Help on 36 no dash

[406lawdawg]

I have a 3" 36 nickel no dash with a SR# J225xxx my S&M 4th edition tells me the J prefix started with -1 s. help.

 

[Frailer]

What exactly is your question?

 

[406lawdawg]

I have a 3" 36 nickel no dash with a SR# J225xxx my S&M 4th edition tells me the J prefix started with -1 s.

Is this a -1 or a no dash?

 

[Frailer]

3” Model 36s and 36-1s were made concurrently. Does your revolver have the tapered or heavy barrel?

This might help:

https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/mod-36-are-all-3-inch-guns-heavy-barrel.270142/

 

[JP@AK]

I have a 3" 36 nickel no dash with a SR# J225xxx my S&M 4th edition tells me the J prefix started with -1 s.

Is this a -1 or a no dash?

406lawdawg

You have fallen into a common misunderstanding about the progression of models of the Chiefs Special. That being that the Model 36-1 replaced the Model 36. It didn't.

The Model 36-1, introduced in 1966, was a specific variant of the Chiefs Special. It had the 3" heavy barrel. From 1966 until 1988, the Model 36 and the Model 36-1 were produced concurrently. Eventually, in 1988, the Model 36-2 replaced the Model 36, and the Model 36-3 replaced the Model 36-1.

The J prefix was introduced in 1969, while both the Models 36 and 36-1 were still in production. Your example is from 1974, and it is a Model 36, as shown in the yoke cut.

 

[406lawdawg]

406lawdawg

You have fallen into a common misunderstanding about the progression of models of the Chiefs Special. That being that the Model 36-1 replaced the Model 36. It didn't.

The Model 36-1, introduced in 1966, was a specific variant of the Chiefs Special. It had the 3" heavy barrel. From 1966 until 1988, the Model 36 and the Model 36-1 were produced concurrently. Eventually, in 1988, the Model 36-2 replaced the Model 36, and the Model 36-3 replaced the Model 36-1.

The J prefix was introduced in 1969, while both the Models 36 and 36-1 were still in production. Your example is from 1974, and it is a Model 36, as shown in the yoke cut.

Thanks for the help. I see that I misread the bible, 1969 started the J in the prefix. Thanks again.

 

[rockquarry]

I have a couple of J-frame .38s that I bought used years ago. Both have numbers that begin with J1. I'm guessing they are from the early '70s. I have another that I bought new in September, 1975. It's #J269352. That should provide some rough idea on your gun.

 

[larry169]

Ok my 36ND nickel snubbie has no J in the serial #. It is a 6 digit numerical only serial #. That means it was built before 1969. Thank you for that info you put out jp@ak. I never knew the 36-1 was not a replacement for the 36ND and that the next snubbie after the 36 would have to be the 36-2. Now if anyone could tell me the year of production of my 36ND I would be grateful. Serial # is 567XXX. Thanks

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... if anyone could tell me the year of production of my 36ND I would be grateful. Serial # is 567XXX. ThanksView attachment 901618

Smith & Wesson did not track production dates by serial number. The company also did not ship in serial number order.

The database shows the company shipped serial number 567272 in October 1967.

 

[R61414]

As you can probably tell, I love the Model 36 with 3" Barrels.

Top Left: 36, Nickel, 1963.
Bottom Left: 36, Blue, 1971-1972.
Top Center: 36-1, Blue, Heavy Barrel, 1969.
Bottom Center: 36-1, Nickel, Heavy Barrel, 1976-1977.
Top Right: 36-1, Nickel, Heavy Barrel, 1976-1977. This one cost me $70!
Bottom Right: 36-6, Matt Blue, Heavy Barrel, 1989.

 

[MajorD]

36-1 and 36 concurrently is not unlike the model 10 series where two different revision numbers ( one for the HB and one for the standard barrel) were made concurrently as well. So for example the 10-6 (HB) did not supersede the 10-5 ( standard barrel) but were the same engineering changes affecting models with differing barrel weights