3" Model 36 Square Butt, General Questions

[mattbroj]

So, like many I have decided to join these forums in hopes of getting some help on a recent acquisition. I just picked up my first J-Frame gun and have a few general questions about it. First and foremost like many others I am trying to put a date to it. As far as I can tell it appears to be a 1968 as the s/n is 634xxx.

Second, and more importantly, the gun is neither blue nor nickel. It appears to be a parkerized type finish and I have yet to see another one like it. See below:

It also appears to be a double stamped frame:

Did S&W ever introduce this gun with a parkerized finish? If not I can safely assume that mine was refinished, however considering what I paid I will still be fairly happy with it.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It appears to be an aftermarket finish, but the underlying metal wasn't damaged or overly polished, looks nice. Enjoy!

 

[Engine49guy]

Several versions of the 3" Chiefs special were offered in blue, nickel and SS with fixed sites as well as a few target site models in both tapered barrel as well as Heavy barrel profiles.

Yours is the square butt narrow rib version with tall front site and agree it appears to have been refinished,
If you remove the grips there will be a serial number stamped inside the right panel, if that number matches the serial on the heel they are original to the gun but my guess is not as they have the smaller 70's era checkering.

Great little guns that look like miniature M&P's

 

[mattbroj]

The grips are a set that I had lying around the shop, they are not original to the gun, although I would like to find a nice set of diamonds to put on it. I think the diamond look against the dull/parkerized finish would look great.

 

[gmborkovic]

I can not speak on the finish. I have a 36-1 RB 3" HB Sn. 461325
shipped Sept. 1967. I will say, you have a great hip pocket carry gun.
That appears to be a very durable finish. No steady diet of +P ammo. Try 7 yds. just to see. Nice snag.

 

[mattbroj]

Absolutely, I really grabbed it because of how it looked. I have had a handful of S&W wheel guns (29-3, 681, 19, 442) and this just had to go into the safe. My full size M&P 40 is usually my daily companion and if the weather allows for shorts I opt for the Shield or 442. This one will mainly be a range toy. I picked it up with an original S&W Blazer holster for $250 OTD.

 

[DAinTX]

Great price. Nice gun. Looks to be refinished, but appears to be a good job.

 

[KEN L]

In regards to the double stamped model number, it happens. It doesn't add to nor detract from the value. Good looking gun. Good eye on the checkering Engine49guy!

 

[Will Carry]

That's a fine looking J Frame! One of the things I have noticed about my 36 3" is, get this, it is the fastest handgun I have to "deploy" (Yanking the smoke wagon). It's that little square butt. It's more like grabbing a knife handle when you are used to Glocks, and it comes up pointing where it's shooting. I had a tournament to see which handgun was the fastest to grab, draw and shoot. I got all my concealed carry handguns, with their holsters and got in front of the Living Room mirror. I tested 2 handguns at a time for how quickly I could draw and get off an aimed shot. In the test I eliminated the one of the two that was slowest. At the end of the test, that little model 36 was the winner. I couldn't believe it. I started practicing with it and I carry it often. Mine looks like this.......

Of course when my wife got home she said "What happened to the mirror?"

 

[mattbroj]

Will Cary what part of the northern state do you hail from? I have a someone I know near me that has described building a bun just like the one you have pictured....