Lowest Chief Special serial number

[JSR III]

Do any of you guys own an "i frame" ? I've never seen one, but they sound interesting.

If you are referring to any "I" frame, then yes, I own several. If you are referring to an "I" frame Chief Special then I have to advise you that they do not exist.

The Chief Special was ONLY ever made on the "J" frame as the cylinder and the cylinder window were longer to accomodate the new longer .38 special cartridge. The butt and trigger guard of the early "J" frames were smaller and therefore collectors refer to these early guns as "Baby Chiefs". Since they are similar in size to the "I" frame, many folks confuse this fact and think that these early chiefs are "I" frames or improved "I" frames. That is not the case due to the enlarged frame window and they are only built on the "J" frame.

I hope that is what you were asking, if not please disregard my prior transmission.


Still looking for any 1 or 2 digit guns. Any new additions???

 

[geoff40]

#588 is for sale right now, at North East firearms in Maine. 2K they are asking for it.

 

[delmaxfield]

I have S/N #48463 and It is not a Baby Smith, Lee is right it is in the mid 40,000's we determined that on a recent thread. I can not find the Thread but I believe it was around 46,000.

 

[JSR III]

OK, been a while since this thread was up top so I am reviving it. Still looking for 1 and 2 digit Chief Specials of the pre model 36 variety, not those modern ones made when S&W decided to reuse the term Chief Special.

 

[model3sw]

I have 2, 4 digit SNs ... still looking for a 2 digit or single digit SN.

 

[wordsmith]

I bought and sold # 4 last year, in 2012. It is 'open on the books', according to Roy. I acquired the gun thru an auction sale, from the wife of the 2nd owner, she got it in the divorce. The ex-husband is quite well know in the shooting community and was not a happy camper that she got custody / ownership in the property settlement.

David

 

[medxam]

David,

What do you think the value of #4 would be today if you had it for sale?

medxam

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I have a lead on serial number 4. It is open on the books. I spoke to the gentleman who aquired it from the guy that from the second owner. I sent the story to Mike Speers but somehow it didn't get posted.

I am seeing the guy who sold it and I'll try to buy it.

I found the new owner of #4. I met him at the Annual in KC. I don't know if he wants to reveal his identity at this time.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I bought and sold # 4 last year, in 2012. It is 'open on the books', according to Roy. I acquired the gun thru an auction sale, from the wife of the 2nd owner, she got it in the divorce. The ex-husband is quite well know in the shooting community and was not a happy camper that she got custody / ownership in the property settlement.

David

Davis
I posted my reply before I saw your thread. I know who it was given to by S&W.
If I can remember who bought it, I'll send him a note with the information I have. I would have liked to have bought it, I have chased it for about 10 years.

 

[tex60]

Serial # 925 shipped November 13, 1951 to St Louis MO.

 

[Hondo44]

The 1st one shipped was #6, Oct, 1950. We know these don't ship in sequence, but 925 must have been shipped way out of sequence because I have to believe they shipped a lot more than about 1000 guns in the first 13 months.

 

[hotrod150]

......I know who it was given to by S&W........

So who was s/n 4 given to by S&W? I seem to recall reading that they gave J Edgar Hoover one of the first ones.

 

[wordsmith]

Purely because of privacy and respect between the buyer and me, I wouldn't quote the selling price, Buddy, but will tell you that it was expensive...

David

David,

What do you think the value of #4 would be today if you had it for sale?

medxam

 

[wordsmith]

Send me the info in an e-mail, Don. I'll be sure he gets it.

David

Davis
I posted my reply before I saw your thread. I know who it was given to by S&W.
If I can remember who bought it, I'll send him a note with the information I have. I would have liked to have bought it, I have chased it for about 10 years.

 

[medxam]

Thanks David, I understand!

medxam (Buddy)

 

[JSR III]

Bump to the top, been a few months with no new entries.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Love this thread, but all I've got to offer is a measly 5 digit 201xx.

 

[TLflag]

Model 36

I have 5 Baby Chiefs, the lowest serial number is#765. The rest are all 5 numbers.

 

[tftech1]

Low Serial Number Threads

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.

I like this idea!!

 

[wiskerchew]

I just got #1972 that's nickel plated......not lettered yet but will be waiting the 5-6 months for it to return..

Then few months later got 1642 blued. Both for a few hundred bucks each