Model 36 Chief Special Question
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Pisgah
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In S&W's model numbering system, a model number is updated with a "dash number" whenever engineering changes are made in a model. For instance, when the tapered-barrel Model 10 was offered with a heavy barrel, it became the Model 10-1; when they changed the ejector rod threading on the standard barrel, it became the 10-2, and with the same change to the heavy-barrel 10-1, it became the 10-3.
A Model 36 -- just marked 36, not 36-some number -- is a "pre-dash" model.
A Model 36 -- just marked 36, not 36-some number -- is a "pre-dash" model.
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Also keep in mind that previous to 1957 there were no model #s assigned to them, just the model name so no number was stamped in the crane area designating a model. Therefore a pre 36 was just a Chiefs Special.
It means it's frame stamped with a model number, but hasn't had an engineering change (revision). S&W didn't always stamp the revision level on the gun and sometimes you need to look at the features to determine the "dash number".
It's complicated...
Model numbers appeared in 1957-58. Typically, engineering changes had an impact on replacement parts and replaced the former model number (eg. Model 27 vs 27-1). Sometimes, it was used to designate special features and was offered simultaneously with the previous level (eg. Models 10-4 vs 10-5, 36 vs 36-1). The model 36 had a standard weight barrel (2" and 3") and the 36-1 had a 3" heavy barrel. The two were manufactured at the same time.
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Since you specifically asked about the Chiefs Specials, it's even a bit more complicated than the examples Pisgah and s&wchad used.
Dr. Roy Jinks explains in his book, History of Smith & Wesson, that the Chiefs Specials underwent at least four significant "engineering changes" without a change to the model name/number. We don't know why S&W chose to make those changes without identifying the changes as it did with other models.
When S&W finally did add the dash to Chiefs Specials (other than the 36-1 chad already identified), it was 1988. The Model 36 with a 2" barrel became the Model 36-2, and the Model 36-1 with a 3" Heavy Barrel became the Model 36-3. In rapid succession in the late '80s and early '90s the 2" barrels changed to the 36-4, then the 36-7, and finally the 36-9. The 3" Heavy Barrels were subsequently the 36-5, 36-6 (a limited run of Target Models), and 36-8.
When S&W began producing revolvers with the internal lock, the carbon steel Chiefs Specials became the 36-10, and have been available with both 2" and 3" barrels.
Now then, if you really want to get crazy with the dashes, track the Chiefs Special Model 60s.
