Nickel Plated Baby Chief Five Screw

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Ronmartin_Realdude

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Hello everybody, first thread here.

I just picked up this revolver the other day, first pistol I've ever owned. Judging from some threads I've read on here and what a guy at a gun shop said, I think it's a Baby Chief, nickel plated, five screw with flat latch and ramp sight.

I'm new to most of these terms but I was wondering what ya'll thought of this thing in terms of it's value. Should be a 1952 model.
The serial is 7393.
It's got a few scratches and marks here and there but overall doesn't look too bad.

Also, if you've got that book, please lemme know when it was shipped.

You don't wanna know what I got it for, like next to nothing.
 

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Pic of butt.

Also, in the OP in the photo with the grip taken off it's hard to see but there's a stamp or engraving or whatever it's called of a "R-N" within a rectangle. At least that's what I think it is. Could be a B-N. Next to that is a "679".
Then there's an "R" on the bottom left corner of handle.

And another thing, not sure if it's round butt or square. Again, all of this is new to me.

It's not as dirty anymore. I've since cleaned it up after taking pics.
 

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WELCOME TO THE FORUM. I TEND TO SHUT MY MOUTH, ABOUT GUNS THAT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT.......

I CAN, HOWEVER, OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS IN PICKING UP A PRETTY NICE LOOKING REVOLVER, FOR A REASONABLE PRICE, AS YOUR FIRST HANDGUN PURCHASE. ENJOY IT, AND OUR FORUM......
 
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Nice "steal"!

If there's no B in front of the serial # bottom side of the barrel, it was originally nickel plated from the factory. You'll need to look with magnification.
 
The R-N is definitive that it was later nickeled by S&W. But whether it was originally nickeled is a little more difficult question best answered by a letter if that knowledge is worth $75 to you. I would think it was originally blued. I don't think the B SN prefix was still used that late to indicate it was shipped blued. 7393 would date its manufacture in the early 1952 production period. The closest BC SN on my list is 74xx shipping in 6/52.
 
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Welcome to the forum.

Neat looking Chief Special. Unfortunately, the Goodyear stocks are not original for this gun and the refinish relegate it to shooter status. Collectors typically want guns all original with matching numbered stocks with box, paperwork and tools. Although, a factory refinish is not considered as negative as one done outside the factory.

The "baby chief" will have a smaller trigger guard and the butt frame is about 1/8" shorter like its I frame predecessors. Regular J frame stocks will not fit.

The Chief Special was originally designed after the I frame but due to the longer .38 special round required a longer cylinder and cylinder window so the J frame was born. As the story goes, the trigger guard and butt frame were considered too small by the plain clothes LEO's that the gun was originally designed for and so the factory lengthened the butt and increased the trigger guard size.

They are great carry guns and fun to shoot. ;)
 
I assume this thing shouldn't take +P right?

If so, what's best self-defense ammo to use? 158 grain semi-wadcutter?

Also, so this IS a J frame? or like... what? If I were to purchase some new grips what size would I need?
 
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