S&W .38 SPL Chiefs Special Target Revolver

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Hammer2024

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This is my first post on this forum, and I am hoping members can help me to identify this Smith & Wesson revolver that I’ve had for about 30 years that I got from a retired chief deputy in Tennessee.

With the research I’ve done online I believe it is a chief special target revolver. The retired LEO told me he had put its Pachmayer grips on it. I can’t find too much information though about this model S&W. Were these standard production, or were they a special run sometime during the 80s, And if so, how many were made and when was this one made?

Here’s some photos that I hope you can help people identify when this pistol was made and how common or not it is. I covered the last two numbers of its four digit serial number.

Thank you!
 

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They made a gazillion 60 series guns.
Around here you never see the -1 or a 60 with adjustable sites.

Nice one to have for sure.
Congratulations
 
hittman77 said:
They made a gazillion 60 series guns.
Around here you never see the -1 or a 60 with adjustable sites.

Nice one to have for sure.
Congratulations
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Thank you. I first posted about this revolver on another forum this afternoon and several members there said they believed this is a chiefs special target revolver which was made in 1986 on a very limited run, and they recommended I post it on this forum to try to verify that and see if members here could determine what year this special revolver was made.
 
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toddimusnimski said:
From Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 4th edition, page 261:
"Product code 102305... limited production of 660.."

"1985 Special run of this model w/adjustable rear sight for Ashland Shooter Supply"

Do you have the box?

VERY nice! And a huge Welcome to the Forum!

Todd
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Wow! Any idea how many they made for that special run for Ashland Shooter Supply? And do you think that’s the only time they made this type of model of Chiefs special target revolver?
I’ll look but I may have the box packed away in my storage somewhere. I’ve moved many times since I was given this revolver in the late 90s by the Chief Deputy as a gift to show his appreciation of my Military service.

This 2 inch barrel revolver is amazingly accurate even at 25 yards holding it one-handed!
 
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Yep, 660 is all they made. Ashland was pretty well known for distributing limited runs of various S&W models. You have something special! If you find the box and post a pic of the end label we can tell you what day in 1985 it shipped. It would be a nice surprise if the prior owner had squirreled away the original stocks inside the box. That and the box really helps the value.

A friend once gifted me his Beretta 92FS in appreciation of my military service, so I can understand your attachment to it and gratitude to your friend. :)

Todd
 
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toddimusnimski said:
Yep, 660 is all they made. Ashland was pretty well known for distributing limited runs of various S&W models. You have something special! If you find the box and post a pic of the end label we can tell you what day in 1985 it shipped. It would be a nice surprise if the prior owner had squirreled away the original stocks inside the box. That and the box really helps the value.

A friend once gifted me his Beretta 92FS in appreciation of my military service, so I can understand your attachment to it and gratitude to your friend. :)

Todd
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Thank you for your Military service!

I think the original grips were light brown Wooden grips and they are thinner than the black grips on it now.

Is there a way to verify if the AHV 44XX serial number is in that correct range for the 660 pistols that were made by Ashland shooting supplies? Does the A that’s the first letter of the serial number represent Ashland? And does the A that’s on the side of the grip frame represent Ashland?
 
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Hammer2024 said:
Military service! I seem to remember they were brown. Wooden grips that were thinner than the black grips on it now.

Is there anyway to verify if the AHV 44XX serial number is in that correct range for the 660 that was made by Ashland shooting supplies? Does the A that’s the first letter of the serial number represent Ashland and And does the A that’s on the side of the grip frame represent Ashland?
Click to expand...

The prefixes are just assigned alphabetically and typically dont stand for anything. One exception is the model 4006 TSW (Tactical Smith and Wesson) semiauto that was made for the California Highway Patrol and has a CHP prefix. AHV prefixes were reported to have shipped in 1985 so I think you're on the money. Plus being a -1 with an adjustable sight I don't think it can be anything else.

I believe most markings under the stock panels are fitters marks that have no meaning once the gun leaves the factory. If others are more knowledgeable please correct me.

I'm no expert on these at all, I just own the book! My 60-4 is desirable but certainly not as rare as yours.

Todd
 
Hammer2024 said:
Thank you for your Military service!

I think the original grips were light brown Wooden grips and they are thinner than the black grips on it now.

Is there a way to verify if the AHV 44XX serial number is in that correct range for the 660 pistols that were made by Ashland shooting supplies? Does the A that’s the first letter of the serial number represent Ashland? And does the A that’s on the side of the grip frame represent Ashland?
Click to expand...


The AHV is also part of the serial number so the characters are 7 digits. Nice revolver!
 
toddimusnimski said:
The prefixes are just assigned alphabetically and typically dont stand for anything. One exception is the model 4006 TSW (Tactical Smith and Wesson) semiauto that was made for the California Highway Patrol and has a CHP prefix. AHV prefixes were reported to have shipped in 1985 so I think you're on the money. Plus being a -1 with an adjustable sight I don't think it can be anything else.

I believe most markings under the stock panels are fitters marks that have no meaning once the gun leaves the factory. If others are more knowledgeable please correct me.

I'm no expert on these at all, I just own the book! My 60-4 is desirable but certainly not as rare as yours.

Todd
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I appreciate what I’m finding out about this revolver! It sat in a drawer for at least 25 years and just recently I pulled it out and was thinking about taking it to a gun show to sell.

If I can’t find the box and original grips, Any idea on what this pistol is worth in today’s market?

And if I choose to sell it, should I try listing it on this S&W Forum or should I take it to one of the large gun shows in Florida?
 
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Hammer2024 said:
I appreciate what I’m finding out about this revolver! It sat in a drawer for at least 25 years and just recently I pulled it out and was thinking about taking it to a gun show to sell.

If I can’t find the box and original grips, Any idea on what this pistol is worth in today’s market?

And if I choose to sell it, should I try listing it on this S&W Forum or should I take it to one of the large gun shows in Florida?
Click to expand...

You might not get the best deal at a gun show since many of the buyers would be dealers looking to be able to resell. What part of Florida? I let one of the get by me about 5 years ago priced at $700. Not sure how that relates to today.
 
raljr1 said:
You might not get the best deal at a gun show since many of the buyers would be dealers looking to be able to resell. What part of Florida? I let one of the get by me about 5 years ago priced at $700. Not sure how that relates to today.
Click to expand...

I’m in the Tampa area but I travel all over the State often.

I collect US Military weapons and I’d rather this rare pistol be with someone who’s been really wanting one like it for a long time than for it to continue to sit in a drawer with me for another long time…

I looked online last night and could only find two others like it for sale and they were both listed for over $1000 so I know it’s highly sought after by Collectors.
 
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The original stocks would have been Magna or service style with silver S & W medallions.

I have seen a fair number of these for sale so I find it hard to believe only 660 were made. That figure may have been the number made for Ashland specifically, but other distributors may have ordered them also.

You will likely net the most with a sale here in the Wanted to Buy/Trade section. It would likely sell quickly in the $750 range, and may go for more if someone is looking for one. But you may never see another one...good luck in your decision.
 
murphydog said:
The original stocks would have been Magna or service style with silver S & W medallions.

I have seen a fair number of these for sale so I find it hard to believe only 660 were made. That figure may have been the number made for Ashland specifically, but other distributors may have ordered them also.

You will likely net the most with a sale here in the Wanted to Buy/Trade section. It would likely sell quickly in the $750 range, and may go for more if someone is looking for one. But you may never see another one...good luck in your decision.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alan. When the other forum’s members told me they thought only 660 were made, I was also surprised and honestly skeptical and that’s why I was encouraged to post about it on this S&W Forum because if anyone would know something more definitive about this special revolver, I was told it would be here.

I am contemplating selling it, but only because I can appreciate when a fellow collector really wants a special piece that they’ve been looking for for sometime. If I sell, it Will be at the top end of what is the collectors market value, and if only 660 were made that would be much higher than if thousands were made, That’s why I’m hoping that can be better researched and verified here.
 
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"I looked online last night and could only find two others like it for sale and they were both listed for over $1000 so I know it’s highly sought after by Collectors."

Or highly priced by sellers. :)

Without the box and original grips, the price will probably be lower, but you never know in an auction setting.
 
Chief's Special Target

Your gun is not considered to be a CST, even though it has all the earmarks of a CST. There were 2517 CSTs produced from 1955-1977 on the model Chief's Special, model marked 36, and the model 50(the designation for the CST). As mentioned above, Ashland Shooters Supply, Ashland , Ohio was the distributor that had originally order these guns from S&W. Your gun's serial number prefix of "AHV" is the only one in my data base having that prefix. The majority of the numbers have and "ALU" prefix. Would it be possible for you to post the full serial number for my database?
jcelect
 
I did a little digging, and could only come up with information that has already been given to you by other Forum members. The "AHV" triple alpha serial number definitely dates your Model 60-1 revolver to 1985 (the A in the s/n does not refer to Ashland). Its Product Code (102305) says: "2" barrel w/round butt, with adjustable sights. Limited production of 660 for Ashland Shooters Supply...special 1985, Model 60-1". Apparently the same Product Code was used for 2" adjustable sight Model 60-1s manufactured in 1986 that were not part of the Ashland shipment (SCSW 4th Ed., pg 262). Some Forum members have mentioned that they've seen a bunch of these Model 60 adjustable sight revolvers, so I believe that they've seen ones from 1986, and not the Ashland version like you have. Your revolver would have been shipped with checkered walnut stocks with S&W medallions. This appears to be a fairly rare and valuable revolver, but without the original box and walnut stocks, probably not worth $1000. More like $800. As others have said, if you're planning to sell it, first try the S&W Forums "Want to Sell". Dealers at gun shows (or pawn shops) will try to low ball you. Good luck.
 
Selling advice

Not many gun show buyers have access to the information you've gotten here and wouldn't appreciate what you're selling - they would just see a snubnose .38 Smith and Wesson. A savvy vendor may recognize it but only offer enough to hook you, then put it on their table at a nice markup.

If you decide to sell it, this Forum has a great classified section. Keep looking for the box/papers/cleaning kit/stocks and feature all that along with the gun in your pics. You can always list it at the higher end and drop the price every week until it sells. Maybe sleep on it for a while first; once gone it's hard to get back!

As far as confirming the gun's history, a call to the factory will give you the shipping date but nothing else. A letter from the Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation will give you that plus where/who it was originally shipped to, plus the gun's factory configuration (finish, barrel length, stocks, etc). Letters are $100 and become a very important part of the guns documentation. See the Forum link below:

Letter Request Form

Even if it doesn't turn out to be an Ashland distributed gun, it's still a very nice piece that many would be glad to own. Best wishes in your decision.

Todd
 
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jcelect said:
Your gun is not considered to be a CST, even though it has all the earmarks of a CST. There were 2517 CSTs produced from 1955-1977 on the model Chief's Special, model marked 36, and the model 50(the designation for the CST). As mentioned above, Ashland Shooters Supply, Ashland , Ohio was the distributor that had originally order these guns from S&W. Your gun's serial number prefix of "AHV" is the only one in my data base having that prefix. The majority of the numbers have and "ALU" prefix. Would it be possible for you to post the full serial number for my database?
jcelect
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jcelect - I just sent you a PM with the full serial number for your database.

It’s a little confusing because you’re saying it’s not a CST, but then the next post from Hawg Rider on the thread says that it is a CST from the 1985 block. What am I missing?

Oh, and I do believe I have those brown wooden checkered grips with the S&W medallion but they’re in a box in my storage that I’m gonna have to dig through to get. I do not think I have a blue colored box that I see pics of for Chief Special .38 Revolvers.

If it didn’t come through the Ashland group, and it’s not part of a 1986 CST group, is it possible that the chief who got it may have ordered it directly in that configuration from Smith and Wesson? He was very senior and was in the second largest sheriff department in the nation at the time.
 
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I bought an Ashland Shooting Supply that was advertised as one of 3000 run in 1985 or 86. I’m not home now so I can’t access the box or invoice. Nice gun. Should originally have magma stocks on it.
 
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