j frame

[normamag]

Any info on a 5 screw 1951 s/n 375 j frame.

Thanks

 

[Hondo44]

A 3 digit # is very desirable depending on condition of course.

Here's the simplified chronology of the "Model .38 Chiefs Special"

EARLY "Model .38 Chiefs Special" (collector nickname Baby J frame):

1950, Oct 27, Introduction of the J frame Chiefs Special, #6 is 1st shipped; 5 screw, longer frame window than 'I' frames, 'I' frame size grip and trigger guard, with half moon front sight, satin blue finish and left hand extractor rod thread. Pre Magna Service stocks and standard latch for the 1st 90 or so only, followed by the 1st style flat latch and Magna stocks. 1st 3" slim barrel Dec 1950. Latest reported round sight #116XX, shipped 4/52.

1952 - Introduce ribbed barrel with smooth ramp front sight, otherwise same as above; earliest observed #3254 and latest currently known #12340, (12041 observed with new coarse checkered hammer); then the serrated ramp sight, lowest known #13287, and the square butt option on the 'Baby J' c. #21342 in 1952 with Magna Stocks on both rd and sq butts. Will still have 1st style flat latch up to at least the 26,000 range, then changed to 2nd style flat latch. Steel Babys reported as high as the #33,000 to #36,600 range and shipping in 1953. Highest Baby known #45963 but last thought to be in the high 40,000 range. The SCSW shows a Baby J Airweight thought to be one of only a handful of non-production R&D guns.

FULL SIZE J frame Chiefs including Airweight:

1953 - Introduce the Model of 1953 Chiefs Special (pre model 36) lowest known # 48452 (with old hammer), and the Airweight Model (pre model 37): J frame size grip, larger trigger guard, eliminate trigger guard screw (the 5th screw), dropped 4th screw, upper sideplate by at least #1577XX, and bright blue finishes. Earliest Airweights in the #24-27,000 range with aluminum cylinders (about 3777 made) up to about serial #44577. US Air Force batch #AF1795- AF2399. Changed c.1954 to steel cylinders due to weakness, steel cyl reported as low as #438XX with old hammer, shipped 1956!

We know of #12041 with coarse checkered hammer Baby Chief and a Model of 1953 #573XX known with an old hammer/fine checkered.

 

[normamag]

Thank you for doing the research and posting the information for me.