The box and paperwork say 38 Chief's Special, Model 36 round butt, yet stamped on the frame inside the cylinder is mod 32-1. On the bottom of the butt is stamped R13278. Box says model 36, pin B, 2 in barrel, stock R, and serial number J977XX. Printed inside box is date April 15, 1955. So is it a J-frame model 36 or a model 32-1?
38 Chiefs Special Model 36
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bassetman1974
Member
Think your box and gun do not match. Model 32-1 is 38 S&W not 38 Special, two different cartridges.
ar15ed
Member
definitely a 32-1 (a terrier) in 38 s&w, made in 1969. it is just in the wrong box.
welcome to the forum!
ed
welcome to the forum!
ed
Well it is a .38 Chief's Special, just not a .38 Special Chief's Special. 
Hard telling how it got switched around but I doubt it came that way from S&W. Most likely the previous owner just bought the cardboard somewhere to store his gun in? Or maybe the guns got put in the wrong boxes when his collection was sold - or just the lids of the boxes? Who knows? Do you plan to shoot it?
Hard telling how it got switched around but I doubt it came that way from S&W. Most likely the previous owner just bought the cardboard somewhere to store his gun in? Or maybe the guns got put in the wrong boxes when his collection was sold - or just the lids of the boxes? Who knows? Do you plan to shoot it?
Great little gun. You are gonna love that Terrier.
My father bought it new. Not sure he shot it more than once - I have 3 boxes of ammo, with one bullet missing. I would like to use it, not sure if it will take +P ammo though. The box clearly states model 36 so maybe the gun dealer gave him the model 32 in the model 36 box? I'll try getting some pictures.
jbinwa
Member
Your revolver is chambered for the 38 Smith and Wesson Cartridge. 38 S&W is somewhat less powerful than 38 Special. It Is NOT a Smith and Wesson 38 Special nor is it interchangable with 38 Special. To my knowledge 38 Smith and Wesson cartridge was never manufactured in +P.
To confirm caliber look on side of barrel. It should say 38 S&W Ctg.
You can confirm the ammunition in the three boxes by reading the imprint on the rim of the cartridges. If that imprint reads 38 Special do not attempt to shoot it in your 32-1. If someone mixed up the box and pistol they may well have mixed up the ammunition in the box as well.
No one makes 38 S&W ammunition new as far as I know. However 38 S&W reloads are available. Check the Internet if you want more than the 3 boxes you have. You will go through them quick as the 38 S&W
is a fun cartridge to shoot. Given the current political climate you might want to order several boxes before some knucklehead politicians try to cut out Internet ammo sales.
If you want to try reloading, die sets are still available though you gotta look a little. Lee may be the best bet for in stock dies. A diligent search on ebay will turn up a set eventually as well. Measure the dia. of the lead on your existing ammunition. 38 S&W used to measure .360. However the reloads I purchased are 146 gr. round nose all lead with a .358 dia. and shoot quite well in my 4" model 33-1. My Lee 38 S&W reloading information indicates a bullet of .358 dia. can be used. Firing bumps up the dia. of the bullet enough to catch the lands in the barrel and make it accurate. Reloading information including powders and powder charges is available on the Internet and in some older reloading manuals.
To confirm caliber look on side of barrel. It should say 38 S&W Ctg.
You can confirm the ammunition in the three boxes by reading the imprint on the rim of the cartridges. If that imprint reads 38 Special do not attempt to shoot it in your 32-1. If someone mixed up the box and pistol they may well have mixed up the ammunition in the box as well.
No one makes 38 S&W ammunition new as far as I know. However 38 S&W reloads are available. Check the Internet if you want more than the 3 boxes you have. You will go through them quick as the 38 S&W
is a fun cartridge to shoot. Given the current political climate you might want to order several boxes before some knucklehead politicians try to cut out Internet ammo sales.
If you want to try reloading, die sets are still available though you gotta look a little. Lee may be the best bet for in stock dies. A diligent search on ebay will turn up a set eventually as well. Measure the dia. of the lead on your existing ammunition. 38 S&W used to measure .360. However the reloads I purchased are 146 gr. round nose all lead with a .358 dia. and shoot quite well in my 4" model 33-1. My Lee 38 S&W reloading information indicates a bullet of .358 dia. can be used. Firing bumps up the dia. of the bullet enough to catch the lands in the barrel and make it accurate. Reloading information including powders and powder charges is available on the Internet and in some older reloading manuals.
I buy 38 S&W cartridges new on line. They are available. Some large gun shops probably gave some too. It is a fun little gun. Enjoy and welcome to the forum.
alaskavett
US Veteran
My local grocery store always has Remington .38 S&W on the shelf at $38.95 a box... I know as I have several older S&W's that digest it just fine. Kyle
alaskavett
US Veteran
My local grocery store always has Remington .38 S&W on the shelf at $38.95 a box... I know as I have several older S&W's that digest it just fine. Kyle
hotrod150
Member
Interesting that this model 32-1 has an "R" serial number- I thought those were all model 60's. Pulling out my SCSW, it seems to indicate that this particular s/n should be a 1969-shipped model 60 or 651.
Hmmmm.....another S&W "exception that proves the rule"?
Hmmmm.....another S&W "exception that proves the rule"?
ar15ed
Member
i am thinking it is an "H".
ed
ed
H is the model 30, 31 & 32, R is the Model 60. There is an error in the SCSW that states that in 1969 the model 32 starts with R prefix. (page 205 3rd edition SCSW) But that was in fact the model 60. The mistake is corrected in the back of the book were the model #'s and S/N ranges are. Prior to 1969 it was #'d as a general J frame without any Letter prefix with all other J frames like the model 30, 31, 32, 36,37..etc.
Not that it matters that much, but I may break down and send the info to Smith & Wesson and pay for the 'official' manufacturing data. Thanks for the replies. Oh, and I did get some S&W 38 at a local gun show. I think it was $22.00 a box. Mabe I should have bought more?!!?!
hotrod150
Member
Looked in one of my reloading books and it looks like other than a rim that is a whisker thinner, the 38 S&W cartridge should fit into and work OK in a 38 spl revolver. I was thinking that might be a viable option as a mild-recoiling load for a newby or frail person to shoot in a lightweight snubby. If 38 S&W ammo is available for $22 per 50 round box, the price is certainly not prohibitive.
I need a little help. Just received yesterday.
model 036 38 Spl serial number BKV2034. Box and gun numbers match. Handwritten inside box lid is HBKV2034.
Packhmayer grips and appears it may have never been fired.
Any info and possible value appreciated.
model 036 38 Spl serial number BKV2034. Box and gun numbers match. Handwritten inside box lid is HBKV2034.
Packhmayer grips and appears it may have never been fired.
Any info and possible value appreciated.
Forgot, I also have a Cobra sr #884481 PAC Mayer and original wood grips. Excellent condition
OLDSTER
Member
Welcome to the forum from North Dakota. Lots of true S&W experts ( not including me) here really make this a great forum.
ar15ed
Member
probably jan or feb 1992 on the BKV2034 36. i would estimate 400 or so for a value, maybe a tad more if it also has the original grips.
i don't know what to make of the cobra serial number. i assume it is a colt cobra. should have an "LW", maybe above it or below it, and i haven't ever seen one with more than 5 numerical digits. if you could post a pic or two, it would probably help!
welcome to the forum!
ed
i don't know what to make of the cobra serial number. i assume it is a colt cobra. should have an "LW", maybe above it or below it, and i haven't ever seen one with more than 5 numerical digits. if you could post a pic or two, it would probably help!
welcome to the forum!
ed
