Unique Mod.36 stamp on frame

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Jbm3

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Hello fellow gun owners 👋
I just purchased a 1982, model 60 w/polished stainless steel, not flat/reflective like crome and has case hardened hammer/ trigger. 1.875 barrel wood grips checkered no diamond in center. Took grips off verified matching numbers on frame match numbers on cylinder lever. All found to be all factory constructed, screws show no dissembling indications. But… behind cylinder lever I have a MOD.36 stamp on frame??? S/N AVV83••
 
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1987 – AFL, AHC, AHV, ALC, ANK, ANN, ANR, ANS, AUC, AUK, AUV, AVA, AVB, AVN, AVV, AVY, AWD, AWE, AWF, AWP, AWT, AWU, AWW, AWY, AYE, AYF, AYL, AYW

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 491). (Function). Kindle Edition.

My book shows an "AVV" prefix associated being made in 1987, but this is only a book and S&W should have exact records for a specific revolver.

I'm not skilled or knowledgeable enough to tell the difference between a chrome, nickel, or stainless steel revolver, especially without pictures, or know how common S&W may have mis-stamped a model number onto a revolver frame.

I'm also used to seeing a dash number on the stamp unless it'd be a no-dash model. Maybe someone else on here can advise.

Post 3 has some very good info.
 
Last edited:
two-bit cowboy said:
Sounds like you have a nickel Model 36, not a stainless steel
Model 60.

Check the bottom of the barrel for an S stamp and the back of the
cylinder for a V stamp. If those stamps aren't there, it's a carbon
steel Model 36.
Click to expand...

I thought it might be nickel plated. Not a Model 60. Was told it was a model 60. It cleaned up nicely. How does it compare to the 60 ? From pics it looks same, just not stainless. So the AVV could be a 1987. Thank you sir 💯
 
L-2 said:
1987 – AFL, AHC, AHV, ALC, ANK, ANN, ANR, ANS, AUC, AUK, AUV, AVA, AVB, AVN, AVV, AVY, AWD, AWE, AWF, AWP, AWT, AWU, AWW, AWY, AYE, AYF, AYL, AYW

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 491). (Function). Kindle Edition.

My book shows an "AVV" prefix associated being made in 1987, but this is only a book and S&W should have exact records for a specific revolver.

I'm not skilled or knowledgeable enough to tell the difference between a chrome, nickel, or stainless steel revolver, especially without pictures, or know how common S&W may have mis-stamped a model number onto a revolver frame.

I'm also used to seeing a dash number on the stamp unless it'd be a no-dash model. Maybe someone else on here can advise.

Post 3 has some very good info.
Click to expand...

When at pawn shop my buddy did look in book and said it was 1987 build. But also told me was a Model 60 not a Mod 36. Thank for responce
 
With a few (early and late production) exceptions, 2" barrel model 60s came with satin chrome plated hammers and triggers. So color case-hardened parts strongly suggest it is a model 36, along with the model stamping. ;)
 
Jbm3 said:
From pics it looks same, just not stainless.
Click to expand...

Exactly correct. The original carbon steel J-frame became the
Chiefs Special in 1950. It was available with a blue or nickel finish.
Next in late 1952 came the aluminum alloy framed Chiefs Special
Airweight. The company assigned model numbers to its models in
June 1957 and began applying them in 1958. The carbon steel
model became the Model 36, and the Airweight became the Model
37. Finally in 1965 Smith & Wesson pioneered the world's first all
stainless steel handgun in the Chiefs Special Model 60.
 
Well a magnet sticks to it, answers that question😂 Hail to the Chief 🫡 honestly I prefer nickel plated steel. All it needed was a good cleaning and shines bright, few minor sketches.
Thank you all for your input 💯Im happy with my $400 pawn shop find👍
 
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