I have just become the new owner of a snubbie. It's a S&W .38 Chiefs Special Airweight Model 37 (J558xxx). I know very little about revolvers and have some questions. It looks old but it looks to be in unfired condition. It came with the box, paperwork and cleaning rod/brush. It was added to a trade to even up a deal. My questions are; DOB, possible value and I would like to find some fine wood grips for it like Cocobolo. Here is a picture I took at the FFl while working out the deal, I still havn't wiped the oil off. Thanks for your help, any thoughts or recommendations are welcome.

Aside from the fact that fixed-sight revolvers are generally a ****-shoot from the POV of POI vs. POA, that's one nice-looking revolver. Personally, I would pay $500 for something like that very quickly, and I already have two, but others will probably give you different estimates, perhaps lower. Also controversial, I consider the square butt a big plus. It's not much harder to conceal in a pocket than a RB, but with a Tyler it really fits my hand, and can stay in the black at 25 yards (if that happens to be where it is shooting to).

Yours was probably made around 1977. As you may have figured out, I wouldn't buy fancy wood grips for it, but would get a polished aluminum Tyler. No grips will be a lot better than factory with a Tyler, but those which are somewhat better will be MUCH less concealable. There are also very nice-looking wooden grips available which ARE concealable. For me, none of them even begin to compare to the shootability of the factory's with a Tyler.

YMMV, but that's how I see it.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Thanks guys for the information. One more question, do the "T" grips damage the finish on the frame where they are attached?

First off nice snubbie. I have never heard of th Tylers hurting the finish but dont have a very long term experience with them. I would also say stick with the 158 grain variety of ammo and POA/POI should be fine.

No, they do not. If they did, all of us anal retentive forum guys wouldn't think of using them.

Congrats very nice. Had one of those in round but still kicking my self in the round but for getting rid of it.

Pete

As to the T-Grips, they will not deminish the value. You simply back out the grip screw so the grips are loose, and fit the T-Grip in the space behind the trigger guard. Be prepared for a long wait to get them, but they're worth it.

Nice revolver. I'd figure $400 to $500 on the value. Hogue makes some nice stocks out of cocobolo, but of course, save the originals.

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Andy

I don't believe that I've ever seen a T-grip damage a frame, but it is pretty common for them to leave a small mark on each grip panel. This may depend on fit.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Nice purchase! I like the original grips with a T-grip added. Either way that's a great looking revolver.