They are still out there for cheap. They have just been a little harder to find lately. Picked up a 1956 Chief's Special today. One made just before the model numbers went in and just after the baby chief and modified I frames went out. I wish it was a baby. It's not a perfect gun. . .maybe 90% and maybe not quite. It has a very nicely done jeweler's engraved name inscribed right above the left grip which I don't mind too much. It's kind of like a free Smith & Wesson letter. Now I know who owned the gun. I still have to apply some Tru-Oil to the grips to refresh them a little. The SN is just over 100000, so it is an early one. I got it for $275. Upon inspection, it actually looks and feels like it has never been fired or not fired much. The way I figure, I could get a new Classic one for $750 and have me a keyhole, or I can keep finding these for 1/3rd the price. These early grips do match, and are likely worth a C note leaving very little investment in the gun.

Attached Images

Chief Special 38 1956.jpg (106.5 KB, 217 views)

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Dr. B

I like it, it has character and if only it could talk.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Just so there is no confusion, the Chiefs Special were made on the newly designed "J" frame. Although the grip frame and trigger guard of the early J frames were smaller, like their I frame predecessors, hence the term "baby chiefs", the Chiefs Special were always made on the larger J frame.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Hello Doc B, very nice snag. Nice little pocket gun.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Nice find.

According to #s and ship dates in my database, it likely shipped Feb-Mar 1957. Although we know S/Ns didn't ship in order, Chiefs were popular, shipping regularly, and the s/n vs. shipping date are less erratic than some other models.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Baby chiefs stopped somewhere around SN 46000. The SN is in the 1956 manufacturing range.

I would buy those all day at $275.00. Nice find.

True, but to distinguish between the manuf. and shipping date significance, it's in the early 1957 shipping date range.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The actual SN is 1084XX which may pin it down a little better. The grips are drying now and looking good. Just opened it up and finished with the insides. New screws too.

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Dr. B

Yeah likely closer to mid 1957.

Cool. Did you have to do any fitting on the yoke retention screw (front side plate screw) or did you just make it the same length as the old screw?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yeah, no kidding, sign me up!

Excellent buy.

I get screws on EBAY from Gun Garage. . .keep a bunch of them around in my tool box. They all fit perfectly and were just the right length for this gun.

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Dr. B

Here's the gun about done. I will reduce the shine on the grips in another day after they dry good. The rough side plate caused me to reduce the condition of the gun to 85%-90%. I could replace or refinish it but probably won't. Overall, it came out pretty good.

Attached Images

	Chief Specail 38 1956.jpg (98.8 KB, 32 views)
	Chief Special 38 1956 Pic 2.jpg (103.3 KB, 36 views)

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Dr. B

I love to chase the history of these old guns and as cheaply as you are into that one I would order a letter. That a would give you a firm date and location to begin to folllow up on that name.

Bob