Lowest Chief Special serial number

[JSR III]

The Chief Special is one of my favorite S&W's. Wondering who here on the forum has the lowest serial number of this old workhorse. Mine is 12433. Still looking for a 2 digit.

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

I was once the owner of .38 Chiefs Special serial # 13--long gone though.

 

[bmcgilvray]

At 2018 mine is not the lowest that has been exhibited here on the Forum. It lettered to J. S. Oshman and Son Houston, Texas and was shipped in March of 1952.

 

[kleinkaliber]

#383. Shipped Nov. '51 to Charles Greenblat Co. New York City.

 

[Mitch_D]

I thought my Baby Chief had a pretty low S/N at 6855, but I've already been whooped good here.

 

[JudgeColt]

#383. Shipped Nov. '51 to Charles Greenblat Co. New York City.

This is interesting. I have Number 651 shipped November 9, 1951 to Charles Greenblat Company, New York, New York! Did Number 383 ship AFTER that?

 

[VM]

Cool post - if anybody has #317, I'd like to buy it
Send me a PM

 

[Club Gun Fan]

At 2018 mine is not the lowest that has been exhibited here on the Forum. It lettered to J. S. Oshman and Son Houston, Texas and was shipped in March of 1952.

That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.

 

[bmg60]

lowest chief special serial number.

hi
I don't have the lowest serial number but I would like to know if any one has a early nickel chief. I have 1406 in nickel all orginal, with numbered grips. in 95% condition. just got a ship date Feb 1952 jim fisher S&WCA 1491

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/SERIALNUMBER1406.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/36SERIAL1406REV4.jpg

 

[JSR III]

Very neat, it didn't take long to get a 4 digit and a 3 digit example. I am discounting Tired Gunsmith's 2 digit as it is no longer in his possession.

By the way, do we know when or around what serial number the "baby chief's" grew up???

 

[bmg60]

Lowest Chief Special serial

hi.
here is my other baby chief. with orginal box numbered to gun.
all matching 96% I have owned this one for over 30 years.
Jim Fisher 1491


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/MOD326SERIAL6362.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/SERIAL6362-1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/REDBOX2.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x240/fisher7677/REDBOX6362.jpg

 

[KSCowboy]

#2321

Here's #2321 and it's Berns Martin Lightning holster. Shipped 3/12/1952 to Elliott's in K.C., MO.

 

[bmcgilvray]

That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.

It shipped on the 5th of March, 1952.

It isn't a really attractive example of the breed but it's an honest injun ol' workin' gun.

 

[kleinkaliber]

This is interesting. I have Number 651 shipped November 9, 1951 to Charles Greenblat Company, New York, New York! Did Number 383 ship AFTER that?

I just looked up my letter. #383 also shipped Nov. 9th!

 

[JudgeColt]

I just looked up my letter. #383 also shipped Nov. 9th!

Wow! One of us should buy or sell! The 300+ gun difference in serial numbers proves once again that Smith did not ship guns in sequence.

 

[JSR III]

That is very interesting, just proves what Roy has stated all along. Still looking for some 2 digit guns.

 

[rburg]

Can't help with Chiefs, but I've got Centennial (different serial sequence) #157. Roy's letter says its "open on company books". No one knows what that means. We've speculated it might be a lunchbox gun, or one snagged by an executive. Remember, back in the day guns weren't regulated like they were after 1968. All I know is it came from the coal fields of eastern KY. Those good ole boys weren't real concerned with paperwork and paper trails.

 

[twaits]

This is very interesting. Maybe one of us should start a photo thread of strictly low serial number guns. This might turn up some interesting guns.

 

[Malysh]

That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.

Sorry Club Gun Fan, I've got you beat. My birthday is 3/14/52 so if bmcgilvray sells it based on your criteria, I am closer to the ship date and I should get it!
Only joking!

 

[EPM]

I've got serial number 879 with the half moon front sight,and mint original wood grips. Also, have a mint period s&w period mother of pearl grips that came with the gun. Not sure of actual mfg. date 1950/1951?
Ed