Lowest Chief Special serial number

JSR III

JSR III

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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.
 
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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.
 
I thought my Baby Chief had a pretty low S/N at 6855, but I've already been whooped good here.
 
kleinkaliber said:
#383. Shipped Nov. '51 to Charles Greenblat Co. New York City.
Click to expand...

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?
 
bmcgilvray said:
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.
Click to expand...

That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
 
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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???:confused:
 
#2321

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

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Club Gun Fan said:
That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
Click to expand...


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.

DSCF2465.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
Club Gun Fan said:
That is cool, my birth month and year, any chance it is the 23rd??
If you decide to sell it, I'd be interested.
Click to expand...

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!
 
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
 
EPM, lets see some pics. I'd like to see those pearl grips on the gun or off.

EPM said:
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
Click to expand...
 
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