Bright blue pre-36??

[axl911]

Does a blue pre-36 model come in bright finish? I thought they only come in a satiny finish.

Check out this GB auction.

Smith Wesson Pre-36 Bright Blue 5-screw 38 Sp RARE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[chief38]

All the Pre-M36 Revolvers I have seen have been in the satin blue finish or Nickel. I would be suspect of a refinish job on a pre M36 that is Bright Blue. I suppose the Factory could have done it as a special run or special request, so I would think the best way to really get the truth is to give Roy Jinx a call and ask. With S&W you just never know! If possible get the serial #.

 

[Hondo44]

If possible get the serial #.

Serial # shown in his attached link: 38199 with shipping date of 1954. And about a year out of sequence for this vintage.

 

[Hondo44]

Does a blue pre-36 model come in bright finish? I thought they only come in a satiny finish.

Check out this GB auction.

Smith Wesson Pre-36 Bright Blue 5-screw 38 Sp RARE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I agree with Chief, and although scarce, the bright blue is known on this model. I have no doubt that one is original.

However, it's a "Baby J", incorrectly labeled a pre model in the auction. Pre model 36s are the Models of 1953 full size Chiefs Specials. Bright blue was standardized not long after the pre models were introduced with the Model of 1953 features.

 

[axl911]

Educate me. I thought pre-36s are baby J. With the shorter grips, more rounded trigger guard, and half moon or ramped sights.

And they come with satiny blue finish.

So....what's the diff between pre-36s and baby J?

And what is the finish on pre-36?

 

[Absalom]

Educate me. I thought pre-36s are baby J. With the shorter grips, more rounded trigger guard, and half moon or ramped sights.

And they come with satiny blue finish.

So....what's the diff between pre-36s and baby J?

And what is the finish on pre-36?

Hondo44 already answered your questions in his last post. What collectors call a pre-Model 36 is dimensionally and feature-wise identical to the Model 36, was however produced between 1953 and 1957, when S&W adopted the numbering system.

 

[Hondo44]

"A Pre-model is any named model that incorporates all design changes that immediately precede when the company adopted the model numbering system."

In collector 'verbal shorthand', the term Pre-Model came about as a way of differentiating between a gun that was stamped with a model # and one made before # stamping began, but was otherwise the identical gun.

So instead of having to say, for example: "I have a gun just like a Model 36 but it's not stamped Mod 36", it was shortened to: "I have a Pre-Mod 36".

That tells the listener immediately that it's not a Baby J. It has to be a Model of 1953 .38 Chiefs Special. If you used the term pre model for both a Baby J and a M1953, further conversation is then required to establish what's really being discussed or for sale!

Screw count 6, 5, 4, or 3 screw (depending on the frame size) is further used to distinguish between Pre Models. There is a Pre-Model 36 (Model of 1953) 4 screw and a 3 screw.

The actual definition of the true "Pre-model" collector term meaning should not be confused with the generic meaning of "pre".

In other words, in the generic sense any .38 cal. K frame S&W back to 1899 can be called a pre Model 10 but loses all the collector "Pre-model" term's benefits which are to describe revolvers that are exactly the same as numbered models but not yet stamped with a model number. Please click on the yellow '3' in the upper right of my name bar for a lot more detail.

The 'bright blue' finish did approximately correspond with the Model of 1953.

 

[axl911]

Ah. Thank you much for the info.

Back to the GB auction, the gun is a baby J. The finish on those should have been satin blue right? Unless it is a factory special which then would require a latter to confirm right?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes the standard finish was satin blue for Baby Js. But you won't need a letter to confirm that the bright blue is an original factory bright finish on that gun:

notice the 'B' which follows, instead of precedes the serial number under the barrel, and also that it's an extra large 'B'.

 

[George_in_SD]

The overwhelming number of five screw chief specials have a satin blue finish. There are very few bright blue examples and almost all known are among the first 100 produced and were given as presentation gifts; some of these bear inscriptions and most have smooth rosewood grips.

 

[jackvs1]

Yes the standard finish was satin blue for Baby Js. But you won't need a letter to confirm that the bright blue is an original factory bright finish on that gun:

notice the 'B' which follows, instead of precedes the serial number under the barrel, and also that it's an extra large 'B'.

Jim - So the B after SN designates bright blue? Again learn something new everytime here. The seller as you know is very reputable. Jack

 

[Engine49guy]

"B" stamp in ejector flat for Bright blue finish,
Post WWII until 1954 satin blue finish is standard on all but the high end models such as the 357 Magnum etc,
Around 1955 Bright blue becomes standard finish again.

 

[axl911]

Drat!!! Now it makes me want that little bright blue revolver even more!