Help identifying my S&W Snub 38 spl (I frame?)

joffficer · #1 03-29-2023, 08:13 AM

Hi,

First post, and little experience with S&W revolvers. I inherited a nickle plated .38spl, and would like to identify what year/model it is... as close as possible. It doesn't have a model number behind the yoke. Only "969 29". It has the square cylinder release, and fixed sights. "38 S&W SPL" stamped on the 1 3/4" barrel. "77960" stamped on the butt. From what I can tell it's a pre 1957, I frame... but it's a little confusing from what I've read so far.

Does that help?

Thanks for your help,
J

s&wchad · #2 03-29-2023, 08:22 AM

Welcome aboard!

The number on the butt is the serial number. The I frame cylinder window is too short for a .38 Special, so S&W released the J frame in 1950 to accommodate it. Your Chief Special is from the mid 1950's. The other number is an assembly number.

Photos would be helpful.

(Click here)>: Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

You may also find this Sticky helpful: To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Alk8944 · #3 03-29-2023, 08:39 AM

Your gun isn't an I frame, it is a J frame. The J frame was created specifically for the .38 Special Chief's Special because the I frame was too short to accommodate the .38 Special cartridge. The barrel is nominally 2", but actual length is 1 7/8", not 1 3/4".

The 77960 on the butt is the guns serial number and corresponds to probably 1956, and the model is known as the "Chiefs Special" before model numbers were assigned in 1957/1958. After model numbers were added it would become the Model 36, but it has always been the Chiefs Special

The 96929 is the assembly number and it will be found on the left side of the frame at the butt under the left stock, and inside the sideplate. It was stamped in two lines because 5 digits is too many to fit on the width of the yoke cut of the frame.
Nothing at all confusing to any of this.

Darn! S&W Chad and I were answering this at the same time, but I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of it.

Truckman · #4 03-29-2023, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alk8944

S&W Chad and I were answering this at the same time, but I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of it.

I'm not sure I would want to publicly admit that Chad had better bladder control than me...

...Ben

joffficer · #5 03-29-2023, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the help! Now I'll see about an issue with the hammer not locking back... it'll probably need a trip back to S&W for that.

two-bit cowboy · #6 03-29-2023, 09:22 AM

Howdy J, and welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Chad and Alk shared the basics of your new revolver.

My condolences on the reason you own it.

S&W likely shipped your Chiefs Special between May and December 1956.

That was during a period of change for S&W so there are a few things that could be one way or another on your Chiefs Special.

First a correction. At that serial number the three assembly numbers will be on the yoke (the hinge that allows the cylinder to swing out), on the frame in the yoke cut (not on the lower left side of the grip frame -- that didn't come about till late summer of 1958), and inside the side plate (I don't recommend removing the side plate to check).

Your Chiefs Special might have three or four side plate screws. If you can see three with the stocks in place, the fourth is hiding under the top of the right stock. I would guess most likely you can see two on the side plate and the third is hiding beneath the right stock.

The right stock should have a serial number stamped on the inside -- you'll have to take off the stocks to see it. I recommend taking the stocks off anyway just to check for moisture damage that might have occurred due to storage. Finally, the stocks should have a large diamond around the screw and nut escutcheons.

The square cylinder release is called a flat style thumbpiece. It probably has 11 ridges and 12 valleys, not counting the ends.

Yours probably has what's known as a large coarse hammer -- that change came about in the era yours was made.

One question for you. Is it a round butt, like the example in the photo that's about 11,000 numbers earlier than yours, or is it a square butt? As an aside, the one in the photo has a small knurled hammer.

Hope you'll take a look at the tutorial Chad linked and post a few photos.

The nickel Chiefs are reported to make up only about five percent of the entire production. You have not only a nice heirloom but a wonderful collector's example.

Wiregrassguy · #7 03-29-2023, 09:22 AM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I hate to tell you but S&W won't work on your Chiefs Special. They consider it obsolete. They even refused to work on my model marked Model 16 made in 1959. However, it is possible that your gun simply needs a good cleaning to clear the gunk out of the single action notch. Start with that and speak up if you don't know how to clean it.

joffficer · #8 03-29-2023, 10:05 AM

Thanks again! Any pictures I have are too large for posting, and my phone won't let me reduce them enough. Plus I haven't used a picture hosting site since the early 2000's

I will say the pic two-bit cowboy posted looks identical except for the stocks/grip. At some point a rubber grip was added. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to the OEM grips.

Mine does have a rounded butt, and the manufacturing numbers on both the yoke, and cutout. It does have three screws on the side plate, and what I can see under the grip is clean/corrosion free.

I'll have to see how to get it working correctly. Sucks if S&W won't touch it! I don't even feel it try to lock back. Works fine double action, tough.