Hi guys,

I dont recall having a picture thread for beaters lately.

I just bought a well worn Model 36 - see pictures below. I have a soft spot for used and abused revolvers, especially snubbies

Who else likes them - post some pics?







I'm going to add a T grip (if I can find one) and carry in a Ken Null holster.

Could someone please help me with the DOB on this gun - serial number is 1J349**?

DOB 1971. Russ

Thanks Russ

That has a strange wear pattern on the right side behind the cylinder.

Sorry, but that Model 36 lacks the barrel pin - so it's alot newer than 1971 - maybe 1981.

I stand corrected . . . 1J plus 5 digits is 1983.

Russ

Yeah, but that old gun has character.

I expect that the circular mark on the right side is from a holster, like from rubbing against a snap.

Frank

Yeah, thats definetly good honest holster wear. I like them too. Its nice to have at least one that you dont have to "baby". Just shoot it, carry it, and enjoy it.

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Cliff

I love the old beaters. I don't own any safe queens and none I don't shoot. My M36 with sn. J746XXX

Heres my little "beater". Its a '57 Pre-36 flatlatch.

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Cliff

This.
RM Vivas has posted several times of different NYPD revolvers that have this same mark, caused by the metal thumb snap on a leather holster.

Just bought this little "Beater" yesterday for $350.

I recently missed out on a beat up (finish wise) 3" 27 for $300... I had just gotten a 681... still wish I could have gotten both...

I paid $110 for it

The gun has been shot but fit and functioning are perfect.

They had a 1955 Cobra in similar condition, which I would like as well.

Thanks for the posts and pictures.

A 5 screw J-frame! Sweet. Great find. I like it a lot.

Personally, the 681 is the better deal if you ask me. So do not feel bad.

^ that one is cool. I would pay "too much" for it.

Here is my 36 I just bought, she qualifies!

I'll play...



Although this one is off to Ford's for a new look on life...

jglsprings........is that a Model 19-?

Since you asked . . . .

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Georgia On My Mind

Here's the best pic I have right now; but this REAL Bodyguard (49) is nestling snug and warm in my pocket as I type:

Top this..... Model 37 Airweight. Carried by my Grandfather for some 30 plus years in his pocket.

Yep, Firehouse, I'd say that one has seen some use! It looks like its edges were "melted" through holster wear! How well does it shoot?

Firehouse, that wins the prize!

I have not fired it. My Grandmother still has it in her possession, as my Grandfather has been gone over 10 years now. As a kid I always remember him carrying it with him wherever he went. The last time I handled it the timing and trigger pull were still pretty solid. I don't recall the serial number but I do believe it dated sometime in the 1950's. Grips are the original Diamonds.

I'll just bet it could tell some stories if it could talk. What was your Grandfather's vocation? Was it a LEO backup, or just something to keep his mind at ease? All that wear on my pictured Model 36 represents a lot of peace of mind provided by the old piece. I love my one or two safe-queens, but there is nothing like an old working, every day piece.

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Georgia On My Mind

He lived in a small town in south Alabama. During his lifetime he served as a Reserve Police Officer, Fire Chief of the town volunteer Fire Dept. and operated a small business. His main vocation everyday was that he ran a service station and towing business. This was back in the late 50's up until the early 90's when his health forced him to retire. His hours of operation were from 7am to midnight Monday thru Saturday and 1pm to 10pm on Sundays. He worked like this for over 40 years. He mostly stayed at his service station by himself at night and he was subject to wind up anywhere when out on his tow trucks. He kept the Model 37 for his personal protection. Fortunately to my knowledge he never had to use it. Probably because he never used a holster and you could see the guns silhouette in his pocket.

I touched up the cylinder and barrel a bit with cold blue, but that quickly wore off. These are before and after pictures. Firehouse, that gun is beautiful as far as I am concerned!

I had a new set of grips on it and they looked out of place. these are numbered to the gun but pretty beat up.
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

C105xxx. Story is it was carried by a Philly LEO. Left on consignment, at a shop I frequent, by a son or grandson who didn't want it. Grips are numbered to the gun. It has surely been carried, but not shot a lot. It is a joy to shoot, very accurate.

Former plainclothes officer's gun.

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Considering that M15 is a blue steel gun, it should get "first honorable mention", behind Firehouse's M37.

Agreed. That is one of the nicest snubbies I've seen Warren.

Like I said - I have a soft spot for worn guns.

Here is my little snubbie. I just picked this up last fall. It's serial number is J378XXX. leaving S&W sometime in '76. I have the serial numbered grips that came with it also. It's a real shooter with 158 Gr. RN. Haven't shot my self defense loads yet as they are +P and I don't want to stress the old girl too much.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

Thanks, RacingSnake. I bought the gun some time around 1995. I sold it to a friend a few years later. He sold it to a gal he knew some time after that. She turned Democrat, and after a few years decided she just would not own a gun. She mentioned that to my friend, and as a favor, he bought it back from her after she developed gun phobia. My friend told me that he bought the gun back from her for the same price she paid him for it, which was the same price I sold it for to him, which was the same price I paid for it. I regretted ever selling it, and he did not particularly want it, so I bought it back and it came full circle. I really like it and don't plan to ever sell it (again).

By the way, the BPD stamping on the side stands for "Birmingham Police Department", followed by the officer's badge number (2002).

Win, do you have any history on that gun? It looks as if it could tell some tales!

1966 Model 38 airweight

Shep854: Just a pawn shop gun that needed a home....for a reasonable price.

Nice guns, folks. Gotta love a good worn in J frame snub. A tool - a mechanical marvel - a work of art.

Airweights are my favorite. I love the banged up ones. Here are two of my favs, both with number matching stocks, from 1963 and 1974. Well worn and smooth shooting.

Josh P

My Dad carried it for many years, I carried it every day for over 10 years and for the last 5 years my Daughter has been carrying it. May trade it one of these days for a new one

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Bob Giese

It has surely earned one!

an old Chattanooga PD marked Chief's. I bought it well used and carried it for a back up until a good friend on Ft. Smith PD talked me out of it. He carried it for several years until I convinced him to sell it back to me.
Found a Chattanooga maker marked holster and a period correct CPD badge to go with it recently.

Why would you ever think of trading that in?? So much family history!!

That revolver has to much family history...it is now priceless! Your family has been the caretaker for this piece of history for 3 generations. In return, it has always been there for your family. What are you using now that your daughter has it if I may ask. Another J frame?

I was only kidding about tradeing... besides i'd have pry it out of my Daughters hands... and by the way she calles it her Chief

Rapidray, yes I carry a J frame

it now has a set of Crimson Trace 105s on it and is starting loose some of its finish too... Sans lock also!

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Bob Giese

Alright Plotman.........I give up whats that nice piece of history lying on?

opaul, A very old Beaver Pelt. The only thing I ever trapped, my Dad home tanned it and I dig it out to take some gun pics on from time to time

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Bob Giese

Hi Guys,
Bought this one in 1974 carried it when I was running bars & nightclubs. It was stolen in 1976 and I got it back about 5 years later by then I had a gas/service station where it rode under the drivers seat of a 72 T-bird most of the time,but always with me going to the bank or into Philly. Still have the box and paperwork.