Looking for info on a 38 special
- Thread starter KingBDS
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RM Vivas
US Veteran
1962 or so vintage 3" Model 36 that was rode hard and put away wet.
When I see them in that shape, there's usually residue of an EVIDENCE sticker someplace.
Best,
RM Vivas
When I see them in that shape, there's usually residue of an EVIDENCE sticker someplace.
Best,
RM Vivas
Somebody had to work diligently to get that little revolver into that ****** a condition.
I believe the J prefix serial number dates to more like early 70s than 1962. 1962 production would have had a flat latch and diamond grips originally. I have a 36 #315389 that has a flat latch and had diamond grips originally that I guess to be 1963 production.
Last edited:
It is from 1975.
Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.
Thank you for sharing your "charactered" Chiefs Special with us.
Based on a few others in the database and the ampersand in the
Smith & Wesson text on the left side of the barrel, I would say the
company likely shipped yours in 1974.
Yours is a perfect candidate for a soft cotton cloth, a tube of Flitz
Polish, some time, and a wee bit of patience. I believe you would
be amazed at the results. They might even prove worthy of a set
of replacement magna stocks with the checkering still intact.
Thank you for sharing your "charactered" Chiefs Special with us.
Based on a few others in the database and the ampersand in the
Smith & Wesson text on the left side of the barrel, I would say the
company likely shipped yours in 1974.
Yours is a perfect candidate for a soft cotton cloth, a tube of Flitz
Polish, some time, and a wee bit of patience. I believe you would
be amazed at the results. They might even prove worthy of a set
of replacement magna stocks with the checkering still intact.
Welcome to the Forum! According to the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Ed.", s/n J253092 was manufactured in 1975 (J s/n prefixes began in 1969). I am curious as to why this revolver is stamped "Model 36" and not "Model 36-1" since the production change was made in 1967. The 3" pinned heavy barrel became standard in 1975 until the pin was discontinued in 1982. Your revolver definitely shows signs of neglect, but most of that could be remedied with some TLC as mentioned by two-bit cowboy. The wood stocks could be somewhat restored if you're a DIY guy. There are a lot of Chiefs Special and Model 36 fans here on the Forum, so you should get some additional information soon. Enjoy!
You've been sucked into a misnomer.
S&W introduced the 3" Heavy Barrel Model 36-1 in 1966. The
company continued, concurrently, to produce the Model 36 with
2" and 3" lightweight barrels for another decade, deleting only the
3" lightweight barrel in 1976. The first "engineering change"
model number for Chiefs Specials came in 1988 with the Models
36-2 (2") and 36-3 (3").
The Chiefs Special (and Bodyguard) serial numbers with a J run
this way:
J1-J99999: 1969-1970
1J1-999J99: 1970-1973
J100000-J999999: 1973-1983
1J00000-1J47502: 1982/83
RM Vivas
US Veteran
My bad, didn't see the J-prefix. I have one not too farr off that dates to 1974.
Best,
RM Vivas
Best,
RM Vivas
Thank you.
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks a bunch for sharing all that info. I’ll definitely clean and restore it sometime soon. I’ll post some pics when I’m done. I’ve never restored a gun before, but I’ve done a lot of metal and woodworking, so I’m hoping it turns out well. Any tips or recommendations on how to restore would be great. I did see the one reply already with some tips, thank you. Thanks again for all the great info!
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks a bunch for sharing all that info. I’ll definitely clean and restore it sometime soon. I’ll post some pics when I’m done. I’ve never restored a gun before, but I’ve done a lot of metal and woodworking, so I’m hoping it turns out well. Any tips or recommendations on how to restore would be great. I did see the one reply already with some tips, thank you. Thanks again for all the great info!
