just bought an "old" Model 36 s/n 39703

[mrchuck]

Has diamond grips,flat butt, and bluing is all worn off.
NOTICE: S/N really is 397038 !!!!!!! 397038
Action is very,very smooth, and trigger # pull has been "worked on, and my guess it is 4 lbs or just a little less.
I just cleaned it up and the bore is shiny with very crisp lands and grooves.
My big book says made around 1953.
My guess is it was a plain clothes Detective, or a "back-up gun carried in an extra leather hand-cuff case on a Class A Uniform.Any other info will be appreciated.

 

[The_Truth]

If your gun is 397xxx my guess would be 1963 or 1964 vintage. 1953 vintage would've been a 5 digit serial number 28916 or thereafter.

Also, a 1953 would have been a "pre-Model 36" whereas it seems yours would be a Model 36.

Pics may help clear things up a bit and I'm sure someone more educated than myself will be along shortly.

 

[linde]

. . . NOTICE: S/N really is 397038 . . . My big book says made around 1953 . . . Any other info will be appreciated.

Is it possible the s/n is "39703 B" from the barrel flat? If so, the B would indicate a blue finish from the factory. Check the s/n on the butt.

Russ

 

[mrchuck]

S&W model 36

Photos of this Model 36,s/n 397038. Bluing all worn off. It locks up tight, and has a great trigger that is crisp and approx 4 lb pull.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Photos of this Model 36,s/n 397038. Bluing all worn off.

I wouldn't call it worn off as much as had been sitting in a harsh environment.

and looks like someone tried to remove the ser#.

 

[Waveski]

I am very curious as to how it came to be in that condition. Note that there is still finish remaining on the grips. That rules out being left out in the elements for a bunch of years... unless the grips are replacement.
Also , no real rust , just wear. Lots and lots of wear...?

And yes , someone had a clumsy go at the butt serial.

There must be a story there.

 

[mrchuck]

I bought it last week-end at the Gun Show in Canton Texas.
I paid 300 Dollars for it.
I cleaned it up,brushed the barrel lands and grooves, and it is a really nice and tight action and locks up perfectly. The trigger is also nice.
I was thinking about cold bluing it, but now I like it as it is.
Really handy as a pocket revolver.
Normally I carry concealed a Kel-Tec P-11 with their stainless waist band clip.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Nice one. I like the Chiefs with a bit of character.

I'd say yours shipped in late 1965.

 

[flagman1776]

Being a square butt, I wouldn't be ideal for an ankle gun. The butt wouldn't matter as a belt gun. Or a leather shoulder holster... I can see it i an upside down Berns-Martin. I'd clean it well and put a coat of wax on it.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey, my ship date is the late 40s. Are you calling me old? I prefer "seasoned".

 

[mrchuck]

I took it to my local gun shop and they viewed it under a magnifier and the last serial number is a letter B and not an 8.
This makes it a lot older, and yes, the B stands for bluing, as was pointed out here earlier. THANK YOU!
39703B is the correct serial number for this "older" Model 36 Smith and Wesson revolver.
Thanks all for the help in identifying it.
And I am now going to keep it and go test fire it with regular 158 grain 38 special ammunition.

 

[The_Truth]

I would love to know more because I'm not aware of any J frames with a B in the serial number. Also, Model numbers began in 1957 with serial number 125000 so we know it's definitely not any older than that.

I could be wrong but I don't think I am. Two bit cowboy is dead on with his 1965 answer, I got ya close with 63 or 64.

 

[Biggfoot44]

From personal experience , Square Butt J's work fine on ankle .

 

[linde]

Photos of this Model 36,s/n 397038.

View attachment 404350

I took it to my local gun shop and they viewed it under a magnifier and the last serial number is a letter B and not an 8 . . .

I would love to know more because I'm not aware of any J frames with a B in the serial number. Also, Model numbers began in 1957 with serial number 125000 so we know it's definitely not any older than that . . .

I'm not sure we're seeing the correct serial number.

I agree, there should not be a letter B in the serial number on the butt . . . the factory only did that on the barrel flat and only until 1957/58.

Also, the font size and alignment of the s/n on the butt does not look factory. I initially assumed that was because of the angle of the photo and the scratches . . . but now I'm not so sure.

My suggestion would be to check for a s/n on the back side of the extractor star.

Russ

 

[Green Frog]

Those scratches on the butt sort of distort the appearance of the numbers, but on close examination, I believe those are the legitimate, factory stamped numbers. That gun seems to have lead a very rough and tumble existence and I would be willing to accept the scratches as a random and incidental part of that checkered past. I'm with those who would clean it well, add a good coat of preservative wax, and put it into immediate use for EDC. That's got the potential to be a good and faithful companion, even in "the Valley of the Shadow."

Froggie

 

[tom turner]

I believe the serial number on the butt is both original, and with the last character an 8 rather than a B.

Thus, the serial number is indeed in the range of '65. Another sure way to make sure is to carefully remove the grip screw located inside the "diamond" on the left-side stock. S&W calls 'em "stocks" rather than grips.

Then, carefully pull off the right stock, for in that era a serial number was stamped on the inside of the right stock that matches the serial number on the butt!



I don't think it is of any other era. Your "square" latch was used for that specific age range. Two other variants came earlier. Around '66 the square latch gave way to the next new latch seen on the next era covering '68 - the '90s. The Diamond stocks also lost their diamonds around that same time.

Yep, I can't imagine a J-frame in that era having the sixth digit anything but an "8."

By the way, I LOVE your new J-frame M36. Clean and wax it and it will become your favorite concealed carry firearm, very accurate and reliable!

My Model 36 has serial number is in the 301xxx number range, which is in the 1963-64 ball park. Being a round butt, it has smaller numbers on the butt of course.

I'll post next photos showing the matching serial numbers inside the stock and on the butt shortly. Mine is a round butt, so the butt number has to be made a bit smaller than the square butts had. Enjoy!!! It has a special look to it indeed!

Tom

Mine likes the old FBI load for those pocket rocket, a 158gn LSWC (Lead Semi-Wadcutter hollow point) bullet, and it is loaded in my '63 M36 always. This bullet was extremely effective in gunfights, and is still! I recommend this very highly over a semi-wadcutter or hollow point at that weight in your revolver. Others may have other great suggestions.

 

[tom turner]

I believe the serial number on the butt is both original, and with the last character an 8 rather than a B.

Thus, the serial number is indeed in the range of '65. Another sure way to make sure is to carefully remove the grip screw located inside the "diamond" on the left-side stock. S&W calls 'em "stocks" rather than grips.

Then, carefully pull off the right stock, for in that era a serial number was stamped on the inside of the right stock that matches the serial number on the butt!



I don't think it is of any other era. Your "square" latch was used for that specific age range. Two other variants came earlier. Around '66 the square latch gave way to the next new latch seen on the next era covering '68 - the '90s. The Diamond stocks also lost their diamonds around that same time.

Yep, I can't imagine a J-frame in that era having the sixth digit anything but an "8."

By the way, I LOVE your new J-frame M36. Clean and wax it and it will become your favorite concealed carry firearm, very accurate and reliable!

My Model 36 has serial number is in the 301xxx number range, which is in the 1963-64 ball park. Being a round butt, it has smaller numbers on the butt of course.

I'll post next photos showing the matching serial numbers inside the stock and on the butt shortly. Mine is a round butt, so the butt number has to be made a bit smaller than the square butts had. Enjoy!!! It has a special look to it indeed!

Tom

Mine likes the old FBI load for those pocket rocket, a 158gn LSWC (Lead Semi-Wadcutter hollow point) bullet, and it is loaded in my '63 M36 always. This bullet was extremely effective in gunfights, and is still! I recommend this very highly over a semi-wadcutter or hollow point at that weight in your revolver. Others may have other great suggestions.

 

[tom turner]

Photos of latch and stock/butt matching numbers in early-mid '60s

From photos tonight from my personal 1963 era Model 36 round butt in nickel of the unique features of all M36 J-frames in the early and mid-60s.

The inside of the right stock (grip) is stamped with the identical serial number found on the butt. Note: the round butt requires a smaller serial number than the square butt. Note matching numbers. CHECK YOUR'S OUT TO VERIFY YOURS THIS SAME WAY.

The next photo shows the "square latch"
version 3 also proof of 5 years or so of the '60s.

Around 1968 the "diamond" stocks were phased out for the new shape used from '68 though most of the '90s.

These features apply to yours and mine of that era. Indeed, 1965 should be the age of yours. I always look for "diamonds" and square latches in the gunshops, pawn shops and gun shows . . . and Smith revolvers with barrels pinned to the frame. That went away forever in '83. Hope this helps!