Flat Latch 36

[TinyDee]

I am curious about a couple of things. I have a like new 36, flat latch with diamond grips. First is when did diamond grips stop being put on and second, the serial is 352052, any idea of date of manufacture? It is a very nice 36 but have to consider if or not...

 

[linde]

I am curious about a couple of things. I have a like new 36, flat latch with diamond grips. First is when did diamond grips stop being put on and second, the serial is 352052, any idea of date of manufacture? It is a very nice 36 but have to consider if or not...

Ship date about Feb-Mar 1965. The flat latch went away in 1966 and the diamond grips in 1968-69.

The Chief Special is an iconic Smith . . . enjoy,

Russ

 

[hotrod150]

Great little gun for concealed carry or bedstand use, and IMHO a flat-latch Chief is something of a collector piece. I guess they made a lot of them though, so unfortunately it doesn't have the $ value of other models.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi TinyDee

My Chiefs Special number 3538xx letters to September, 1964. So you can extrapolate from there, remembering that these never shipped in serial order.

I can't quite grasp the fascination with flat latch revolvers and the presumption that any flat latch gun is an automatic collector item if in high condition. Come on guys, S&W put the flat latch on most I and J frame guns for fully 15 years. There are millions of them in circulation. Now a first style flat latch on a Chief is a little bit more to get excited about, but even those are not rare.

Jack

 

[hotrod150]

Maybe I misspoke when I said "collector piece". I am a big Chief Special fan, I currently own five (all pinned barrel models), and tend to value the older ones more. I own one flat-latch, a 1955-ish airweight Chief, and although it's in good shape it does show it's age. So while maybe it's not a true collector's gun, it is a cornerstone of my little collection (or should I say accumulation?).

 

[JP@AK]

Hi hotrod150
I like the flat latch I and J frame guns too. They just have a fun look to them. My only point was that they really are not scarce guns in any sense of the word.
Enjoy your small frame revolvers. I like mine too!
Jack

 

[AR_Black]

I had a pristine 3-inch Model 36 with the flat latch, square butt and diamond grips .... sold it to raise capital for my business startup.

If I find a picture I'll add it here. Super nice guns!

 

[snubbyfan]

Hey TinyDee, how about some pictures?