1952 Chief

[damhans]

Greetings.
I recently re-acquired a revolver after my Mom's passing.
It's a 1952 (s/n 96xx) Chief Special with the I-frame size grip frame but has a ramp front sight. I bought it about 15 years ago at a local gun shop for $235. When I bougt it, the left side grip panel was a poorly hacked/fitted J-sized wood panel and the right panel was plastic with a steel clip attached for boot/pocket carry. I replaced the grips with J-frame grips, but of course they're a bit too long. I owned it for a couple months when my Mom mentioned wanting a small revolver to carry, so I gave it to her and she carried it almost every day for the past 15 years.
Beautiful little revolver - the picture doesn't do it justice.

*Edit:
Changed the s/n and year.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

First, my condolences on the loss of your Mom.

I'd say welcome aboard, but you've been lurking around here for a l-o-n-g time before deciding to post. Glad you did.

Your 5-screw Chiefs Special is probably from 1952.

S&W shipped 19 Chiefs in 1950. The highest serial number was X59, an experimental model with a 3" barrel and square butt.

The company was busy with other orders in 1951, and I've estimated perhaps 1,600 Chiefs went out that year.

I have Chiefs Special 2928, and it shipped in February 1952. With its 28xx serial number and smooth ramp front sight, yours is the lowest known serial number with that sight. Earlier Chiefs had a half-round front sight.

If you're willing to share the last two digits of the serial number with me (via a PM), I'd like to include yours in the Chiefs database on the S&W Collectors Association website -- it's anonymous -- no names or screen names. Thanks for considering it.

That's a nice one. Thanks for sharing it with us.

One other detail: the flat latch thumbpiece on your Chiefs is a more modern replacement with a ski-jump profile (1955-1959).

You can see how it would have looked in my photo.

 

[RKmesa]

Sorry to hear of your mom's passing.

That is a very nice CS and will be a great reminder to you of your mother.

All the best,

 

[damhans]

Your 5-screw Chiefs Special is probably from 1952.

S&W shipped 19 Chiefs in 1950. The highest serial number was X59, an experimental model with a 3" barrel and square butt.

The company was busy with other orders in 1951, and I've estimated perhaps 1,600 Chiefs went out that year.

Great info, thanks. I saw date ranges elsewhere on the interwebs that showed 1952 chiefs started at 7369 and assumed mine would have shipped sooner.

I'll have some better pics to post later this evening.

 

[quinn]

No baby like a chief! Beautiful...

 

[merl67]

My condolences on the loss of your mom. You have a baby chief that is now extra special.

 

[gmborkovic]

Im sure you miss your mom like I do. She also packed a heater, my
PPK in .380. She said if James Bond could carry one, so could she.
She was an OR nurse that worked nights.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

My condolences on your loss!

 

[John Patrick]

My condolences as well. Nice revolver that has a great personal history.

 

[damhans]

I need to apologize to you folks. When I made this thread I was going off memory regarding the s/n of this revolver instead of referencing my photos. This is indeed a 1952 revolver (s/n 9618 not 26xx). I edited the thread title and original post. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the condolences. Now to start my search for I-frame grips.

More pics:

 

[murphydog]

Welcome!

Feel free to post a Wanted to Buy ad here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/wanted-buy/

The postwar J frame stocks you need (walnut Magna, round butt, diamond around the stock screw) are the same as the I frame stocks of the era, so that will expand the number of parts that will fit your gun.

But also note the scammer alerts; they really don't have the stocks you need.

 

[JSR III]

Now to start my search for I-frame grips.

Condolences on the loss of your mother. My parents are both gone and I still miss them every day.

Just to clarify, the chief special is and was always built on the J frame due to the need for the larger cylinder and cylinder window due to the larger .38 special cartridge. The "baby" chiefs do have a smaller trigger guard and grip frame similar to the predecessor I frame guns but it is still a J frame. Due to comments about the small trigger guard and grip frame since this gun was preferred as a concealed carry piece by many in law enforcement, like detectives and officers, the frame and trigger guard were enlarged to accommodate a larger man's hand.

In another thread we discussed the possibility of calling the "baby" chief size guns the J frame and the larger framed guns the Improved J frame similar to the terminology used for the I frame guns.

So albeit IIRC the I frame stocks will fit a "baby" chief, technically they would not be correct. If you are lucky, you may find a set that were removed and replaced by Goodyear's on the secondary market. They are out there but don't go cheaply.

 

[Green Frog]

JSR III, I agree with what you said, but I frame grips do show up in old grip boxes, you've just got to dig around and be prepared to recognize them. In addition, there were a bunch of Jay Scott grips made for these guns, some of which looked pretty good. Damhans, I join in with the rest in extending my condolences. Your late mom sounds like quite a lady if she toted that Baby Chiefs Spl to provide self protection. I know you will cherish it along with her memories.
Froggie

 

[JMtoolman]

Sir, I sent you a message on a set of grips that might fit your Chief. Best regards, the toolman.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

When I made this thread I was going off memory regarding the s/n of this revolver instead of referencing my photos.

Oh, believe me, we all should NOT "go off memory" when we're talking about S&W's. You did just fine.

Thanks for the updated photos. That's sure a dandy. Looks like you might have a line on the correct grips. That's great.

Based on other ship dates near your serial number I'd guess S&W might have shipped your Chiefs Special in the spring of 1952. The company didn't ship in serial number order so, especially in 1952, the ship dates are all over the calendar.

 

[NavySCPO]

My sincere condolences, there is simply no loss worse than that of your Mom. Our Mom's always loved us, no matter what.

Cherish her memory.

 

[mrklbs]

Baby Chief S/N 25XXX

Baby Chief S/N 25XXX. I'm thinking produced in 1952. Anyone know if I'm close to being correct. Thank you

 

[Art66]

I doubt it due to 96XX is in 1952. 25XXX is probably much later. But I'm just some ignorant gun nut! Someone with real knowledge will probably reply soon.

Nice Baby Chief though!