Model 36 date range?

[Gavinu]

Grandfather's backup service pistol. And he was in fact a chief... so the chiefs special fits. Serial 198455. Matching serial on the grips. Pinned barrel. No flat latch. New to the forum. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum!

Nice gun and a wonderful family heirloom! I’d guess the Chiefs Special dates sometime around 1960. It should be model marked (MOD 36) in the frame cut. That cylinder release latch is what collectors refer to as a flat latch. There were a few variations over the years (some flatter than others) and they were discontinued in 1966. The gun has a round butt grip frame and those are the factory original diamond Magna stocks.

This thread should help (click on it): To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Hopefully, you have some documented history on your Grandfather as Chief. His badge and/or ID would also make a great accompaniment to the gun!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice looking Chiefs Special.

That flat latch is the last style in a series of flat latches that began in 1951, the year after S&W introduced the Chiefs Special.

Based on others in my database, I'd guess S&W shipped your granddad's Chiefs Special in the spring or summer of 1961.

 

[photoman]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice looking Chiefs Special.

That flat latch is the last style in a series of flat latches that began in 1951, the year after S&W introduced the Chiefs Special.

Based on others in my database, I'd guess S&W shipped your granddad's Chiefs Special in the spring or summer of 1961.

Bob... Is that database posted anywhere? Looking for serial number range for 1961.

 

[Gavinu]

Thanks all. While it's fun to shoot, I think I'll keep this one in a glass case with some photos of pop in it... and maybe a hammer that says break glass in case of emergency.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... I think I'll keep this one in a glass case with some photos of pop in it... and maybe a hammer that says break glass in case of emergency.

A nice tribute! Send along a photo of that display when you get it done, please.

Bob... Is that database posted anywhere? Looking for serial number range for 1961.

Looking for a birth year Chiefs?

I update my database almost daily. I don't post it anywhere. Roughly speaking I have about 1% of the Chiefs made for any specific era. That doesn't sound like many, but at 40 entries per page, the database is pushing 60 pages, and I don't have a ship date for every entry.

It's hard to determine a "range" for almost any year Chiefs Specials. Since S&W didn't ship them in serial number order, the shipping dates are always a guess without confirmation from Dr. Jinks.

I've found the blue 2" round butts are relatively consistent in shipping order (not always), but a 3" barrel, a square butt, a nickel finish, an Airweight (or Model 37), a Bodyguard Airweight (or Model 38) a Model 49, and most especially a CST (Chiefs Special Target model) can be much earlier than the norm or far later (the CST's are usually much, much later). I don't have enough examples to make a firm estimation with any of these.

I'd guess (and that's all it is) if you look for a Chiefs Special Model 36 in the 200000 - 240000 range you're likely to find a '61 shipper. There are Chiefs and Bodyguards within this range that shipped in '62 or '63, and some of the '61 shipped CST's go back to s/n 150xxx.

 

[photoman]

Looking for a birth year Chiefs?

I update my database almost daily. I don't post it anywhere. Roughly speaking I have about 1% of the Chiefs made for any specific era. That doesn't sound like many, but at 40 entries per page, the database is pushing 60 pages, and I don't have a ship date for every entry.

It's hard to determine a "range" for almost any year Chiefs Specials. Since S&W didn't ship them in serial number order, the shipping dates are always a guess without confirmation from Dr. Jinks.

I've found the blue 2" round butts are relatively consistent in shipping order (not always), but a 3" barrel, a square butt, a nickel finish, an Airweight (or Model 37), a Bodyguard Airweight (or Model 38) a Model 49, and most especially a CST (Chiefs Special Target model) can be much earlier than the norm or far later (the CST's are usually much, much later). I don't have enough examples to make a firm estimation with any of these.

I'd guess (and that's all it is) if you look for a Chiefs Special Model 36 in the 200000 - 240000 range you're likely to find a '61 shipper. There are Chiefs and Bodyguards within this range that shipped in '62 or '63, and some of the '61 shipped CST's go back to s/n 150xxx.

Thanks for the excellent information! Yes, on the lookout for a birth year Model 36. Thanks again.