My first S&W revolver. Early 36 Chiefs Special

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RealityCheck0311

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A customer at work that knew I was into guns offered me his dad's old duty gun. He's dealing with health issues and didn't want the gun to be pawned off by one of the children.



His father was a Los Angeles police detective and carried this gun in the 60s and 70s.



Ended up being an early Model 36 square grip, and from what I understand, made in 1957 or 1958. A serial number that starts with 1 with no J's.



Got it for an absolute steal, just around $300. He wouldn't accept any more and I made the promise I wouldn't sell it.



Can't wait to get it on the range.



No idea of the value of this gun but I'm happy with the purchase and you can't put a price on historical value.





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Here is the "Mod 36" stamp.



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Thanks for all of the replies, I agree with everyone which is rare.

Great to know it's from 1958 too. Some of the S&W serial number sites were a little confusing. Still can't believe the condition it's in for a 65 year old gun.

I definitely have a revolver itch now. Kind of set on finding a decent S&W Model 15 as a compliment to my 36. The classic story "If I just get that _____, I'll be satisfied." haha
 
One of my all time favourites, thanks for sharing

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk
 
RealityCheck0311 said:
Thanks for all of the replies, I agree with everyone which is rare.

Great to know it's from 1958 too. Some of the S&W serial number sites were a little confusing. Still can't believe the condition it's in for a 65 year old gun.

I definitely have a revolver itch now. Kind of set on finding a decent S&W Model 15 as a compliment to my 36. The classic story "If I just get that _____, I'll be satisfied." haha
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Congrats on finding the 36. That is one of the models that has thus far eluded me. Hope you have tons of fun with it. :)
 
The 36 is rightfully a classic - I find LSWCs are most pleasant on the range in mine. Enjoy!
 
Looks like it was carried a lot and shot a little. Nice Chief's Special. Use it well!

While the square butt has a bit more grip to conceal, it is worth its weight when shooting stiff +P ammo. I would load it with +P's for SD after shooting a few for familiarity, but the normal diet kept to standard velocity ammo for practice at the range. This was an early model and while it was later on OK'd for ocassional +P's it was not specifically designed for them. Just use them sparingly and you will be OK.
 
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That’s a great gun with a cool story at an unbelievably low price. Congratulations. Get as much information about the officer/detective that carried it to maintain the story. I’d probably also suggest a letter on the gun which will give you further information. Then go find yourself a LAPD DAO Model 15 like this one. I love guns with LEO provenance.
 

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Very nice revolver. I recently have seen reference to “Baby Chief”. I’m new to getting into the weeds on service type S&Ws. I’ve owned dozens of M10s and similar. Only used for trade bait for adjustable sight models. Is this Baby designation just slang for snubby 36? or is it something to do with transition of I to J frame? I just got a couple 36s for personal use as carry piece. Other than being in exceptional condition and older models with pinned barrels I see nothing special about them.
 
Baxter6551 said:
A great gun with a great history !! Treasure it. I think the bottom of the grips have been rounded off - easier on the suit coats.
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I am thinking it was carried on and off duty for 20 years. Plus LAPD back in those days qualified six times a year (bi-monthly)

I once worked for an agency that only shot once a year, another twice a year and another had quarterly qualifications. But six times a year that is a lot compared to other Departments.
 
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OP, that is a very nice Chiefs Special you have there!

Drm50 said:
........ I recently have seen reference to “Baby Chief”. ....... Is this Baby designation just slang for snubby 36? or is it something to do with transition of I to J frame? .......
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Leaving out a lot of history and detail, S&W produced the smallest .38 caliber handgun called the "Terrier". The Terrier was a 2" rendition of the S&W Regulation Police, an I-frame chambered in .38 S&W. There was a demand for the more potent .38 S&W Special in a small frame, So S&W modified the Terrier to accept the longer .38 Special cartridge. This created the Chiefs Special, the first J-frame S&W. All Chiefs Specials are J-frames. The I-frame just wasn't large enough to accommodate the longer .38 Special cartridge, so they lengthened the cylinder and frame to make a fit, becoming the J-frame, and characteristics of the I-frame (other than the lengthening of the frame and cylinder) persisted with the first J-frames produced. Today collectors call these early J-frame Chiefs Specials the "Baby Chiefs". Several years later, based on feedback and popular demand, the grip frame was lengthened and the trigger guard enlarged. These changes are commonly referred to as the "Model of 1953". The basic shape of the Model of 1953, along with several other changes, eventually morphed into the Chiefs Special Model 36.
 
Reality:

Congrats on bringing that little beauty home! And a hearty welcome to the forum. That revolver itch afflicts many of us on this forum, so it is a great place to come and share the affliction.:D

Thanks for sharing,
 
First, welcome to the S&W Forums. Second, dang! What an entrance you have made! You should be very happy buying that one for only $300.
 
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