyone was very helpful and informative here goes:

I know it's not a perfect one but I still think it's a nice find for the cost and since I didn't yet have a Baby Chief.

The picture of the markings on the frame is kinda hard to make out.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That's a dandy! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Green Frog]

Ok guys...thanks for all of your help. This is the first time I've ever added attachments to a post; usually don't publish my firearms, but since everyone was very helpful and informative here goes:

I know it's not a perfect one but I still think it's a nice find for the cost and since I didn't yet have a Baby Chief.

The picture of the markings on the frame is kinda hard to make out.

My second Baby Chiefs Special (I foolishly sold my first, an earlier one) is a near twin of yours in age and configuration, with just a little more wear. I’ve had it for well over ten years and bought it at a local gun show for a friends and family price from a vendor I’ve dealt with a lot… for $350 OTD. The inflation and increase in interest in older S&Ws over the last decade makes the price you got seem pretty reasonable. I hope you’ll enjoy yours as I have mine. It’s in my EDC rotation and was in my pocket yesterday.

Froggie

 

[firefighterjohn]

My second Baby Chiefs Special (I foolishly sold my first, an earlier one) is a near twin of yours in age and configuration, with just a little more wear. I’ve had it for well over ten years and bought it at a local gun show for a friends and family price from a vendor I’ve dealt with a lot… for $350 OTD. The inflation and increase in interest in older S&Ws over the last decade makes the price you got seem pretty reasonable. I hope you’ll enjoy yours as I have mine. It’s in my EDC rotation and was in my pocket yesterday.

Froggie

Thanks for sharing info on yours Froggie. I'm happy to have stumbled upon my first Baby Chief. This is now the OLDEST S&W revolver in my collection...and it's referred to as a Baby?! As you so recommended, I won't let it go! This one will definitely be passed down to my son and then my grandson(I'll make sure of it...LOL). That's cool that you pocket carry your Baby. What pocket holster do you use and what is your ammo of choice when carrying?

In the past I've shied away from .38 Special S&Ws in favor of .357s since you can shoot both calibers. Looking back, I know I've now passed over some cool looking J-Frames. But those days have passed! Great, my search scope widens.

 

[firefighterjohn]

That's a dandy! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks for all your guidance two-bit cowboy, glad you like it!

 

[DevilDog72]

every now and then even a blind squirrel finds an acorn...

S C O R E !!!

beautiful B.C. congrats

 

[murphydog]

Cute Baby.

The stampings in the yoke cutout are the assembly number and various other internal codes.

 

[Engine49guy]

Nice,
Hard to tell from pictures because of lighting etc but those medallions look like steel .
Congrats on aquiring a nice Baby Chief and neat piece of SW history.
When your gun was made the Air force was flying F86 Sabres and the Army was issuing M1 Garands.

 

[firefighterjohn]

every now and then even a blind squirrel finds an acorn...

S C O R E !!!

beautiful B.C. congrats

Thanks DevilDog72, yes I did get lucky finding this one since I was completely oblivious to the cool history on the Baby Chiefs!

 

[firefighterjohn]

Cute Baby.

The stampings in the yoke cutout are the assembly number and various other internal codes.

Thanks for the info murphydog, I've never owned a S&W revolver yet that didn't just have the Model designation. This is all a new learning experience.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Nice,
Hard to tell from pictures because of lighting etc but those medallions look like steel .
Congrats on aquiring a nice Baby Chief and neat piece of SW history.
When your gun was made the Air force was flying F86 Sabres and the Army was issuing M1 Garands.

Thanks Engine49guy, I thought they look like steel but I'm new to the Baby Chief series. Yes, I got lucky falling into this one.

Wow, that's a neat peiece of relevant history...plus it's 9 years OLDER than I am and the OLDEST S&W revolver in my collection to date.

I just saw one GB made in the same year that was sitting at $575 that was about as clean as mine but the stocks on it are considerably smaller, not original, and they are from an earlier model? I guess I didn't do too bad at $630 OTD by comparison.

 

[firefighterjohn]

When you get it home remove the stocks to first confirm they number to the gun,
Next closely examine the grip medallions, they are normally nickel coated brass but in the Korean war years it changed briefly to plastic then raw steel medallions then back to nickel coated brass around the wars end in 53.
My suspicion is yours will be raw steel which makes it even more interesting.
Btw when the stocks are off compare them to your Model 37 stocks u will c they are about 1/4 shorter in the heel.
Perhaps someone will post a link to the old thread where we detailed its evolution from service stock pre war latch to magnas then showing the several flat latch evolution.

I just stopped in to put some more $ down on it. I asked if they could remove the stocks to confirm they number to the gun...yep...another plus...they number exactly to the gun...sweet!

Hopefully just one more payment and I bring her home!

Thanks everyone!