age of mod 36?

[deltacharliebravo]

I am looking at a model 36, appears new. it is in the box with cleaning kit and info. card dated 1955 ser # 485 68_ can any one help determine age?

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome DCB.

If the serial number has six digits it is most likely mid-1960s.
You can call S&W at 800 331-0852 and customer service can narrow that date down a bit.

 

[jbouwens]

If the gun has a flat latch and does not have a J in front of the serial number then 1954-1955 sounds about right.

And Welcome to the forum.

 

[peyton]

I have the same question about the 36 I have, it is a flat latch SN 2J827X, my daughter carries it and she provided the SN from the bottom of grip (handle).

 

[deltacharliebravo]

What is flat latch? how do I determine?

 

[deltacharliebravo]

age of mod.36

I don't know how to determine if it has a flat latch? it has two screws on right side, a pinned barrel,mod.36 on frame under cylinder swivel,it also has a z and some numbers on cylinder swivel. I have read that S&W started model designation in 1957. Any help is appreciated

 

[s&wchad]

A picture's worth 1000 words!

This Chiefs Special has a flatlatch cylinder release and dates to around 1953. It also has "diamond" grips (that uncheckered area around the escutcheons). The flatlatch style release was dropped around 1966 and the diamonds were eliminated around 1967-68. Always get serial numbers off the butt of S&W's.
Serial number 48,568 would date to around 1954, but I read your serial number as 485,68X, which would be late 1960's.

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Below is a Bodyguard with the post-1966 style cylinder release latch and non-diamond stocks. This one dates to 1971-72 and has a "J" in the serial number.

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peyton,
2J827X is the roving J series from 1971-72. The range is 1J1 - 999J99 with no more than 6 characters in the serial number.

 

[deltacharliebravo]

I see the differance now my latch is different it is raised. The info. card in the box was dated 1955 which made me wonder. Thanks David

 

[peyton]

Thanks for the info. A friend bought it from a retired judge, and then decided he wanted a tupperware gun instead. It currently is in Alaska with my daughter.