Help with a Model 36

[Roland Deschain]

I read the sticky about what info to post, so I think I should be able to provide the necessary information.
It is a Model 36, the serial number is 5J5953, it is .38 S&W Special, the barrel is 1-7/8" long, it has fixed sights with a rear notch and a ramped front, it has three screws, no trigger guard screw but it has the upper side plate screw under the grips. It has Pachmayr Compac/Professional grips. I do not have the original grips. I would like to know the year of manufacture and I would also like to sell it, so an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. I will attach photos! Thanks!
(I hope I did this correctly. I am a newbie and kind of feeling my way around.)
Roland Deschain
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a Super Power!

 

[JohnRippert]

Are you sure that is a J in the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame? According to 4th ed of the Catalog S&W changed from the flat cylinder release latch to the latch you have on your M36 in 1966. Serials from that period would be in the 500,000 range.

To me it looks like a nice no dash Model 36 from about 1966. Good revolver there, Roland.

 

[Absalom]

Your gun has a serial containing what we call a "floating J", meaning the letter in the midst of digits. It puts production of the gun most likely in 1971.

There is nothing special about that. The gun seems to be in good shape; I'm not closely following prices on these, but I'd expect between 300 and 350 as a wild guess. You'll get more opinions, I'm sure

 

[Targets Guy]

Yep. I've got one of those floating "J"s as well. They sure do shoot good.



Mine is a 963Jxx. It shipped 3/74

 

[swkohnle08]

I have a "floating" J also. Love my Mod 36. It's my EDC.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JohnRippert]

Learn something new every day here. Never heard of a Floating J serial before.

 

[Roland Deschain]

Many Thanks!

Wow, you guys are amazing. I have not been on that many forums but I just gotta say that these responses were great. Some other forums you would wait a couple of days to hear an answer. Thanks to all for your responses and please keep them coming. The more I learn, the more I want to learn.

Roland Deschain
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a Super Power!!

 

[JP@AK]

Keep in mind that the term "floating J" only applies to the serials issued in 1971-72. They had no more than 5 digits total, occurring on either side of the J.

If the serial number has a total of 6 digits, with one or more to the left of the J, the gun is much later, belonging to the 1982-83 period.

 

[Bob L]

I have a "floating" J also. Love my Mod 36. It's my EDC.

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I like your grips! Who made them? Thanks

 

[Roland Deschain]

One more thing!

Gentlemen: As I said before, thanks for all the responses. One thing that I did not mention is that the gun is NOT blued, it is black. Is there any significance to that?

Roland Deschain
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a Super Power!!

 

[dsf]

Gentlemen: As I said before, thanks for all the responses. One thing that I did not mention is that the gun is NOT blued, it is black. Is there any significance to that?

Roland Deschain
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a Super Power!!

In photo #1 the frame appears to have a finish I'd associate with an alloy framed gun, but I presume that's just lighting and camera angle. That the frame is stamped "Mod 36" would seem conclusive, although one never knows with Smith. It is an all steel frame revolver, yes? If so, all in all and looking at the other photos it looks like a standard blued Model 36.

I have a Smith Model 60 of about the same vintage and the polish work is a tad less than Smith's best. Perhaps similar performance led to bluing not quite up to snuff?

Standard factory wood stocks and a Tgrip would be a nice "return to factory" look, although not quite as comfortable to shoot with.