Early (1950?) 4-screw, J-Frame?

[Artyldr01]

Hello all.

This little beauty is screaming my name, but I'm not 100% certain what it is and when it was made.

I believe it is a 1950/51, J-Frame "Chiefs Special / Pre-36"?

It is SN: 1840 and has a flat latch, round blade sight, and four screws.

I really shouldn't put this on layaway as I have a couple of others I need to pay off, but she is really speaking to me. She is $695 OTD.

Any thoughts or opinions on this honest beauty and "enabling" that would justify me snagging or "disuading" me. Thanks.


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[Retired W4]

How could you say no to that beautiful Baby Chief?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

A very nice Baby Chief. Buy it!


Whoo hooo! Oh, Bob! Where ya at?

 

[PeteC]

The grips look nicely fitted, and may be original, which would be very nice to have on such a classic Chiefs Special.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Wow.

I wouldn't have left the shop without it.

As Pete suggested the grips fit very well. I'd bet the inside of the right one is serial numbered to the gun. The sequence might look like this:

1
840

Others in the Chiefs database suggest S&W shipped "yours" in either December 1951 or January 1952. S&W only shipped 19 Chiefs Specials in 1950 and perhaps only about 1,600 in 1951. The company was in the throws of filing a huge overseas order at the time so production and stateside shipments were low during this era.

It's actually a 5-screw frame. Include the one in front of the trigger guard in the count.

As we'd expect it has the half-round front sight and the first style flat thumbpiece.

If you decide not to buy it please PM the name and phone number for the shop to me.

 

[JP@AK]

An early Baby Chief in that condition is a steal at 7 Benjies. Hock your watch and buy it. Now.

 

[Malysh]

It's a 5 screw.

 

[Truckman]

I would have been writing about it from home with it safely cradled in my hand, and worry about paying the rent next month...And probably even that 2" M&P with the $509 pricetag under it......Ben

 

[Artyldr01]

Well, I see this is the "enabling" crowd! I am not as familiar with Smiths as I am Colts, so I appreciate the introduction to "Baby Chiefs!"

I will be doing some fenagling, I guess!

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[two-bit cowboy]

...And probably even that 2" M&P with the $509 pricetag under it...Ben

If it's a new Bodyguard Model 38 I'd leave it there.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Tell me you're at Ft. Novosel. Then, tell me where that Baby is at...drool.

 

[Artyldr01]

Tell me you're at Ft. Novosel. Then, tell me where that Baby is at...drool.

Nope. And I'm not telling...yet. ;-)

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[PeteC]

Just for reference, I just saw a Chiefs Special with s/n 1972 shipped 01/14/1952 (per S&W Letter). It is being offered for over $2,800 by a more optimistic dealer, with original red box, a refinish, and very worn original grips. I am not suggesting that price is realistic, but just posting it for reference, and as a little encouragement.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... I appreciate the introduction to "Baby Chiefs!"

The collectors term "Baby Chiefs Special" is a result of the small, rounded trigger guard and short grip frame. S&W made the 5-screw Chiefs Special from 1950 through about spring 1954. The first known carbon steel 4-screw Chiefs shipped in June 1954. They have a longer, oval trigger guard and a ⅛" longer grip frame. The photo shows the difference.

Both features survive still today in the contemporary Model 36-10.

 

[Artyldr01]

Well, it will be on layaway before the first minute of the store being open! It will go well with my 1955 Colt Cobra.

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[Artyldr01]

Wow.

I wouldn't have left the shop without it.

As Pete suggested the grips fit very well. I'd bet the inside of the right one is serial numbered to the gun. The sequence might look like this:

1
840

Others in the Chiefs database suggest S&W shipped "yours" in either December 1951 or January 1952. S&W only shipped 19 Chiefs Specials in 1950 and perhaps only about 1,600 in 1951. The company was in the throws of filing a huge overseas order at the time so production and stateside shipments were low during this era.

It's actually a 5-screw frame. Include the one in front of the trigger guard in the count.

As we'd expect it has the half-round front sight and the first style flat thumbpiece.

If you decide not to buy it please PM the name and phone number for the shop to me.

Thank you very much for the information! I will be getting it but will let you know if I change my mind.

 

[Truckman]

If it's a new Bodyguard Model 38 I'd leave it there.

The pic is removed now, Bob...It appeared to be a 2" K-frame from about the same era as the Baby Chief...Its price tag stated it was an M&P marked at $509......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

Tell me you're at Ft. Novosel. Then, tell me where that Baby is at...drool.

I could make a run to Mother Rucker real quick, and see some old friends while I'm at it. Then I'd find Wiregrassguy and attempt to pry tha Chiefs Special out of his hands.

But alas, it's not there.

 

[Retired W4]

The pic is removed now...

Yea, the OP noticed the sharks circling, and pulled the bait.

 

[Truckman]

Yea, the OP noticed the sharks circling, and pulled the bait.

Curses!...Foiled again...I shoulda saved the pic......Ben