Help please concerning a Pre 36 Model Chief. I have to admit that my knowledge curve falls off rapidly on the smaller side of the Smith “N” frame revolvers.

And so my question.
Below is what I suspect to be a so-called “Baby Chief” with rounded trigger guard (versus elongated). SN is 328xx, it’s a five screw, with serrated ramp. I’d appreciate ‘baby’ status confirmation or...
Also to know what frame (“J” or “I”) and any other information available!
Thanks much!

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All Chiefs Specials are J frames; this one is the first version with the features you noted. Hondo44 has a good summary of the variations and will be along shortly .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Yes, it is a J frame. The J frame was introduced in 1950 because the I frame was too small for the .38 special round.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The length of the cyl frame window determines the frame size and the .38 Special requires the longest cyl window. So if it chambers the .38 Special it has to be a J frame. The I frames for the other three calibers were all discontinued by Jan 1961 and changed to J frames.

There are several varieties Of Baby Js or Baby Chiefs explained here:
Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" - Smith & Wesson Forum

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Jim
S&WCA #819

and the short answer is-
Yes, that is a Baby Chief.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

So what exactly makes a Chief's Special a "baby" chief as opposed to a regular (adult? teen?) chief?

Not trying to hijack the thread, as I thought this was part of the original question.

Smaller rounder trigger guard versus the egg shaped trigger guard, smaller grips, flat latch (note some pre 36 have flat latches as well, generally speaking a serial number below 43000 is a Baby Chief. The earlier ones have a half moon front sight, then the smooth front sight and the alter baby Chiefs, as the OP is, a serrated sight.

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Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

I make no claim to "expert" status, but it's my understanding that the first models had the larger cylinder window as Hondo explained, mated to the I frame grip (smaller rounded trigger guard).

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NRA Cert. Inst. RSO

I would call it a late Baby Chief due to its 5 digit serial number (nearly identical to the one I have only with a SN quite a bit lower.) It is officially the smallest production 38 Spl revolver ever to come from S&W. JMHO, but I think of it as one of the great BUGs or CCWs ever.

Froggie

All chief specials (of the revolver variety) are built on the J frame. Although modeled after the I frame in some respects, the cylinder window and cylinder needed to be elongated to accommodate the longer .38 Special cartridge. This was not necessary for the shorter .38 S&W cartridge.

Supposedly, S&W received comments that the trigger guard and grip were a little small for the new more powerful .38 Special cartridge so modifications were then made to the trigger guard and grip to make them larger.

In S&W speak, the "baby chiefs" could have been referred to as the J frame and the larger modified version could have been the Improved J frame similar to the I frame and Improved I frame however, they did not follow that pattern.

So, today we collectors refer to the original smaller models as the "baby chief".

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James Redfield
LM #497

The J frame kinda did follow the I frame evolution, the J was introduced as an equivalent to the Improved I frame model with 5 screws, a coil mainspring, and pre war size short grip frame and rounder trigger guard.

Then in 1953 both the I and J frames received brand new forgings to become the Models of 1953 'New' I frame and 'New' J frame.

They both received the larger grip frames and larger egg shaped trigger guards with only 4 screws at that same time.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

You're not hijacking the thread, you're perfectly on topic.

The Chiefs Special (no apostrophy Chiefs) is plural but not possessive.

From Post #4 above:

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Jim
S&WCA #819