|
|
 |
03-19-2024, 03:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 1 Post
|
|
Can you help me figure out this gun history? < Baby Chief
I inherited it and want to know more about it.
.38 special
Serial # 8359
Last edited by Chris Giles; 03-19-2024 at 03:29 PM.
|
|
The Following 14 Users Like Post:
|
Birdhunter6, Breakaway500, CZU, gwpercle, hittman77, JH1951, kscharlie, quinn, Retired W4, Smith & Hammer, soFlaNative, SSGRock, Wiregrassguy, ZGrand |
03-19-2024, 03:43 PM
|
 |
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,959
Likes: 12,836
Liked 34,138 Times in 8,026 Posts
|
|
Welcome aboard!
You have an early Chiefs Special that was probably made in 1952. The Chiefs special was introduced in 1950 on the then new J frame. Collectors refer to yours as a Baby Chief, because of the smaller trigger guard and shorter grip frame than J frames made after 1953. There were three variations of front sight: a half round, a plain ramp and a serrated ramp. I'm guessing yours has a plain ramp (non-serrated).
Nice little gun!
__________________
"I also cook."
Last edited by s&wchad; 03-19-2024 at 03:45 PM.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-19-2024, 04:49 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Occupied California
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,527
Liked 5,592 Times in 1,613 Posts
|
|
I would also add that the Baby Chiefs are very popular and worth about a 20% premium over any other 5 screw Chiefs Special. Maybe even 25%-30% more for the early ones with the half moon front sight. That's a nice inheritance.
|
03-19-2024, 07:40 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NE Texas
Posts: 981
Likes: 2,086
Liked 4,694 Times in 653 Posts
|
|
Let me also add that that looks like a square butt Baby Chief which are few and far between.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-19-2024, 07:45 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,959
Likes: 12,836
Liked 34,138 Times in 8,026 Posts
|
|
It has a round butt grip frame.
__________________
"I also cook."
|
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-19-2024, 10:16 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 1,908
Liked 4,434 Times in 1,362 Posts
|
|
Very Nice!
Congratulations.
Your post inspired me to drag out my SCSW and put a date on my 36 and 34-1.
|
03-19-2024, 10:27 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas Panhandle
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 5,658
Liked 3,465 Times in 1,730 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the forum from Texas.
__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado
|
03-20-2024, 04:45 AM
|
 |
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,913
Likes: 993
Liked 19,049 Times in 9,316 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter Rego
I would also add that the Baby Chiefs are very popular and worth about a 20% premium over any other 5 screw Chiefs Special. Maybe even 25%-30% more for the early ones with the half moon front sight. That's a nice inheritance.
|
The only 5 screw frame Chiefs Specials are the "Baby" variation. The next type (model of 1953) have a 4 screw frame. 
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-20-2024, 09:48 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Central Florida
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 4,776
Liked 4,290 Times in 1,198 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the Forum, Chris. Check out the Forum section (up above on the Home Page) entitled "S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896-1961". You'll find a ton of Posts and information regarding the Chief's Special (and Baby Chiefs). Enjoy!
|
03-20-2024, 10:51 AM
|
 |
Administrator
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 27,025
Likes: 9,001
Liked 48,771 Times in 9,262 Posts
|
|
Moved to correct forum.
Guys, please report S&W threads placed in
Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics
__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-20-2024, 11:14 AM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,257
Likes: 17,505
Liked 18,470 Times in 5,056 Posts
|
|
Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.
Very nice heirloom. If your inheritance is due to a loss of a friend or family member, I offer my condolences.
Others in the database that bracket your Chiefs Special's serial numbers shipped in May and June 1952.
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
|
03-20-2024, 01:56 PM
|
 |
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Massachusetts USA
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 3,715
Liked 8,952 Times in 3,558 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the forum from Massachusetts the once proud home of Smith and Wesson until climate change affected their desire to stay.
That is a really nice Chief that you have there and most of us feel that the added feature of it coming down through your family makes it priceless. There are a lot of Chiefs and model 36's out there but only 1 on this planet came down through your family.
I have 7 family guns in my meager collection but I value them above all of the others.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
|
03-20-2024, 03:31 PM
|
 |
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: South-Central PA
Posts: 3,917
Likes: 19,213
Liked 6,516 Times in 2,037 Posts
|
|
That is a very nice looking Chiefs Special, and with 'family ties', well worth holding on to. I suggest that you have the least common Baby Chiefs with the smooth ramp (non-serrated) front sight. I base that on what I have seen for sale over the last five years. I'm not aware that that adds to the value, but the condition of yours does. I hope you enjoy being the new custodian and keeping it in nice shape.
__________________
NRA Endowment Member
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
