Chiefs Special Variations, Year?

[Hondo44]

Is this considered the early hammer??

As this example is #48452 with these features

Long Trigger guard
4 screw frame
serrated ramp sight
second series flat latch

Are you saying this example is an early issue of "modern" chief, just outside the "Baby" window? How close to the "cusp" of change over are we??

Elroy,
Yes, that is the early hammer, fine knurling and the 1st post war style.

Yes, right on the cusp: your # 48452 could vie for the first one!

The change is from Baby Chiefs (latest #s known in the late 4X,XXX range) and full size Chiefs (earliest # known in 48,4XX range). I'm going to use your number as the earliest known to revise my post #6.

Recognize however that there may be Baby Chiefs with a higher number than yours because they were never assembled in serial number order so there is always a transition period where numbers overlap. For example: the earliest Chief to have the new style coarse checkered hammer that replaced the post war hammer is first observed in a Baby Chiefs # 12041 !!
There's always the possibility that it's a replacment but no way to tell.

 

[Elroy]

And it still has the early hammer??

 

[Hondo44]

And it still has the early hammer??

Yes. But no surprise, the latest full size Chiefs Model of 1953 with an old hammer/fine knurling known to me is #573XX.

When new parts were introduced they were dumped into the parts bins on top of the old style parts. So the new parts got used by the assemblers before the old parts were used up which were used later on newer guns! It's known as the last in, 1st out syndrome.

 

[delmaxfield]

My #49463 is the same as Elroy's #48452 in all characteristic's

Del
SWCA #2635

 

[delmaxfield]

By the way, that display rack is "cool" i have been looking for one that I could use to show you all pictures. Am I out of order to ask where you got that Elroy?
I am still trying to get you mo
re pictures of the #49463.
I appreciate all of the feedback on this issue but I am still wondering like others if mine is a Full Size?!

Del,
SWCA#2635

 

[Elroy]

i have been looking for [a display rack] that I could use. [Where did you get that Elroy?]

One of the local gun stores recently expended and shortly there after, I purchased a new Ruger from them. During the transaction I simply asked if I could have the rack the Ruger was displayed on. All their hand guns were displayed on similar racks and the salesman obliged the request. They probably had a box of those racks in the back.

 

[Hondo44]

By the way, that display rack is "cool" i have been looking for one that I could use to show you all pictures. Am I out of order to ask where you got that Elroy?
I am still trying to get you mo
re pictures of the #49463.
I appreciate all of the feedback on this issue but I am still wondering like others if mine is a Full Size?!

Del,
SWCA#2635

Del,
Your gun in post 16 is clearly evident as a full size, the same as post 6. A model of 1953. Just compare the size of the trigger guard with the Baby size in the 1st post.

 

[Green Frog]

OK H44, let me see if I understand this correctly. Evidence shows that a "new" batch of hammers was put into the system at or before the time of Baby Chiefs in the 12 thousand SN range, but they weren't used exclusively until somewhere closer to the 50 thousand range? Were they some sort of cost cutting expedient that just got used from time to time (like from a lower cost but less favored subcontractor?) Did they finally reach full and exclusive usage at some defined time in production, or was their use always sporadic? What was used during the '60s and '70s when every LEO at detective grade or higher seemed to be carrying one, and lots of beat cops had them for BUGs?

Froggie

PS Mine has that same 2nd Series Flat Latch like Elroy's, but that makes sense since it is only about 6 thousand SNs away.

PPS Yep, rib and serrated!

 

[Hondo44]

Froggie,
Yes, at some point one of the Smith assemblers pulled the last old stlye hammer from the bottom of his hammer bin and used it in an early numbered (573XX serial range) Model of 1953 (pre 36) Chiefs Spl. The 12,XXX numbered Baby Chiefs was probably one of the last built, as we've come to find out is not uncommon, way out of serial number order and shipped late.

 

[handejector]

FWIW-
I've never seen a Baby higher than the 44,000's.

 

[jgrass5]

Wow! This thread is so informative. I just purchased a "Baby Chief Special" and waiting for it to arrive.When it comes in at my local shop I will take some pic's and put them on the thread. #323XX. Advertised as 1953, New unfired, slight turn mark, no box. Can't wait.
JGrass

 

[Green Frog]

Wow! This thread is so informative. I just purchased a "Baby Chief Special" and waiting for it to arrive.When it comes in at my local shop I will take some pic's and put them on the thread. #323XX. Advertised as 1953, New unfired, slight turn mark, no box. Can't wait.
JGrass

You know that as a newbie bringing a gun like that to the show, it is mandatory that you post pictures of it as soon as it arrives or we'll all come over to your house and throw empty R#g#r boxes at you!!

Congrats and welcome to the madness!

Froggie

 

[jgrass5]

"Froggie"I picked up the lil gem today and they had to pic me up off the floor also! It is beyond my expectations. It's literally perfect, to me anyway. It has the turn mark on the cylinder but other than that is new unfired. 60 yrs old, crazy. My dealer asked me to take off the wood grips and check for s/n's, it does and they match the firearms #. I asked if the checkering was original because the checkering was so deep and sharp compared to what I had previously seen. He said that was the way they used to it in the old days. So nice.
I am having trouble uploading pic's(my first time) but I will keep trying.

 

[jgrass5]

"baby chief pic's

Trying again to attach the pics. Thank you, JGrass5

 

[TACC1]

I might tip over if I found one like that, myself.
Very nice!
TACC1

 

[Green Frog]

SU-WEEEEET!! It's a good thing you got that one, jgrass5. I'd have it at the range trying to wear it out. Nice find, my friend.

Froggie

 

[jgrass5]

Thanks folks, pretty lucky for me. Now I can shoot that 4 screw I picked up earlier with out reservations

 

[JP@AK]

Very, very nice purchase, jgrass5
Congratulations.
JP

 

[bmg60]

Hi
here is a picture of the 6 known variations. The display was shown at the washington Arms show in 2011 and won 1st Place for Handguns.
the two nickel guns are really Rare, The one with the half moon sight is serial #14XX
The Square butt nickel is the only one we have seen.
Jim Fisher

 

[Hondo44]

FWIW-
I've never seen a Baby higher than the 44,000's.

According to Jim #4 in this old post below, is the right, rear 3" Baby in photo above.

Post #92
06-22-2010, 09:58 PM
bmg60
SWCA Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: big sky country montana
Posts: 190
Commentaries: 9


Chiefs Special (Baby Chief)
________________________________________
Hi

Here are the Variations of the Baby Chief's in 4 Guns.
1. Half moon front sight in (Nickel) Serial Number 1406 all original with
Matching grips.
2. Half moon front sight in (blued) serial Number 3729 all original with
Matching grips.
3. Ramped front sight (smooth) serial number 6362 all original with
Matching grips
4. Ramped front sight (serrated) serial number 45962 all original with
matching grips, in the Rare (3 inch) Barrel length.

I also have the original boxes for all 4.
the rarest two guns are the nickeled half moon sighted gun and the
3 inch gun. this is the only 3 inch gun in the Baby chief I have seen.

If anybody has a early nickel gun that is original or a 3 inch I would
like to see pictures and serial numbers.
I hope this helps.
Jim Fisher