Model 36 flat latch year of production

[Doug G]

What year was this made Sn388931 grips match the serial. I am wanting to make an offer on it from an estate, what is a ball park value? I've seen one sell on Gun Broker that went cheap. It was dropped on concrete in the past as the muzzle has a small abrasion.

 

[Model19man]

Well the Smith & Wesson book says they changed from the final design flat latch to the conventional latch in 1964 so yours was made before that. Being a three screw I am guessing your revolver is model marked in the crane area so it was made between around 1958 and 1964. That will be about the closest you can get without having a S&W letter to show the actual ship date.

 

[alwslate]

Are you sure it's a model 36 and not a model 37? The frame looks like alloy rather than steel in the pics.

 

[Doug G]

Are you sure it's a model 36 and not a model 37? The frame looks like alloy rather than steel in the pics.

Yes, marked Mod.36 on the frame.

 

[Doug G]

Well the Smith & Wesson book says they changed from the final design flat latch to the conventional latch in 1964 so yours was made before that. Being a three screw I am guessing your revolver is model marked in the crane area so it was made between around 1958 and 1964. That will be about the closest you can get without having a S&W letter to show the actual ship date.

That is what the S&W book said, but my copy is old so I thought maybe information was updated. Did they use both types of cylinder releases at the same time?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

No, the engineering change to go to the contoured thumbpiece is dated February 11, 1966. The change happened almost overnight at around serial number 402xxx.

The serial number of the Chiefs Special Model 36 you're looking at is from about spring 1965, based on others near it in the database.

Price? $600 or thereabouts.

 

[Doug G]

Thanks for the info Cowboy. Just saw one sell on Gun Broker last week for $255, granted the blue was not as nice, but damn close. Maybe the right person missed it?

 

[alwslate]

$600 is way too high in my opinion. I bought a flat latch 36 made in 1963 a few years ago for $225. Yes it is a bit rougher than yours with well worn grips and has been dropped a time or two and shows it. But it is in solid shooter grade condition with a lot of life left in it.