Model 36 question

[Dodgeguy71]

I recently purchased a model 36 serial number J893884. After doing research on year of production i found it was a 1981. But my question is didn’t they stop pinning barrels in 1982?

[RGNewell]

Depending on model, 81 to 83 I believe

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[Dodgeguy71]

Ok so its made in 81 but some didn’t have pinned barrels?

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

I'm guessing you're suggesting your Chiefs Special is not pinned.

Is yours a blue 2" with a round butt? Unlike the square butts, or the nickel ones, or the 3" Model 36-1s, the standard blue 2" round butts tended to ship in somewhat a regular order.

Not sure what "research" you did to come up with an '81 ship date (S&W doesn't track manufacturing dates), but based on looking at the ones in my database I'm thinking yours shipped in early '82.

My J849971, which is pinned, shipped in September '81.

The latest one I have documented with a pin was a Model 36-1 J858164. My database is by no means all inclusive -- there are lots of holes.

[Dodgeguy71]

For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions.

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.

1969-1970 = J1 - J99999
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX

1955 - 4 screw side plate ends
1957 - stamping of model number at 125000
1966 - flat latch ends
1968 - diamond grips end
1975 - heavy barrel standard
1982 - end pinned barrel

I found this on a few websites. It is a 2 in blued

[two-bit cowboy]

Ah, yes.

I wish folks who plagiarize others' work would at least attribute their source.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, is by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. It was published in 2016 by Gun Digest Books, and it's copyright protected.

I'm quite sure you didn't realize that.

As good as it is as a reference book, information evolves and things that once seemed to be cast in stone are revised to reflect new data.

Enjoy your Chiefs Special. They're terrific little revolvers!