38 special model verification

[Engineer1911]

She is your Mom

Give Mom $650 and get this gem shipped to you, or take a road trip and pick it up in person. Don't quibble about dollars, just pay her too much and you bought a fine S&W a little early! She is your mother.

 

[CatboatWilly]

I want to second what Engineer 1911 said. Just give your Mom a hand full of with $500. dollars and a dozen roses at the same time. This is a wonderful gun with a family history. It's an early Model 60.
Would sell for $650.00 at the Local G Shop.......

 

[linde]

Time-Out for a teachable moment

While we're awaiting Virginian to return with Model 60 in-hand I thought it a good time to clarify with pictures the confusion over serial numbers versus assembly numbers . . . and inspector and fitters marks.

Here is a Model 60 from circa 1984 . . . newer than the OP's since it does not have a barrel pin that was eliminated circa 1981.

This first picture is of the frame cutout showing MOD 60 and the yoke showing the assembly number 15495. Note there is no serial number in the yoke cutout . . . that didn't start showing up in J frames until the early to mid-1990s. It also shows C4 and S on the yoke . . . both fitter or inspector marks.




This second picture is of the left side of the frame showing the matching assembly number 15495 so the yoke can be mated with the correct frame. Note the same fitter/inspector marks on the frame as well as a sneak-peak at the butt of the gun showing the serial number AEV6319.




And finally here is a full-view (although fuzzy) picture of that serial number on the butt of the grip frame.




Russ

 

[George_in_SD]

My bet is that is the incorrect serial number and it is a model 60.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Is there some possibility that the grips are Mustang grips?

 

[dogngun]

Where did you find the serial number? There were no model 60's in 1957. That was the year they started stamping the model number Iunder the crane.

Look under the crane to see if there is a model number. Remove the grips and look on the bottom of the grip frame for the serial number.

Either that is not the serial number and you have model 60. Or, you have 36 or it's antecedent that has been refinished.

Also, those grips may be Fuzzy Farrant's, which in themselves may be worth $150+

Adios,

Pizza Bob

I have a set of those exact same grips-a little big, but the best Chief Special grip I have ever held...No longer have the gun, but kept the grips...

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Virginian, I vote with the guys who say pay her a good amount of money, the gun is worth it and giving to your mom is worth it. Then never think about selling it. You will have a gun that has been in the family since it was new and you have a wonderful history of why it was purchased. Your great-grandchildren can expect to have that handed down and still be in working order.

 

[-Virginian-]

All,

Here's an update on this mystery of this J frame. I did purchase it from my mother today and have it in front of me for further questions if need be. The good news is I found the original box, owners manual, warranty card and grips. Is .38 Chiefs Special Stainless Model No. 60. Inside the box it is dated April 15, 1955 (I assume that is the born on date?)

Here's a few pictures.

Eric

 

[-Virginian-]

Regarding if the grips are Fuzzy Farrant's, I can't add anything to this. There are no markings inside and out.

 

[Jaymo]

That is sweet

 

[-Virginian-]

And a few more...



The trigger does appear to be hardened, or certainly a different color steel.

 

[-Virginian-]

Eric;
I will put on my Carnac the Magnificent turban and guess this number falls between 475,000 and 500,000. Is this correct?

Alan,

Good guess! 476XXX

Eric

 

[-Virginian-]

I want to second what Engineer 1911 said. Just give your Mom a hand full of with $500. dollars and a dozen roses at the same time. This is a wonderful gun with a family history. It's an early Model 60.
Would sell for $650.00 at the Local G Shop.......

That's exactly what I did.

Eric

 

[murphydog]

Carnac peeked in the jar under Funk and Wagnalls porch .

This is an early one with the case hardened stainless trigger. The usual model 60 trigger was flash chromed forged (standard) steel.

Very nice. Enjoy!

 

[murphydog]

It is likely a 1967 gun; the very earliest model 60 production had the uncheckered diamond around the stock screw. The extra stocks appear to be rosewood but I do not think they are Farrants.

 

[Retired W4]

As to the statement on the inside of the box, with the 1955 date, it appeared there for many years and has nothing to do with the manufacture or ship date. Nice older model 60. Fuzzy usually plugged the hole on one side of the grips rather than showing the escutcheon.

 

[-Virginian-]

As to the statement on the inside of the box, with the 1955 date, it appeared there for many years and has nothing to do with the manufacture or ship date. Nice older model 60. Fuzzy usually plugged the hole on one side of the grips rather than showing the escutcheon.

Many thanks for your insight.

Eric

 

[-Virginian-]

All,

Just a follow up on this old post. I have shot several hundred rounds out of this gem and it sure is a sweet shooter. Once again, many thanks to all the folks that helped me out on this journey. I have spent some time on the range with Mrs. V and she prefers this for home defense. We shall own this fine pistol until I take my last breath.

Eric

 

[SG-688]

Regarding if the grips are Fuzzy Farrant's, I can't add anything to this. There are no markings inside and out.

Those are Mustang grips. The bottom and right top profile are wrong for Farrant.

 

[millerj7]

Those are Mustang grips. The bottom and right top profile are wrong for Farrant.

My Model 60-4 has Mustang grips, which I really like! It appears to be the same shape, just walnut material.
Jim