Recently I found a nice 38 "terrier" (pre 32 snub) online. It ended up being a local guy, and the gun looked nice. After I won the auction, for a few more than I wanted to spend, I started doing some research. I don't have many J frames, and so I am not very well versed on them. I have a few, but I primarily collect K and N frames when talking hand ejectors. Anyways, I realize about 30 min after I won the auction (embarassed!) that the gun can't be a 38 terrier, because their SN continued from the pre war I frames, so it should be a 6 digit SN, 5XXXXX or so, and instead, this gun was a 4 digit SN, per the seller. I remember thinking when I won the auction, "this gun is cool but I wish it was a baby chief." I figured the easiest way to solve the mystery of conflicting SNs was to revisit the auction page, and verify the caliber marking on the barrel, which ended up being "38 S&W SPL" and so then I realized, with the longer cylinder, SN range, caliber, small trigger guard it was in fact a baby chief! Looking at the photos, and considering the early SN, I assumed it was a smooth ramp variation to boot!

So a few days later I end up meeting the guy in person, as he lived only 30 min or so away. Then I got another surprise, a diamond marking on the bottom of the barrel! After that, I checked the butt, and sure enough a star. There is a "9.64" marking on the left grip frame, with another diamond marking. I was pretty glum. On top of this, the grips do not SN to gun, and they fit poorly. I ended up exchanging them with a pair from my collection that fit better. The gun is in fact a smooth ramp, which is scarce as most of these baby chiefs had the serrated ramp. The smooth ramp was the only good thing found on inspection. I nearly always ask about star markings, diamonds, and 3 or 4 digit codes on grip frame. In this instance, I thought the gun was probably fine, and was not worried about it, and of course Murphy's Law prevails! Most other times when I ask, of course the gun is fine. And then the one time I do not....haha another lesson learned I guess - always ask.

Last year I lucked into a red box for a baby chief, with a higher than this baby I got, SN 37XXX. It has the eezox paper and the paper work inside. Now I have a nice package but I'm disappointed overall due to the trip back to the factory. I'm torn on whether or not I should keep it and wait for a better one or just let it go now and buy something else? I like the smooth ramp aspect, but I think it might be factory refinished on top of everything else. The hammer stud is flat but I'm not sure about the finish either way.

Opinions? I have read the diamond marking meant parts replacement - is this correct? Rework or not, this is a hard to find gun. I feel I bought it right despite the issues.






Too bad it went back to the factory. The seller said he had no idea. I believe him.




Here is the box I have for a baby chief. I still can't believe how lucky I was getting that last year. I remember the seller didn't pay for the thumbnail image, and I figured I would just click the auction to make sure it wasn't a red box or a sunburst, and bam, and then apparently no one else found it




It is a nice example I suppose....in a way....it sure looks nice at least I always wanted one of these, and now at least I got one...FWIW

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

I'll bet that one of these days, someone might start collecting "Starred" S&Ws--and why not?

It looks nice; is it possible it went back to the factory for something besides a refinish? (It's a rhetorical question; probably no way to find out.). It looks nice enough that the finish could pass for original. Either way I think it's a keeper. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Why not? I treasure my starred December of '58 factory reblued Pre-10 and Factory Re-Blue Triple Lock with upgraded sights.

They are a lot more interesting to me then some new in the box example that no one has ever touched.

If the gun looks perfect, but went back to the factory, I think that's just a plus.

I'm of the opinion that getting hold of any Baby Chief is a good thing, worn, refinished, pristine, or otherwise.

That's a nice looking shootin iron. The star and diamond markings can sometimes mean replacement of a part and not necessarily a refinish. I have several star marked guns as well as ones with SS#'s and owners names scratched on the surface. IMHO it is merely adds to the character of the gun and shows that a prior owner added his mark or improvement. Doesn't bother me at all.

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James Redfield
LM #497

It is a bit like collecting the '60s era Garand rebuilds. I have a Red River Army Depot (RRAD) and a Toole (TE). I always check the receiver leg on any Garand I see if the owner will let me. As said above, there is likely a collector or two out there that concentrate on these.