36 no dash 3" Born in 73' or 74' I think *PIC

[Slacker]

Picked this one up locally with original matching serial# diamond grips (not pictured) for $325.
Best i can figure from the list below is it was made between 73-74.
It has the "Lazy &" and is pinned. My first 3" S&W.

SN J10318x

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.
1969-1970 = J1 - J99999
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX

 

[feralmerril]

About 3 years ago I bought this one from gun broker. It is the only gun I ever bought off the net. It just was described as being in excellent condition. When I got it I found it was never fired, unopened tools, all paperwork, boxed etc. I have in my notes that it was made in 1970. I cant remember how I came to that determination. The serial # is
61J385. Am I about right? It dont seem to be marked like the above serial numbers. What gives?

 

[bluetopper]

Whew...that's better. We can see the gun now.

 

[donadler]

About 3 years ago I bought this one from gun broker. It is the only gun I ever bought off the net. It just was described as being in excellent condition. When I got it I found it was never fired, unopened tools, all paperwork, boxed etc. I have in my notes that it was made in 1970. I cant remember how I came to that determination. The serial # is
61J385. Am I about right? It dont seem to be marked like the above serial numbers. What gives?

I think that there was a period where the J in the serial # "floated", meaning it could appear anywhere in the #. If I am correct, your number could be read as a J #, 61385, which would put it in the 1969-1970 range of J1-J99999.

I will yield to others if I am wrong, but for now, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Slacker]

If the text was out of the pic it would be a lot more pleasurable to look at.

I'll PM you an address to send a check for the registration fee and I'll be sure it gets corrected.

 

[Cooter Brown]

That's a bit of a head scratcher to me. It has a newer style thumb latch, but the diamond stocks put it '68 or before.

Looks like a heavy barrel--the 36-1 designation came out in '67 and that revision denotes the 3 inch heavy barrel.

At any rate it's a nice one. I have a 36-1 from '72 and it's a nice shooting little revolver.

 

[Slacker]

That's a bit of a head scratcher to me. It has a newer style thumb latch, but the diamond stocks put it '68 or before.

Looks like a heavy barrel--the 36-1 designation came out in '67 and that revision denotes the 3 inch heavy barrel.

At any rate it's a nice one. I have a 36-1 from '72 and it's a nice shooting little revolver.

OK, now I'm curious. Here are some more pics. This 36 is definitly a no dash as stamped inside the crane. Can you guys tell me if it's a heavy bbl or not? I see the cylinder latch isn't original to the gun, but what else isn't "right"?

Is this a heavy bbl?

These grips are numbered to the gun, are they what is supposed to be on a no dash gun?

"Lazy &"

Markings on the round butt:

it also has a "02" stamped inside the yoke. Any idea what that denotes? Perhaps a replacement?

 

[ab4ka]

that's sweet! I've been jonesin' for one of these for a while. I had a chance to trade for a nice one but the guy just wanted to much. Hopefully I'll stumble across another one.

 

[rimfired]

That barrel is not a "heavy" and the numbered grips are correct but just for clarification they are not "diamond" grips. The diamond refers to an uncheckered diamond surrounding the screw escutcheons. The other markings are just production marks. Good price for a nice gun, enjoy it.

 

[linde]

That barrel is not a "heavy" and the numbered grips are correct but just for clarification they are not "diamond" grips. The diamond refers to an uncheckered diamond surrounding the screw escutcheons. The other markings are just production marks. Good price for a nice gun, enjoy it.

I totally agree with everything rimfire stated. Here are a few pictures to illustrate his points.

Russ

 

[Cooter Brown]

Rimfired and Linde have it nailed. If you look at the grips on Linde's revolvers, those are what are called "diamond" grips, with the uncheckered area around the screw.

I'm still not real sure about the thumb latch.

A nice gun that you should enjoy shooting.