Just picked up this Model 36 1

[JiminMaine]

I just picked up this Mod 36 1 today and have a question about it. It is a 3" with very little wear, I know the person that has owned it for the last few decades and know it was very seldom shot.
My question is about the Mod 36 1 in the frame. It doesn't have the dash between the 36 and the 1. The 1 is also a different size and font. Is this just the way they did it back then? I've never seen a "dash any thing" without the dash.

Serial number is 459XXX, no prefix.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That's most certainly a 3" Heavy Barrel Chiefs Special, which defines the Model 36-1.

The earliest known Model 36-1 is serial number 456xxx so yours is not far behind.

You might not ever learn why there's no dash between the six and one.

With Smith & Wesson you must learn not say "never" because you "never know" what you'll find.