Pre-Model 36?

[ElPatron]

Can anyone tell me the model of this gun?

I am thinking it is a Pre-Model 36, Chiefs Special, nickel Plated, Pinned Barrel 5-Screw, Flat-Latch, 5-Shot, Double Action.38 Special?

But the front ramp being tapered vs. the round blade is making me question my conclusion?

It's obviously not a "Target" version given the front sight blade.

Just as an FYI my front sight blade is not smooth. I have a 1 7/8" pined barrel.

The trigger-guard screw went away in 1953, so were at least that old.

I believe this is the smaller trigger-guard prior to 1951 but my SN is 36,XXX?

 

[Retired W4]

Pretty fancy revolver. Two-bit cowboy, the resident expert, should be along soon with questions that I will let him ask.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Looks like a nickel Baby Chief. Likely shipped in 1954 like others with nearby serial numbers.

 

[Goony]

The numbers on the inside of the yoke and in the corresponding recess of the frame are not significant. Numbers stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the back of the cylinder are, and should match the serial number on the butt. The major question probably will probably be if the plating is in fact original, factory nickel. Sans a letter, any markings on the sides of the grip frame may be informative.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice looking five-screw Chiefs Special. Snazzy stocks!

On carbon steel Chiefs the trigger guard screw did not go away till
June 1954 near serial number 46000. The Chiefs Special
Airweight, introduced in October 1952, was the first built on the
four-screw frame.

Referring to Gooney's comment about whether it's factory original
nickel, check three places for an N (see photos). If you see them,
it's an original factory nickel job. If they aren't there, it's been
refinished.

As for ship date ... based on many others in the database,
September-October 1953 most likely, but could be into February
1954.

It has the correct for the period third flat thumbpiece, easy to
detect because it only has 10 ridges and 11 valleys.

 

[JH1951]

It appears that you have an early Chiefs Special, often called a "Baby Chiefs". Yours likely shipped late 1953 / early 1954. I have SN 36052, also a nickel finish, which is likely close to yours. The earliest ones shipped generally in 1951 with a 1/2 round front sight. Shortly after that, perhaps 1952, the front sight changed to a smooth ramp. And shortly later in 1953, the front ramp took on a serrated appearance. Late '53/ early '54 brought on more changes with the loss of the front trigger guard screw and the enlargement of the trigger guard. Obviously there were a lot of changes prior to model numbers being assigned.
Your piece looks nice. As Goony mentioned above the nickel finish can be verified with a factory letter or some more pictures provided by you. I see an indication that yours "might" have been refinished, but it is not a call I would make based on what I have seen so far. Give us some more pictures and look for an "N" marking in several places such as the left side of the grip frame, on the cylinder under the star, and on the barrel flat. That will help tell us that it left the factory in nickel finish. I'll attach a couple pictures for you.... Nice looking one you have there. I'm sure our resident expert Bob, Two-Bit Cowboy", will soon be along to fill in some gaps. (All I know I learned from him.)
----- I see Bob and I were typing at the same time ......

 

[ElPatron]

Thank you, Wiregrassguy, Baby Chief? I am looking at that now.

Thank you, Goony, the numbers under the barrel, and on the cylinder are the SN and match the butt. The only marks on the frame under the grip are D, 3, 1.

I added a photo of to the original post above showing the markings. There is nothing on the other side where the "N" marking should be. Please see photo 6296 above.

Thank you, two-bit cowboy, I don’t have any “N” markings. Thanks for the photos. OK just so I am understanding late 1953 or early 1954 Chiefs Special, originally Blue Steel, Pinned Barrel, 5-Screw, Flat-Latch, 5-Shot, Double Action.38 Special.

The smaller trigger guard and tapered front sight blade are all consistent late 53 early 54. So, is this a Baby Chief? Or just a Pre-Model 36?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

"Baby Chief" is a collector term for the early Chiefs Special which had a rounded trigger guard and a grip frame the same size as the I frames.

 

[ElPatron]

Pre-Model 36

JH1951- Thank you for all of the info. I have included more photos.

Thanks Wiregrassguy, I am not familiar with the I Frame it must be a subtle difference.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I am not familiar with the I Frame it must be a subtle difference.

The Chiefs Special was the first hand ejector S&W made on the J frame. S&W had been making small frame hand ejectors for many decades on the I frame. But they couldn't handle the .38 Special cartridge because the cylinder window was too small. So, S&W increased the cylinder window and cylinder length to accommodate the .38 Special but kept the trigger guard shape and the grip frame from the older I frame. They later made a more elongated trigger guard and lengthened the grip frame by 1/8" (IIRC). Grips made for the longer J frame will fit on a Baby Chief but the panels will extend below the bottom of the grip frame by 1/8". Grips that enclose the grip frame will work fine. The magna grips on your gun are not factory original. But, you may find originals difficult to find if you want to replace them.

 

[ElPatron]

Thank you everyone.

My girl friend inherited this gun along with a S&W 3 7/8” barrel Model 19-2 both were duty weapons belonging to Ofc. Anthony Buonagura NOPD. He was known for being one of the NOPD officers who via helicopter shot out the New Orleans Sniper Mark Essex at the Downtown New Orleans Howard Johnson’s on January 7, 1972. These weapons were along for the ride. God Bless Our Frist Responders!

 

[Elroy]

My girl friend inherited this gun (from) Ofc. Anthony Buonagura NOPD.

Nice looking five-screw Chiefs Special. Snazzy stocks!

It appears those stocks bear his initials ARB.
That's a neat piece.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

OK just so I am understanding late 1953 or early 1954 Chief's Special, originally Blue Steel, Pinned Barrel, 5-Screw, Flat-Latch, 5-Shot, Double Action.38 Special.

The smaller trigger guard and tapered front sight blade are all consistent late 53 early 54.

Yes, and yes, except there's no apostrophe in the name. It's
Chiefs Special (plural, not possessive).

The serrated sight began in 1952 after serial number 12750,
which shipped in August 1952.

Between your girlfriend's five-screw Chiefs Special and the Model 36
there was a four-screw Chiefs Special in June 1954, then a
three-screw Chiefs Special in about April 1956, then, finally, in
September 1958 we begin to see the Model 36 appear.

 

[ElPatron]

Elroy- Thanks. I rewrote the sentence for you...

two-bit cowboy- Thank you for your correction- Noted and amended. I do appreciate all of your knowledge, and the time you took to impart it upon me.

Next time I will proof-read. LOL.

Just thought you all might enjoy the providence of the piece- Now I am off to clean it, annotate it correctly in my inventory, put it away in the vault, and work on my grammar.

Cheers