ID Help Please- #643649

[Glentt]

I'm really new to this forum and my interest is that my friend gave me a 38 spl that I'd like to know more about it. After researching the web, I thought it was a Model 36 this Model 10 pix looks like it except for the butt, mine is round and this one is square. Other than that, it's pretty identical. The serial number on the butt #643649 but the leading 6 is very lightly stamped. On the frame between cylinder is another stamp "MOD". There are other numbers stamped on the cylinder brace that I can provide. I was thinking that it was a "chief's special" but now I'm more confused than ever.

 

[Desert Rat 416]

Welcome to the Forum Glenntt. Just a couple of things that may help our Forum members with your questions. Could you confirm what/if there is a number after the MOD you noted (like a 10 or 36, etc.), and please check to make sure that the "lightly stamped 6" at the beginning of the serial number on the butt isn't actually a "C". This will help confirm whether your .38 Special is a J frame from the 1960's, or a K frame from some other time period, (etc.). Again welcome, and I'm sure folks will be along to help you if they can get some more info.

 

[Glentt]

The leading s/n is definitely a 6, it's just much lighter than the rest of the numbers.
On the frame under the cylinders, there's that MOD. and below it are two smaller very lightly stamped numbers/letters.
The first is either a 7 or 3 and the second number is either a 0, 6 or G.

 

[gkitch]

Perhaps a Model 36, aka Chief Special. If it is a 5-shot cylinder that is surely what you have. These were made with both square and round butts, although the round butt was much more common with the 2" bbl and the square butt often went with the 3". Measure the distance between the face of the cylinder and the muzzle and let us know the bbl length?

 

[Glentt]

It's a 5 rd cylinder and the barrel is slightly less than 2" I was curious what the MOD. stood for and if it will shoot +P shells?

 

[gkitch]

It is a MODel 36 on the J-frame. Yes, on can use +P in a solid Chief's Special, but do NOT try the higher pressure ++P. You should run it by a good gunsmith first to make sure it is safe. Personally, I'd just go with a standard defense based hollowpoint or FBI load though.

 

[Glentt]

To all who have been kind enough to answer my basic knowledge questions.. many, many thanks.. As it turns out, my friend came across the original box and paperwork. Although it does not have the year on the box, it is infact, a model 36 and the serial number on the box matches the gun. I'm not sure why the leading 6 is struck so lightly but it belongs there. In the box there were some bullets that at first glance looked like just shell casings but if you looked in them, there's a sort of flat bullet. It also has couple crimp marks around the casing unlike the winchesters that I bought that are bright, shiny and smooth. Ha, ha, I wonder if it's to late to mail in the register card..
Again, thanks..

 

[Flint Ridge]

Sounds like a keeper for sure. I don't have a 36, but maybe I need new friends.

Wadcutters are the bullet type. Soft shooting, punches a clean hole in the paper and if used in a defensive way - punches a big hole and rather effective.