According to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, S&W issued the order to assign model numbers on June 12, 1957. I list about 200 Chiefs Specials and Chiefs Special Airweights that likely shipped between the order date and when the first Chiefs Special MOD. 36 and MOD. 37 appeared in September 1958.
My newest Model 36 is s/n 126017, the first Chiefs Special marked “MOD. 36” I’ve seen, and Dr. Jinks said it shipped in September 1958. (1st & 2nd photos, it came with no-diamond magnas from the early ‘70s so I put on the Sambars.) Previously s/n 132293 had been the first MOD. 36 on my list. I don’t know its ship date.
One of the most notable features of my new MOD. 36 is the placement of the assembly number stamp on the frame -- the assembly number is stamped above the model number. (3rd photo.)
Prior to model numbers being stamped in the yoke cutout the assembly number was stamped there so two of the three assembly numbers could be seen with the cylinder rolled out -- one on the frame and one on the yoke (the 3rd assembly number is on the inside of the side plate).
Even before model numbers began – I thought -- frame assembly numbers moved to the bottom left side of the grip frame (on J-frames, at least). I learned this on the forum a few years ago. For example, I have Chiefs Special Airweight s/n 130794 (not marked MOD. 37, shipped in August 1958) (4th photo), and the assembly number on its frame is stamped in the new location, even though the frame in the yoke cutout is blank.
Update: I heard from a friend who owns the first known model stamped Chiefs Special Airweight "MOD. 37." His is 20 s/n's lower than mine and shipped in September 1958. The yoke cut is only stamped with the model number, not the assembly number.
S&W oddities tickle me, and this latest addition to the herd offers a new twist to help me document the evolution of the Chiefs Special model.
Have you seen a model-stamped S&W with the assembly number stamped on the frame above the model number? Let’s see ‘em, please.
My newest Model 36 is s/n 126017, the first Chiefs Special marked “MOD. 36” I’ve seen, and Dr. Jinks said it shipped in September 1958. (1st & 2nd photos, it came with no-diamond magnas from the early ‘70s so I put on the Sambars.) Previously s/n 132293 had been the first MOD. 36 on my list. I don’t know its ship date.
One of the most notable features of my new MOD. 36 is the placement of the assembly number stamp on the frame -- the assembly number is stamped above the model number. (3rd photo.)
Prior to model numbers being stamped in the yoke cutout the assembly number was stamped there so two of the three assembly numbers could be seen with the cylinder rolled out -- one on the frame and one on the yoke (the 3rd assembly number is on the inside of the side plate).
Even before model numbers began – I thought -- frame assembly numbers moved to the bottom left side of the grip frame (on J-frames, at least). I learned this on the forum a few years ago. For example, I have Chiefs Special Airweight s/n 130794 (not marked MOD. 37, shipped in August 1958) (4th photo), and the assembly number on its frame is stamped in the new location, even though the frame in the yoke cutout is blank.
Update: I heard from a friend who owns the first known model stamped Chiefs Special Airweight "MOD. 37." His is 20 s/n's lower than mine and shipped in September 1958. The yoke cut is only stamped with the model number, not the assembly number.
S&W oddities tickle me, and this latest addition to the herd offers a new twist to help me document the evolution of the Chiefs Special model.
Have you seen a model-stamped S&W with the assembly number stamped on the frame above the model number? Let’s see ‘em, please.
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