Identify S&W Model 36 Chief Special .38
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Just sold one for $400 just a several weeks ago for $400, but nicer grips.
Not sure if what I have listed for this post as the S/N is not actually the Assembly number. The MOD 36 and the number 70XXX both are on the Yok (see pics). 70XXX is also under the wood grips when I remove them. There's a separate number on the outer bottom of the gun's butt 45XXX (first X is a letter, second two are numbers).
Texas Star
US Veteran
The actual serial number is on the bottom of the butt. The rest is assembly numbers. This is probably a Model 36-1, indicating a gun with a heavy three-inch barrel.
These are much easer to shoot than the true snubs.
These are much easer to shoot than the true snubs.
Twiki357
Member
It looks to me to be a 36 no dash that would be a tapered 3” barrel. Not quite as common as the 3” heavy barrel 36-1. I paid $285 for the last one I purchased but that was about 2 years ago and without the box. Prices have shy rocketed lately.
Your serial number does not make sense. A number starting with 45J and only two digits looks wrong. There should be 3 numbers after the letter. Assuming the actual serial number is 45Jxxx it would have shipped in 1980.
Welcome to the forum and the start of your S&W learning curve.
Your serial number does not make sense. A number starting with 45J and only two digits looks wrong. There should be 3 numbers after the letter. Assuming the actual serial number is 45Jxxx it would have shipped in 1980.
Welcome to the forum and the start of your S&W learning curve.
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I just saw one of these today at the LGS and it was marked $699. Too high in my book, but for an excellent condition version with original box, papers and tools $500 would be acceptable - at least around my area. I've seen them for sale for $400 but NOT in pristine condition and without accouterments.
The one in the photos above looks to be in very good shape as do the Grips and box.
The one in the photos above looks to be in very good shape as do the Grips and box.
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Welcome! With few exceptions, the official SN location for an S & W revolver is the bottom of the grip frame:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/332218-identify-your-gun.html
My guess is this one has a 45J prefix, which puts it in the six-character "floating J" series of 1971-'72, probably shipped late in the first year mentioned. It does appear to be a 3" "heavy" barrel model 36, not the "bull" barrel 36-1. I would value it somewhere between options 2 and 3 of your poll, closer to 3. Enjoy!
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/332218-identify-your-gun.html
My guess is this one has a 45J prefix, which puts it in the six-character "floating J" series of 1971-'72, probably shipped late in the first year mentioned. It does appear to be a 3" "heavy" barrel model 36, not the "bull" barrel 36-1. I would value it somewhere between options 2 and 3 of your poll, closer to 3. Enjoy!
Likenew in box......
...and that three inch barrel says $400 easy.
...and that three inch barrel says $400 easy.
Welcome aboard from Wyoming.
I picked up a 36-1 3" (1976) in pretty much the same condition as yours, minus the box and goodies, late last year for $360. I'd guess the value with the extras would be a bit more than $400, but I've seen folks asking a lot more than that for 'em lately.
I picked up a 36-1 3" (1976) in pretty much the same condition as yours, minus the box and goodies, late last year for $360. I'd guess the value with the extras would be a bit more than $400, but I've seen folks asking a lot more than that for 'em lately.
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
@murphydog, you're correct it is a 45J prefix s/n, but there's only five-characters (45JXX), the last two being numerical, does this affect how you dated it? To confirm; it is a model 36 no dash, and a 3" tapered barrel.
Thanks.
