Found me a Baby Chief !

[Jimmyjones]

Stopped by the LGS at lunch today and this little guy screamed at me.

Tried to talk them down, has some cosmetic issues and the left scale is missing a piece. Their response, "well, do you know what is ?", my response, "yeah, I was just hoping you didn't"

All the numbers match. Came with a Pachmayr copy of the T-Grip. Slopped flat latch. Honest holster wear. The cylinder looks like it's barely if ever been fired, Most of my blued guns have some witness marks on the cylinder, rings from the cartridges, something. It looks like it was carried empty. Tightest lockup of any of my Smiths. Great trigger.

Wrong size screwdriver was used on the top screw, only sign it might have been opened. I'm going to open it up tonight, clean and check the innards.

SN#201xx ( ~ 1953 ???)

Comparison with my M36 no dash (J526xxx)

Any additional info anyone could provide is appreciated, Thanks !

I'm jazzed, it's going on the dog walk tonight !

... and yes, it came in a Crown Royal pouch !

 

[murphydog]

Very nice, probably late 1952 to early 1953 ship date. Enjoy!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Nice gun,I just picked up my third Baby Chief to complete my set.I will warn you know,They multiply quickly.If you don't mind sharing,What did it set you back?

 

[mbliss57]

Very nice..but you don't really want a Baby Chief. The stocks are too small. Since I have small hands I can get you into a nice model 36 for no extra money. They fit my hands really well Congratulations. They are addicting.. I am still finding more variations. I am still looking for a 1950 half moon FS variant.

 

[Hondo44]

A very nice find.
Yours has the 1st style flat latch. Soon after in the 26XXX range the 2nd style was introduced.

2nd style on the left, 3rd style on the right:

 

[Allen-frame]

You need some wood on that model 36.

Congrats on a great find,

Good luck,

Allen

 

[lebomm]

FWIW, the T-grip is the copy. It was offered after Pachmayr quit making their grip adaptors. Pachmayr acquired Mershon (who made grip adaptors and recoil pads) sometime, I believe, in the mid- to late 60s, and Mershon was makin' 'em before I started shooting in about 1961.
Anybody know more about it? Jump right in !

Larry

 

[Green Frog]

Stopped by the LGS at lunch today and this little guy screamed at me.

Tried to talk them down, has some cosmetic issues and the left scale is missing a piece. Their response, "well, do you know what is ?", my response, "yeah, I was just hoping you didn't"

All the numbers match. Came with a Pachmayr copy of the T-Grip. Slopped flat latch. Honest holster wear. The cylinder looks like it's barely if ever been fired, Most of my blued guns have some witness marks on the cylinder, rings from the cartridges, something. It looks like it was carried empty. Tightest lockup of any of my Smiths. Great trigger.

Wrong size screwdriver was used on the top screw, only sign it might have been opened. I'm going to open it up tonight, clean and check the innards.

Any additional info anyone could provide is appreciated, Thanks !

I'm jazzed, it's going on the dog walk tonight !

... and yes, it came in a Crown Royal pouch !

Just goes to show once again, "You can't put Baby in a corner." Glad to see you got such a nice one, and hope you'll enjoy it like I enjoy mine. Let us know how that Pachmayr™ grip adaptor works out for you... I've got a box of them somewhere I need to dig out and try for myself. BTW, that one burred screw may have come from the installation and then removal of an FDL Wondersight™ at some time. That's the only screw you turn when that is done.

Froggie

 

[Jimmyjones]

You need some wood on that model 36.

Congrats on a great find,

Good luck,

Allen

It wasn't expecting the photo op, didn't know a relative was showing up.

Dressed for dinner !