Hi.
I have a S&W Model 36 Chief Special that I purchased used about 15 years ago. I was removing the grips today to clean the gun and was looking at all of the markings, and I realized that I know very little about this aspect of gun ownership. There are quite a few numbers and stamps, and I'm not even sure which is the actual serial number. I'd also like to know when this gun was made.
I've searched online and in some forums and I've found a few places that list serial number and date info for this model, but none of them mention serial numbers that begin with letters. On the bottom of the butt of my gun is stamped a 7-digit code...3 letters and 4 numbers: ABL2###. Is that the serial number, or something else?
On the left side of the butt is a 5-digit number: 19###. Above that and to the left is stamped C24, and to the right of that is stamped F12.
The 19### and C24 are also stamped inside the crane opposite the Mod. 36 stamp.
On the right side of the butt is a 4-digit number: 47##. Above that and to the left is a circle with a V inside, and to the right of that is a heart with a 3 inside.
I'd appreciate any help you can give me regarding the meaning of these stamps, the date the gun was made and whether 19### or ABL2### is the serial number.
Many thanks!
Larry
I have a S&W Model 36 Chief Special that I purchased used about 15 years ago. I was removing the grips today to clean the gun and was looking at all of the markings, and I realized that I know very little about this aspect of gun ownership. There are quite a few numbers and stamps, and I'm not even sure which is the actual serial number. I'd also like to know when this gun was made.
I've searched online and in some forums and I've found a few places that list serial number and date info for this model, but none of them mention serial numbers that begin with letters. On the bottom of the butt of my gun is stamped a 7-digit code...3 letters and 4 numbers: ABL2###. Is that the serial number, or something else?
On the left side of the butt is a 5-digit number: 19###. Above that and to the left is stamped C24, and to the right of that is stamped F12.
The 19### and C24 are also stamped inside the crane opposite the Mod. 36 stamp.
On the right side of the butt is a 4-digit number: 47##. Above that and to the left is a circle with a V inside, and to the right of that is a heart with a 3 inside.
I'd appreciate any help you can give me regarding the meaning of these stamps, the date the gun was made and whether 19### or ABL2### is the serial number.
Many thanks!
Larry
