Dating my dad's old Model 36

[triggermann]

I'm trying to date my father's old model 36. Not sure how so here's the sn's on the pistol

Hinge serial number: 21809 B2
Butt serial number: 399739

I've got a lot of fond memories of my dad and this was his prized concealed carry weapon (he was a retired deputy sheriff). I'm retired U.S. Air Force Security Forces.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm going to give the pistol to my son soon...

 

[samandglove1]

1963-64 give or take.

 

[Goony]

First off, welcome to the forum.

I'd say it likely shipped in 1965

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

It should look like this one . . . or its blued version. This one is from the same date range, though maybe a year or so earlier than yours.

Folks call 'em "flat latches" due to the different looking cylinder release latches that were phased out around '66 or so.

Ones of this era also came with "diamond" stocks, and the inside of the right stock (grip) would have the serial number (which is also on the butt) written on the stock. The "diamonds" disappeared from later stocks around '68, IIRC.



Hopefully, your dad's M36 still sports its original stocks. It is possible, and they'll possibly be a little smooth on the side of the gun that got rubbed against things while riding in its holster . . . true "beauty marks" that tell a story of its time when it protected your dad from harm on a daily basis.

Mine was obviously owned by a right hander . . . and you can see the wear I'm talking about just below the diamond on the right stock here:

In any event, these little snubbies could be real accurate . . . if the shooter did his job correctly lining up the marginal-sized sights.

Here it is right after I got it, after a trip to the range. I hadn't added the Tyler T-grip yet that makes it easier to shoot. Lots of "old timers" (and others up to this day) swear by the Tyler T-grip . . . but here it is in its "stock" form, and all five shots centered on that little 1" black square target at ten yards . . . excellent accuracy indeed:

You son will treasure this special family heirloom!!!

Here's mine from this era. It is in its original bright nickel plated finish, though many were blued. Some were square butt revolvers though many had round butts like this one. When I'm in a gun shop and spy a vintage Smith revolver with a flat latch or "diamonds" I perk right up!!!

 

[triggermann]

Hi,

It should look like this one . . . or its blued version. This one is from the same date range, though maybe a year or so earlier than yours.

Folks call 'em "flat latches" due to the different looking cylinder release latches that were phased out around '66 or so.

Ones of this era also came with "diamond" stocks, and the inside of the right stock (grip) would have the serial number (which is also on the butt) written on the stock. The "diamonds" disappeared from later stocks around '68, IIRC.



Hopefully, your dad's M36 still sports its original stocks. It is possible, and they'll possibly be a little smooth on the side of the gun that got rubbed against things while riding in its holster . . . true "beauty marks" that tell a story of its time when it protected your dad from harm on a daily basis.

Mine was obviously owned by a right hander . . . and you can see the wear I'm talking about just below the diamond on the right stock here:

In any event, these little snubbies could be real accurate . . . if the shooter did his job correctly lining up the marginal-sized sights.

Here it is right after I got it, after a trip to the range. I hadn't added the Tyler T-grip yet that makes it easier to shoot. Lots of "old timers" (and others up to this day) swear by the Tyler T-grip . . . but here it is in its "stock" form, and all five shots centered on that little 1" black square target at ten yards . . . excellent accuracy indeed:

You son will treasure this special family heirloom!!!

Here's mine from this era. It is in its original bright nickel plated finish, though many were blued. Some were square butt revolvers though many had round butts like this one. When I'm in a gun shop and spy a vintage Smith revolver with a flat latch or "diamonds" I perk right up!!!

Thanks Tom Turner for the wonderful post! My 36 is blued with diamond grips just like the one you have. I took the grips off today and sure enough, the serial number is stamped inside the right grip. It also has the "flat latch" pictured cylinder release pictured above. The bluing is in fair condition with the right side a little worse than the left side, my dad was ambidextrous but preferred his right hand and concealed carried on his right hip, right ankle, or right pocket. 1965 sounds about right, he served from 1960 (the year that I was born) to late 1984. He died in 2005 and I sure miss him. My son was born in 1986 and remembers his grandfather well. I know that he will cherish this little piece as much as I do and it will be passed on in turn.

Thanks again!

 

[cjtraining]

1959 M36

I was looking on GB and found this 1959 M36. The seller said it was his Dad's when he was a police sergeant. He said he didn't like and wanted to sell it to buy a Glock. I thought this guy must be an emotional midget, not wanting to keep something of such great value. I didn't need another M36, but I couldn't let it go. I thought being an retired sergeant, I could give it a good home. The gun had some gosh awful Pacmayr rubber grips on it and I have put magnas back on it. Since I took this picture I foung some diamond magnas.

 

[tom turner]

Thanks Tom Turner for the wonderful post! My 36 is blued with diamond grips just like the one you have. I took the grips off today and sure enough, the serial number is stamped inside the right grip. It also has the "flat latch" pictured cylinder release pictured above. The bluing is in fair condition with the right side a little worse than the left side, my dad was ambidextrous but preferred his right hand and concealed carried on his right hip, right ankle, or right pocket. 1965 sounds about right, he served from 1960 (the year that I was born) to late 1984. He died in 2005 and I sure miss him. My son was born in 1986 and remembers his grandfather well. I know that he will cherish this little piece as much as I do and it will be passed on in turn.

Thanks again!

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I'm so glad I could point you in the direction of how your dad's M36 originally looked . . . and even happier to find out that it is all original!!! That makes it EXTRA special as you and your son pass on the story of this sweet little revolver to generations not yet born.

Imagine the pride dad had when he first got that revolver. I bet he got it out and admired that wonderful workmanship and beautiful stocks. Through the years it served him well and probably got him safely out of a couple of jams through the years. IF THAT GUN COULD ONLY TALK!!!

Then again, it DOES talk every time you pull it out.

BTW, if it is in good mechanical condition, and it almost certainly will be . . . that little snubbie will be just as good a shooter today as it was the day your dad first shot it! If it checks out fine, don't be afraid to shoot it. It will serve your son well and with care . . . will one day be ready to serve HIS offspring too.

That's how good these revolvers are!

Tom

PS: My dad passed in late 2002, and I miss him as much now as ever. Our dads were part of America's greatest generation and they were real men, but also men with incredible love and work ethic.

BTW, I have my dad's snubbie too. One night he used it to save a Florida Highway Patrolman's life . . . and didn't have to fire a shot. The trooper was on a lonely road and this huge thug was just about to get the trooper's gun from him.

Dad offered help and the trooper quickly took him up on it. Dad drew and told the thug, in some very rough and "racially insulting language" that he was getting ready to shoot his sorry ____ if he didn't surrender NOW!

The thug knew by looking at my dad that he wasn't messing around and surrendered instantly. Truly the trooper was within seconds of dying. Turns out the muscle-bound thug had just been released from prison that week . . . a violent, career felon, and he had no intention of going back in.

Dad's old 1961 Colt Agent is well worn from being in the back pocket of a generous and kind man who ran an auto junkyard for generations. It has lots of character but not much original finish, and it protected him well for many years!!!

Here's dad's well-worn, 1st generation Colt Agent, and my 1964 M36. I'll cherish his revolver until it gets passed down later on . . . with the story of how this little snubbie saved the lives of TWO men that night . . . the trooper and the thug!