38 Special Info

[Bigcoconut]

Hey there friends. I'm new to the forum because I've recently acquired an interesting gun (to me) and I want to find out as much as I can about it. All I know is that my dad got it from my grandpa who got it from a police friend/neighbor back sometime in the late 70's to early 80's I'm guessing.

I'm told its a 38 Chiefs Special revolver. At least that's the box it came in. I've not shot it yet and just wanted to pick up as much info as I can before I start trying it out. I have to clean it and oil it first. As far I know it hasn't seen a cleaning wipe or anything in that time frame.

Serial number on butt is 101537

Thanks for any help given up front. If you want more info let me know. I'm attaching some pix to help with the discernment.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Terrific first post. Great little Chiefs Special you have, and it appears to be in wonderful condition.

I'll be back shortly with some gee-whiz info.

Edited to add:

S&W designed the Chiefs Special "primarily... for plainclothesmen and off-duty police officers," according to S&W Historian Roy Jinks, in his book History of Smith & Wesson.

S&W introduced the Chiefs Special in October 1950 at the 57th annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, according to Jinks. Invoice records show serial number 6 was the first one completed.

By the time yours came around, probably in early 1957, the original round trigger guard had expanded to a larger oval, and the grip frame had grown ⅛" longer.

Two Chiefs that bracket yours in the database are 101440 and 101684. They were in a shipment of 13 Chiefs on March 25, 1957. The company didn't ship in serial number order so yours could have shipped before or after these two. S&W did not maintain manufacturing records, only shipping records.

You will find a serial number stamped inside the right wood grip. If it's original it will match the s/n on the butt. You might also find the s/n stamped on the bottom of the barrel and back of the cylinder. It was during that era when S&W stopped stamping those s/n's on the Chiefs.

If the blue box is original it should have the s/n handwritten in grease pencil on the bottom at one end. It should have a Sunburst pattern of three rays coming out of the S&W logo at the top left of the box's top.

 

[amarin]

A flat latch 36 probably manufactured in 1956. Looks to be in great shape; nice weapon.

 

[Bigcoconut]

This is great info, thanks for the feedback.

The serial number is the same on the right side hand guard. But there are no stamps or etchings on the bottom of the barrel or the cylinder. The blue box does have the three rays coming from the emblem but does not have anything hand written on it, other than the warranty printed on the inside with the date "April 15 1955".

A little more back story. My grandpa got this when he lived in N Texas, a little town North of Dallas. I remember cotton fields, slowly turning into subdivisions, all around when we used to visit when I was a kid.

 

[Rudi]

Very nice. You are lucky to have it, cherish it.

 

[Bigcoconut]

Thanks, I will. My dad recently came to me and said he has too many guns and asked if wanted any. This one and an old H&R Forty Niner were #1 & #2 on my list. We never shot the 38, not sure why. I'm not sure that my dad ever did. But my dad and I put a bunch through 22 when I was growing up.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm very happy to hear you gained a Chiefs Special and did not lose Dad in the process. Most tales 'round here don't go that way.

Cherish both.

 

[Bigcoconut]

Can any of you comment on the striker/hammer combo on this? It's a two piece construction and the striker is loose on the hammer. Appears to be a hollow roll pin assembly. This is the first time I've come across a two piece construction. Should this be "tight" with no play or is "some play" acceptable?

 

[Rudi]

Firing pins always came that way back then.

 

[JP@AK]

It is called a hammer nose; essentially a firing pin. There is no striker on these revolvers. The hammer nose was made to pivot so it would go into the channel properly, since the arc of the hammer would otherwise interfere with the nose following the channel and reaching the primer on the cartridge.

If you were to compare your revolver to a Colt SAA, for example, you would see that the SAA has a fixed firing pin on the hammer. But the channel to the rear of the chamber is a tall rectangle. That allowed the fixed firing pin to reach through the frame. S&W took a different route by allowing the hammer nose to pivot.

 

[swagmeister]

You have a fine example of an early "flat latch" Smith (meaning the cylinder release button is flat instead of rounded) in outstanding condition. The original diamond stocks are great too. Having that old original box is very good. Hold onto that one and the box also. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Hey there friends. I'm new to the forum because I've recently acquired an interesting gun (to me) and I want to find out as much as I can about it. All I know is that my dad got it from my grandpa who got it from a police friend/neighbor back sometime in the late 70's to early 80's I'm guessing.

I'm told its a 38 Chiefs Special revolver. At least that's the box it came in. I've not shot it yet and just wanted to pick up as much info as I can before I start trying it out. I have to clean it and oil it first. As far I know it hasn't seen a cleaning wipe or anything in that time frame.

Serial number on butt is 101537

Thanks for any help given up front. If you want more info let me know. I'm attaching some pix to help with the discernment.

I believe your best bet would be to send it to me for further evaluation.

 

[Bigcoconut]

So, I didn't get any pictures other than my daughter shooting the 38. This gun fires absolutely great. I was shooting Windchester 38 FMJ ammo and had zero issues. Shot about 100 rounds through it. Handles nice, a little small, but that's what it's supposed to be. I was able to put all on the bullseye at about 6-8yds out after finding the rear sight, a tiny thing on this gun. Love this little gem, it's a keeper.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Terrific first post. Great little Chiefs Special you have, and it appears to be in wonderful condition.

I'll be back shortly with some gee-whiz info.

Edited to add:

S&W designed the Chiefs Special "primarily... for plainclothesmen and off-duty police officers," according to S&W Historian Roy Jinks, in his book History of Smith & Wesson.

S&W introduced the Chiefs Special in October 1950 at the 57th annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, according to Jinks. Invoice records show serial number 6 was the first one completed.

By the time yours came around, probably in early 1957, the original round trigger guard had expanded to a larger oval, and the grip frame had grown ⅛" longer.

Two Chiefs that bracket yours in the database are 101440 and 101684. They were in a shipment of 13 Chiefs on March 25, 1957. The company didn't ship in serial number order so yours could have shipped before or after these two. S&W did not maintain manufacturing records, only shipping records.

You will find a serial number stamped inside the right wood grip. If it's original it will match the s/n on the butt. You might also find the s/n stamped on the bottom of the barrel and back of the cylinder. It was during that era when S&W stopped stamping those s/n's on the Chiefs.

If the blue box is original it should have the s/n handwritten in grease pencil on the bottom at one end. It should have a Sunburst pattern of three rays coming out of the S&W logo at the top left of the box's top.

S&W DID maintain manufacturing records. However, other than some that are owned by one of our members, we don't have access to them. Dr Jinks, the historian, only has access to the shipping records.

 

[merl67]

Welcome to the forum that's a nice one, and the box is icing on the cake. I have a similar age one not as nice as yours, but does just fine as a carry gun enjoy !

 

[DWalt]

I list 102468 as shipping on 8/18/57. But the SN indicates that it was manufactured in 1956. It is not at all unusual to have a shipping date somewhat later than the manufacturing date as S&W did not ship from factory inventory in serial number order.