model 36 age?

[richhair]

I recently bought a model 36 38 speacial and was trying to find out how old it is. It is stamped mod 36 inside yoke and serial number on bottom of grip is j196523. It has two screws not counting grip screw, i dont have a small enough screwdriver yet to remove grip to see if there is a third. I also was wondering if it was worth spending the $50 on s&w site for authenticity letter for the revolver? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[linde]

. . . a model 36 38 special and was trying to find out how old it is . . . serial number on bottom of grip is j196523 . . .

I would estimate late-1973 or early 1974.

Russ

 

[Bert Man]

Richhair, welcome to the forum. According to the Standard Catalog Of Smith&wesson, your model 36 was shioped in the 1973-74 time period(most likely 1973.) Your revolver is a 3-screw. The 3rd screw will be under the right side stock and your revolver has the square grip which is seen a bit less often than the round butt version. Many shooters feel that the square butt gives a better grip, especially for those with larger hands although the round butt conceals a slight bit better. The factory letter will tell you when your gun was shipped, with which features and who it was originally shipped to, usually a wholesale distributor or LE agency. You don't get much additional information unless the gun has a unique provenance.

I have a m36 round butt which shipped in 1974 and have carried it off-duty and as a backup since it was new. They are really nice little revolvers and I wouldn't part with mine. You probably won't either.

Hope this helps.

 

[richhair]

Thank you for the infromation, and your right i probably wont part with it. I went to range yesterday and was very pleased with how it shoots, now as long as i can keep my wife from taking it as her daily carry lol. Again thanks for the info much appreciated.

 

[peterdeb]

Thank you for the infromation, and your right i probably wont part with it. I went to range yesterday and was very pleased with how it shoots, now as long as i can keep my wife from taking it as her daily carry lol. Again thanks for the info much appreciated.

They are great little shooters! And if the wife takes it, that's a bonus because you will have to buy another one for yourself. That's exactly what happened in my house. It's a Win-Win situation pal........