In search of four Chiefs Specials

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy All,

I am in search of four Chiefs shipped in June 1954.

The serial numbers are 46289, 46301, 46469, and 46472.

They are built on the four-screw J-frame with the new ⅛" longer
grip frame and the larger, oval trigger guard. They also have the
third style flat thumbpiece with 10 ridges and 11 valleys.

Please let me know if you have or have seen one of these.

Thank you for looking.

 

[demkofour]

Hummmm, Bob… 1954???

 

[usm1rifle]

Blued s/n 45168 A.W. with retention screw shipped June 1954.

 

[RKmesa]

Bob:

Wish I could help you out. The closest that I have is 46042, which shipped in September 1954.







I'm pretty sure that you remember this one. It has the 11 valleys and 10 ridges, in addition to having the exposed/domed hammer stud on the left side (like the pre-war guns)... Do you know if the four that you're looking for (earlier shipping date, but later SN) have the exposed/domed hammer stud?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I covet that Chiefs Special, Richard.

It remains the first known regular-production four-screw Chiefs
Special, and it's only 17 numbers higher than the last known
regular-production five-screw Chiefs Special, 46025, a 3".

My four-screw 47475 shipped in August 1954, and it does not
have a domed hammer stud.

I've only seen one of the four I'm seeking here (46289), and I
don't recall if it had the domed hammer stud. I didn't document
that when I saw it on auction in April 2023. Wish I would have
known then what I know now.

The four I'm seeking were the four plain-Jane Chiefs on the invoice
(photo) for the "DRAGNET" crew on June 4, 1954. Dr. Jinks
discovered the serial numbers yesterday.

Surprisingly the three bright blue, engraved Chiefs on the invoice
are five-screw Baby Chiefs.

It's the first invoice I've seen with a mix of five and four-screw
Chiefs Specials.

 

[RKmesa]

...Surprisingly the three bright blue, engraved Chiefs on the invoice are five-screw Baby Chiefs.

It's the first invoice I've seen with a mix of five and four-screw Chiefs Specials.

Those engraved Baby Chiefs would really interest me. 38185 appears to be "Bright Nickel" which is factory speak for two-tone, or "pinto" as we often call them today. Now THAT would be a fun one to find.

Interestingly, this factory engraved Baby Chief (SN 26161) was shipped November 10, 1954, another firm testament that S&W DID NOT ship in SN order.





Furthermore, this one (SN 34656) from the recent RIA auction, also shipped later (10/7/54) than the ones you are looking for. [NOTE: I did make a run at it, but it got too rich for my blood - someone else (hopefully someone on the forum) must think those engraved Babies with the perfectly fit rosewood stocks are cool as heck].











Photo source: RIA Auctions

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Those engraved Baby Chiefs would really interest me. 38185 appears to be "Bright Nickel" which is factory speak for two-tone, or "pinto" as we often call them today. Now THAT would be a fun one to find.
[/I]

Yes, 38185 has a bright blue finish and a nickel cylinder.

We three Chiefs will see you in Tulsa in June, Richard!

Thanks for the photos of your engraved Chiefs. Filled in some blank spaces on the database.

 

[handejector]

Richard,
I love the engraving on this gun! The floral motif is just too cool.
What does the letter say about it?

 

[handejector]

Those engraved Baby Chiefs would really interest me.

If I understand correctly from hearing Bob speak of the three engraved Dragnet guns, the only engraving on them is the three men's names.
Is that correct, Bob?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Yes, Lee.

Here's the one I have in hand. The second will be along shortly, and I haven't a clue, yet, about the one for Captain Hamilton.

 

[handejector]

So you have Jack Webb's coming?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Yes, I bought it after Ben's.

 

[handejector]

Congratulations on that! I'm happy for you. I'll bet you're happy for you too.

We need to hear the story when the dust settles!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I am ecstatic, Lee.

For the most part the article for the S&WCA Journal is finished
except for the photo(s) of Jack's Chiefs Special when I get it in hand.

I must say, this is probably the most fun piece of writing I've done
since I began publishing articles in the mid-'80s.

 

[pasound]

Congratulations, and waiting for the Jack Webb pics.

 

[RKmesa]

Richard,
I love the engraving on this gun! The floral motif is just too cool.
What does the letter say about it?

Lee:

I too really like the engraving on that little guy. The engraving beautifully fills the space without looking over-engraved and the style is very different from the Harry Jarvis and Virginia LeBlanc guns of that era. Here is the letter and the invoice:





Reading at the last sentence of the letter, it looks like Roy was going to name an engraver's name, but got interrupted... That said, the consensus is that the engraver is Alvin F. Herbert, who engraved at the factory, prior to transferring to Colt. The distinct floral pattern is almost a dead ringer for several other guns (both S&Ws and Colts) that are confirmed to Alvin Herbert.

It sure would be fun to find the nickel Class C engraved Chief that shipped in this gun.