Can someone help me to identify this? A while back, a friend went through a divorce and her father gave her this when she moved to the northeast. She has finally pulled it from storage and, unfortunately, she can no longer ask her father. All she can remember is it is a .38 special.

Trying to get her as much information as I can and get her into a 101 class and self defense class. Thanks.

Attached Images

Lori.jpg (54.7 KB, 424 views)

Has she checked inside the crane for a model number? It looks new enough to have one. Looks like a model 36 Chiefs Special to me.

Or maybe a 37?

She says this - "Serial number on grip is IJXXXXX but no #s on barrel. Does say .38 S&W SPL on one side"

I'm just guessing but I think the "I" should be a "1".

open the cylinder and look at the yoke, the hinge area, should be a model number there ie: 36-1 or 37

She's a little beauty, definitely a J frame snubby. Looks like it's in new condition with minimal turn line.
As the others said check under the crane on the frame, looks like either a model 36 or 37.

The serial number points to 1983.
All Model 36-1 revolvers had 3" barrels. This one clearly has a 2" barrel. My money is on a Model 36. But, of course, it could be an Airweight.
In any case, it's a nice little personal protection piece. Her daddy did well to give it to her.
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Yes, he did. I hope she makes sure she takes care of it. Be sure to explain that guns require constant "supervision" - not only to keep them out of the wrong hands but also to protect them from corrosion. People who are not gun people often don't understand that corrosion can ruin a nice gun like that in no time at all.

It's almost certainly a Model 36, if it is a .38 Special. Similar guns would be Model 30s and Model 32s, but they were in different calibers. The gun pictured does not appear to be an airweight (Model 37).

It's definitely a Model 36. That is not an alloy frame on that gun. Excellent personal defense weapon, especially for a lady. Her father is still looking over her.

Now, that's the truth.....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

How can you tell from that picture it's not an airweight? I have two and I can't really spot a tell tale. In '93 the word airweight was deleted from right side bbl. and the flat matte satin finish wasn't introduced till 1992. That gun is a mid eighties make. Just wondering if I'm missing something. (except that she didn't say that "airweight" was on the barrel, which you'd think she would have) But my 37 is as shiney and blue as my 36.

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Halfway and one more step

Serial number 1JXXX......it should be one of the floating J model 36s from the early 70s...later models have more letters, correct? The earlier alloy Jframes I've seen have blueing differences between the steel and alloy parts.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Actually, no. The serial number she posted had 5 digits after the 1J. With 6 digits total, that puts it in 1983. The "floating J" numbers from 1971-72 only had 5 numeric digits total and the J floated among them.

This is, of course, assuming she gave us the right number of x digits, which I trust she did.

Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Don't see a barrel pin so I agree, not '70s.

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Where do we go from here?

I love this place, I learn something every time I log in!

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Even older, even crankier....

Me too, A10, me too. It has become my absolute favorite Internet site!
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Errrrr I still can't tell if it's an Airweight or a 36. Somebody call that gal and get her to send a picture of the flipside.. I can't sleep!
I GOTS TO KNOW!

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Halfway and one more step

seems like the blue on the alloy always looked a little different than on the steel

I am guessing 36

True, on the M37 blue doesn't look uniform-sort of shines a bit.

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HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

Like this Airweight?

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Halfway and one more step