A J-frame Airweight weekend

[two-bit cowboy]

On Saturday I bought 3-screw .38 Bodyguard Airweight # 89450

and

Sunday I "won" .38 Chiefs Special Airweight # 130794 (no Model number).

Neither is an earth-shattering buy, but I've long wanted one of the old Bodyguards and a Chiefs from the era around when model numbers began.

An interesting note about the Chiefs Special Airweight: one of our forum members owns 130774, and it's stamped "MOD. 37".

Although I typically am a stickler for serial numbered grips. the Chiefs Special Airweight comes with Bianchi Lightning grips, and I think they're mighty cool looking.

Thanks for dropping in. These are the sellers' photos.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Looks like Santa came early for you! So many S&Ws, so little time (and gun money!!) Those are nice. Either one looks like you could shoot all morning without killing your middle finger on the guard, especially that one on the right.

 

[dmthomp32]

Out of the J Frames, I've always been a fan of the hump backs. I carry a 649 quite a bit. Nice purchases!

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[Lonestar57]

Nice duo! Those Lightning grips are a classic but they tend to be sweat traps so keep a good cleaning routine using them especially during the summer months. Take care.

 

[jcelect]

Great find!

And the 49 has the semi high horn grips,of the 49 & 38, probably numbered to the gun! It is hard to find ANY Airweight that old without wear in the Al. frame! Now you need a 37 with he bug screw!
jcelect

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thanks, all, for the kind words.

And the 49 has the semi high horn grips,of the 49 & 38, probably numbered to the gun! It is hard to find ANY Airweight that old without wear in the Al. frame! Now you need a 37 with he bug screw!
jcelect

The Airweight humpback isn't model marked. Yes, the grips number to it.

My early .38 Chiefs Special Airweights with the aluminum cylinder include a round butt without and a square butt with the retainer screw. Both are from the 2xxxx serial number series and shipped in '53.

The one I covet but have never seen is a .38 Bodyguard with four screws from their first year -- 1955.

 

[jcelect]

pre37

You been in my safe? ! ? NO........wait a minute............ yours is a SB w/ AL cylinder! Mine is a RB w/steel cylinder #45155

jcelect