Re: S&W Revolver ID request

[MysteryRPh]

Re: S&W Revolver ID request

Good evening, and thank you for accepting me into the Forum. My father had a thirty-two year career in law enforcement (1950-1982). I have a J frame S&W revolver that belonged to my father, that I respectfully request your help in identifying.
The revolver, with a blued finish, is a hand ejector, .38 spl, with a 2” snub nose barrel, and fixed sights. The revolver has three screws, one of which is hidden under its factory original checkered diamond wood grips. There is no trigger guard screw. There is no model number on the yoke, only an assembly number. The serial number of the revolver is 1117xx.
I suspect my Dad’s J frame revolver is a pre-1957 Chief’s Special. I would sincerely appreciate it if a member of the forum would confirm the model/identity and year of manufacture/shipping, if possible, of my Dad’s J frame. Thank you for your time and attention to my inquiry!

 

[MrG5122]

That is really nice.

 

[Goony]

Welcome to the forum.

You've identified your father's revolver correctly. a Chiefs Special that dates to 1956.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the S&W Forum, MysteryRPh.

So nice that you have your dad's revolver; and in pretty darn good shape too!

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the Forum. The Chiefs Special is very popular here, and it appears that you have a nice one with strong ties to your family. Looking forward to your participation.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! That is a very nice Chief's Special, and as JH1951 says, they're very popular with Forum members. You have what I believe is called a "flat latch", named for the flat cylinder release on the left side of the frame. The checkered diamond stocks are most likely original, and there may be matching s/n's stamped on the inside of the stocks. Do you happen to have any of your father's accessories for the revolver- box, holster, etc.? You have a very fine family heirloom, and I hope that you take it out to the range and check it out. Enjoy!

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum and congrats for such a classic heirloom!

It’s actually not a Chief’s Spl. It’s a Chiefs Spl, plural but not possessive.

Enjoy!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice looking Chiefs Special.

It's more likely your Chiefs Special shipped in the spring or summer
of 1958, not long before S&W began stamping the model number
on the frame in the yoke cut. The database doesn't show the ship
dates for any in the 111xxx serial range, but there are a fair few
with 110xxx and 112xxx serial numbers that shipped in 1958.

S&W neither produced nor shipped guns in serial number order
so the best way to know for sure when one shipped is to order a
historical letter that will provide both the ship date and to whom
it shipped.

The earliest known 2" Chiefs Special stamped "MOD-36" is serial
number 126017, and it shipped in September 1958.

 

[Frailer]

Welcome, and kudos to you for providing an detailed description and clear photos.

Great revolver, BTW.

 

[MysteryRPh]

Thank you!

 

[MysteryRPh]

Welcome to the Forum! That is a very nice Chief's Special, and as JH1951 says, they're very popular with Forum members. You have what I believe is called a "flat latch", named for the flat cylinder release on the left side of the frame. The checkered diamond stocks are most likely original, and there may be matching s/n's stamped on the inside of the stocks. Do you happen to have any of your father's accessories for the revolver- box, holster, etc.? You have a very fine family heirloom, and I hope that you take it out to the range and check it out. Enjoy!

Thank you for your kind comments. I do not have the box for Dad's Chiefs Special, although I do have his holster, made by Hunter. I also inherited Dad's S & W K 38 Combat Masterpiece, Model 15-3. The story I recall, is that my father's long time Detective Bureau partner attended the S & W gunsmithing school. It is my understanding that to complete the course and receive his certification, the Detective had to manufacture a firearm. He made the Model 15-3, with a 2" barrel, in nickel, with diamond checkered wood grips. Upon his return home, he gifted the revolver to my father in recognition of their longstanding friendship and partnership. My father carried the Model 15 as his primary service revolver until his retirement. I have the original box, paperwork, and Dad's Hunter holster for the Model 15. I treasure it. When I set about to work on the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, Pistol Qualification, I purposely used Dad's Model 15 to pay homage to my father and his 32 year career as a police officer. I was able to finish out the MQP Pistol Course of Fire as Distinguished Expert (equivalent to an NRA Sharpshooter Classification) I know Dad, who introduced me to the shooting sports, was smiling, in Heaven

 

[MysteryRPh]

Welcome to the forum and congrats for such a classic heirloom!

It’s actually not a Chief’s Spl. It’s a Chiefs Spl, plural but not possessive.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the clarification! I appreciate it!

 

[MysteryRPh]

Welcome to the Forum. The Chiefs Special is very popular here, and it appears that you have a nice one with strong ties to your family. Looking forward to your participation.

Thank you! I have two S & W revolvers of my Dad's.. the Chiefs Special and a K 38 Combat Masterpiece Model 15-3. I also have a Model 37 Airweight, that was my mother's.

 

[MysteryRPh]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice looking Chiefs Special.

It's more likely your Chiefs Special shipped in the spring or summer
of 1958, not long before S&W began stamping the model number
on the frame in the yoke cut. The database doesn't show the ship
dates for any in the 111xxx serial range, but there are a fair few
with 110xxx and 112xxx serial numbers that shipped in 1958.

S&W neither produced nor shipped guns in serial number order
so the best way to know for sure when one shipped is to order a
historical letter that will provide both the ship date and to whom
it shipped.

The earliest known 2" Chiefs Special stamped "MOD-36" is serial
number 126017, and it shipped in September 1958.

Thank you for the information! I sincerely appreciate it!

 

[MysteryRPh]

Welcome to the forum.

You've identified your father's revolver correctly. a Chiefs Special that dates to 1956.

Thank you for the confirmation! I sincerely appreciate your time.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I also have a Model 37 Airweight, that was my mother's.

Your Mom's Airweight Model 37 is also a Chiefs Special. If you're
interested, with the first three or four digits of its serial number
the database could also offer insight to when S&W shipped it.

 

[Goony]

It's more likely your Chiefs Special shipped in the spring or summer
of 1958, not long before S&W began stamping the model number
on the frame in the yoke cut. The database doesn't show the ship
dates for any in the 111xxx serial range, but there are a fair few
with 110xxx and 112xxx serial numbers that shipped in 1958.

I'd originally said 1956, but from doing some additional research, I stand corrected, I concur early 1958 does seem most likely. 105765 shipped in December 1957, 107193 in November 1957, while 113172 shipped in February 1958.