Age and Value of Dad's Model 36-1

[JPA38]

I've inherited my Dad's S&W Model 36-1, and I believe it has never been fired. It's fitted with Bianchi Gunleather-brand Lightning grips. On the yoke, I read
86x32
and then C12 is stamped below it. When I removed the grips, I found this number on the bottom: J840464

Can anyone tell me when this gun was manufactured? (If it's older than 1980, I apologize for asking in the wrong forum.)

Can anyone advise me on the market value of it?

Thanks, all.
JPA

 

[robertrwalsh]

The J number is the serial #. The other numbers are assembly numbers used by the factory and have no meaning once the gun is assembled. Condition would have a great deal to do with the price though the Bianchi Lightning grips are unusual enough to have a modest value by themselves. Smith and Wesson kept track of shipping dates, not manufacturing dates, though on a relatively popular gun the two were often close together. There is a pretty good chance the ship date is late 1981. We have a REALLY GOOD chiefs special guy here on the site, the Two-Bit Cowboy, who will very likely be along to give you much better info than I can. He has listings for tons of Chiefs Specials. Accessories if any, like original box and papers, would add to the value. I recently bought a really, really clean one, probably a sock drawer gun, for $750, gun only, and considered that to be as reasonable price in CA.

 

[Nightowl]

It is my understanding that the 36-1s all had 3 inch barrels. There were fewer made than the standard 2 inch version. Someone much more knowledgeable will be along with more info!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

I extend my most sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad.

Robert hit the year--1981--and from the crazy swings in ones on
both sides of your serial number I cannot offer a season within the
year when yours might have shipped.

What is the finish? (Blue or nickel)

Which butt does it have? (Round or square)

It most likely has a pin through the top front of the frame to
secure the barrel, and the S&W logo on the left side of the
frame is probably the small one. The company eliminated the
barrel pin and changed the logo to a large one in or about 1982.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I've inherited my Dad's S&W Model 36-1, and I believe it has never been fired. It's fitted with Bianchi Gunleather-brand Lightning grips. On the yoke, I read
86x32
and then C12 is stamped below it. When I removed the grips, I found this number on the bottom: J840464

Can anyone tell me when this gun was manufactured? (If it's older than 1980, I apologize for asking in the wrong forum.)

Can anyone advise me on the market value of it?

Thanks, all.
JPA

Welcome to the Forum and sorry for the loss of your Dad. If you are a gun guy you will definitely be pleased with this popular model.
If you're a take-it-or-leave it person when it comes to arms, it may be best to just put it away for either your own possible future appreciation or else as a very nice keepsake to a family member.

Of course it's yours to do with as you see fit, just keep in mind that once Dad's guns are gone, they may never come back. After my Dad passed I was fortunate enough to repurchase the NIB 2 1/2" Model 66 that he had once sold to a friend of mine. I doubt he had put more than a box or two of .357 ammo through it and I insisted on paying him more than he originally bought it for - it meant that much to me. My brother had his 4" model from Dad stolen and was near tears when I then gave it to him. Reunions like that aren't too common.

Food for thought,
Todd

 

[colt_saa]

I've inherited my Dad's S&W Model 36-1, and I believe it has never been fired. It's fitted with Bianchi Gunleather-brand Lightning grips. On the yoke, I read
86x32
and then C12 is stamped below it. When I removed the grips, I found this number on the bottom: J840464

Can anyone tell me when this gun was manufactured? (If it's older than 1980, I apologize for asking in the wrong forum.)

Can anyone advise me on the market value of it?

Thanks, all.
JPA

Welcome to the Forum

As has already been mentioned, your revolver was most likely manufactured in 1981.

In order to get the actual shipping date, you would need to request a factory letter. There is no published list of shipping dates

in addition to the model variations two-bit cowboy has already asked you about, we would additionally need to know if your revolver has fixed sites or adjustable sites as this dramatically alters the value of the firearm

My Model 36-1 Chief's Special Target is one of my favorite revolvers

 

[bobsguns]

I agree with the $750-800 value. A little more in some places, a little less in others.

 

[JPA38]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

I extend my most sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad.

Robert hit the year--1981--and from the crazy swings in ones on
both sides of your serial number I cannot offer a season within the
year when yours might have shipped.

What is the finish? (Blue or nickel)

Which butt does it have? (Round or square)

It most likely has a pin through the top front of the frame to
secure the barrel, and the S&W logo on the left side of the
frame is probably the small one. The company eliminated the
barrel pin and changed the logo to a large one in or about 1982.

This one has a blue finish. When I removed the grips, the underlying butt was squared off.

Here's a photo that may show the pin and logo you reference.

 

[JPA38]

Yes, I believe this is a 3-inch.

 

[JPA38]

The sights are fixed. I'll attach photos. (Next time, I'll post the photos in my original post.)

 

[JPA38]

I don't have the original presentation box, if there was one. However, I'm relatively certain it's never been fired. The reason is, I also have the original box of cartridges Dad purchased with the gun, a box of 50 38 special 130 grain FMJ, from Don's Guns in Indianapolis, price tag says $29.99. If the gun has not been fired, is it any more valuable?

 

[AudieMurphy]

if it really was your fathers gun....how can you put a price on it? seriously

 

[kbm6893]

I don't have the original presentation box, if there was one. However, I'm relatively certain it's never been fired. The reason is, I also have the original box of cartridges Dad purchased with the gun, a box of 50 38 special 130 grain FMJ, from Don's Guns in Indianapolis, price tag says $29.99. If the gun has not been fired, is it any more valuable?

$30 for a box of 50 fmj rounds in 1981? I don’t think so.

 

[wproct]

Welcome to the Forum and sorry for the loss of your Dad. If you are a gun guy you will definitely be pleased with this popular model.
If you're a take-it-or-leave it person when it comes to arms, it may be best to just put it away for either your own possible future appreciation or else as a very nice keepsake to a family member.

Of course it's yours to do with as you see fit, just keep in mind that once Dad's guns are gone, they may never come back. After my Dad passed I was fortunate enough to repurchase the NIB 2 1/2" Model 66 that he had once sold to a friend of mine. I doubt he had put more than a box or two of .357 ammo through it and I insisted on paying him more than he originally bought it for - it meant that much to me. My brother had his 4" model from Dad stolen and was near tears when I then gave it to him. Reunions like that aren't too common.

Food for thought,
Todd

I love gun stories and this is a great one!

 

[wproct]

Those are interesting grips that I have never seen before, but they hide the beauty of the revolver too much for me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for my post to be critical. That's a really nice revolver for sure with great memories for you.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I've inherited my Dad's S&W Model 36-1, and I believe it has never been fired. It's fitted with Bianchi Gunleather-brand Lightning grips. On the yoke, I read
86x32
and then C12 is stamped below it. When I removed the grips, I found this number on the bottom: J840464

Can anyone tell me when this gun was manufactured? (If it's older than 1980, I apologize for asking in the wrong forum.)

Can anyone advise me on the market value of it?

Thanks, all.
JPA

Welcome to the Forum and I am also sorry for the loss of your Dad.
My dad carried S&W 36-1 in the Finnish "Highway Patrol" for many years before it was replaced by a G17. it's shame that the revolver belonged to the Finnish government and it was probably scrapped.

I bought a similar one a couple of years ago.

Mod 36 3" and 13 3" was common duty revolvers In Finland 1970's - 1990's

 

[bobsguns]

If the gun has not been fired, is it any more valuable?

Generally speaking, yes.

 

[JPA38]

if it really was your fathers gun....how can you put a price on it? seriously

I’m administering his estate for my siblings, and they have claim to it, too. Just trying to get an idea of the market value to report back to the heirs, to see whether they prefer it be sold, to add funds to the estate we all share, or whether one heir wants to keep the gun itself, as part of their share of the estate.

Though my Dad owned it, he never shot the gun, and he was generally opposed to gun ownership. It wasn’t a topic we bonded over. I think Dad bought this gun at the urging of my sister’s husband, who was a law enforcement office. So, no real sentimental value. I’m just trying to do right by my siblings.


I really appreciate everyone’s comments here. I couldn’t get this information anywhere else.

 

[JPA38]

$30 for a box of 50 fmj rounds in 1981? I don’t think so.

And you’re correct, and I was wrong. The ammo box carries a copyright date of 2008, that I failed to notice earlier.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I’m administering his estate for my siblings, and they have claim to it, too. Just trying to get an idea of the market value to report back to the heirs, to see whether they prefer it be sold, to add funds to the estate we all share, or whether one heir wants to keep the gun itself, as part of their share of the estate.

Though my Dad owned it, he never shot the gun, and he was generally opposed to gun ownership. It wasn’t a topic we bonded over. I think Dad bought this gun at the urging of my sister’s husband, who was a law enforcement office. So, no real sentimental value. I’m just trying to do right by my siblings.


I really appreciate everyone’s comments here. I couldn’t get this information anywhere else.

This is definitely the right place to ask about S&W guns, there are experts here.
That's why I read this every day, I learn something new every day about the S&W guns I've owned for over 30 years.