Chiefs Special Pre 37 Model?

[SEKY]

First post... I was hoping you guys could help me identify and gather info on a revolver I purchased at an estate auction a couple of years ago. I originally purchased it for a concealed carry (although I never carried it) but now realize it may have some value as a collectable. From reading various posts on this forum I think I have a Chiefs Special Pre-37 Model (made in 1953-4?). I apologize the pictures are not that great as I took them with my phone. Hopefully, I can post some better pics later. Here is some info about the gun:

- "AIRWEIGHT 38 SPECIAL CTG" (2 lines) stamped towards the muzzle of a 2" barrel. "SMITH & WESSON" is stamped on the opposite side.
- Serial number is 280xx (no letters or model) stamped on both the bottom of the round butt and on the non-magnetic 5-shot cylinder. My assumption is that it has the orginal aluminum cylinder.
- It has a flat latch and does not have a "bug" screw on the side.
- Appears to have some minor holster wear on the top of the gun, outside edges of the cylinder, and front of the trigger guard. It seems to be in great condition. All parts are tight and functional.
- I do not have the original box or papers.

Any info or comments would be greatly appreciated! If anyone knows the value of this gun, please share. I'm not looking to sale and may have interest in starting a collection. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[BUFF]

Check the cylinder with a magnet to see if it is aluminum or steel.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Check the cylinder with a magnet to see if it is aluminum or steel.

No need to since he already said he did.

The gun does fall into the SN range for aluminum cylinder guns which is up to 44577, per the SCSW 3rd. Its a certain collector's piece with that alloy cylinder and should not be fired. If it has a screw in the front of the trigger guard, its a 5 screw and is even more rare and valuable. The upper side plate screw on a J frame was the 2nd to be removed but on a N frame or K, it was the first.

Since its worth money, and unsafe to fire, do not fire it. If that bothers you, then sell to a collector. Theres no sense in risking you or the gun in this situation.

Not to be nit picky, but its more correctly known as a Chief's Special Airweight. Many J frame models have an airweight twin. Your grips also are original, at least by type. If you remove the grips the right grip should have the SN and I'm willing to bet that it does.

Its a really neat gun. Either preserve it or sell it, but consider yourself lucky to own it.

 

[Engine49guy]

First welcome aboard,
Second...Nice find and nice first post SEKY!

You have stumbled into an early 50's Baby Chiefs Airweight.
I say "Baby" because the original guns had a shorter grip length and sometimes a smaller trigger guard opening than later models.

Appears yours has the shorter grip with the larger egg shaped trigger opening.
I have its twin in steel frame but mine has the small trigger opening even though its 10,000 units newer than yours.
You should know that just because a serial number is lower does not always meen the gun is older ...
If you get into this hobby you will hear quite often that the only thing consistent with S&W is that things are not consistent.

I am no expert and what I know I learned from other members after buying a similar gun.
Someone more knowledgable will certainly chime in giving more details.

I agree you should not shoot it if it has an aluminum cylinder because it can explode costing you your investment and maybe an eye or a couple fingers.
You cannot send it back to S&W as they will not fix it,
It has value to a collector,
Condition and originality are everything in collectables...
Then again I am sensing you got this gun for a song and will certainly at least be able to double your money.
Congrats and welcome aboard!

 

[Hondo44]

Seky,

Yes, a pre 37 and what a jewel!

The Baby J frames were 5 screw, small trigger guard and original short grip of I frame dimensions. In this configuration it came with both 1/2 penny sight and then ramp w/rib.
Yours is the standard J with the 1953 introduced changes of the egg shaped trigger guard, 1/8" longer grip and 5th screw in front of the trigger guard eliminated. These three characteristics are all or none; If a gun has one, it has them all.

 

[Win712]

Your revolver appears to have a later style hammer found on later 1950's Chief Specials, the correct style for this serial number range will have a shorter spur as shown on my old Chief Special Airweight from 1954, also note the "bug" screw talked about in another current post. This "Airweight has a steel cylinder, s/n 438xx. Greg

 

[Hondo44]

Win 712,
Interesting...yours has a later model flat latch, 2nd style I think, and early hammer. Seky has an early, 1st style, flat latch but the late hammer most associated with the 1953 changes and beyond.

Another validation of S&W collecting rule #1: "The main rule is, there are no rules."