Model 36 info needed plz. PICS!

[nate-dogg]

I was at a local estate sale today and there were about 30 guns. All belonged to the same guy. Only 3 S&W revolvers. I got one of them. It is my first model 36 and I am kind of confused about the date of manufacture. It is a 36 no dash with SN 61J75, as pictured, but my Standard Catalog of S&W 4th edition says the J was introduced in 1969 and was on 36-1, if I am reading it right. And what does the 64158 on the grip for? Also, do you think these are the original grips? Any help with the date of this gun is much appreciated. Thanks! Sorry for the crumby cell phone pics.

 

[824tsv]

Nice pic's, nice revolver.
The serial# falls in the "Floating J" serial# series from 1971-1972. The stocks were added by a previous owner. They are S&W J frame target stocks. The other number at the bottom, left side of the frame is the revolvers assembly# that keeps fitted parts together during production and means nothing once it leaves the factory.

 

[nate-dogg]

Thanks for the date. Where is that info at so I can use it for future?

 

[824tsv]

The info is in the serial# tables contained within Standard Catalog of S&W. Page 399 in my 3rd edition.

 

[nate-dogg]

Okay thanks. I found it on page 489 of my 4th edition. The only confusion is that it says the 36-1 was introduced in 1967. Does that mean mine is a -1and they just ran out of room for the -1?

 

[FlyFish]

The information presented on p. 244 of SCSW 4th is a bit confusing, but I think they're saying the "-1" was only used for the 3" heavy barrel versions, something like the way certain dash numbers on the Model 10 indicate standard barrel, others heavy barrel.

 

[nate-dogg]

Okay that would make sense. Thanks for all the replys!

 

[Alk8944]

The 36-1 is specifically the 3" heavy-barrel variant. The 36 and 36-1 were manufactured concurrently until the 36-2 as the excerpt from SCSW you posted indicates.

 

[jcelect]

J frame

You bought a J frame, so stand be to be confused when researching them. The -1 on J frame denotes the change from I frame to J frame! Except, on the model 36 it denotes the 3" Heavy barrel, RB or SB!
jcelect

 

[Alk8944]

You bought a J frame, so stand be to be confused when researching them. The -1 on J frame denotes the change from I frame to J frame! Except, on the model 36 it denotes the 3" Heavy barrel, RB or SB!
jcelect

Ah, no. Dash numbers are specific to individual models, not an entire series except coincidentally. Reference the Models 30, 31, 32, 33 which did not all change frame size at the same time, Without referencing SCSW I believe what you refer to is the Model 34/34-1 changing frame from I to J.

In the case of the Model 36, and Models 40/42 these were always J Frames as the I and Improved I are too short for the .38 Special.

 

[heysox]

I may be wrong, but it looks as if the stocks are for a square butt j frame and yours is a round butt. Do they fit well?

 

[nate-dogg]

I may be wrong, but it looks as if the stocks are for a square butt j frame and yours is a round butt. Do they fit well?

They fit great. Very snug and no wiggle. I haven't shot it yet tho, so hopefully they stay snug. Maybe they are round to Square conversion? Or maybe they fit both rounds and square? Beats me. I've got a bakers dozen smith revolvers, but I mainly like larger frame guns. The only other j frames I have are a 642 and a 640 pro, so I don't know much about the j frames.

 

[jcelect]

Ah, yes

Ah, no. Dash numbers are specific to individual models, not an entire series except coincidentally. Reference the Models 30, 31, 32, 33 which did not all change frame size at the same time, Without referencing SCSW I believe what you refer to is the Model 34/34-1 changing frame from I to J.

In the case of the Model 36, and Models 40/42 these were always J Frames as the I and Improved I are too short for the .38 Special.

If you went to the SCSW and looked up each model number you referenced, including the model 34 and 35, you will see the statement that in the early 60s the -1 indicates "begin J frame production at approx serial xxxxxx". You are correct about the model 36, 37, 40/42, 38, 43, and 49 being made only on the J frame. On these models the -1 indicates a totally different engineering change and these models were never made on the I frame. However on the early model 36 S&W used the grip and trigger guard size of the I frame. The collecting world refers to these as the "baby chief's".
OP! As you stated, the grips will fit a RB or SB as the grips orient on the pin at the bottom and the washer in the top.

 

[flagman1776]

I have similar (non-checkered) target grips THAT I normally use on my square butt J frame M34 .22 but whch I occasionally switch to my round butt M36-1 M38Sp. They work just fine.

You should have asked if they found any grips among the gent's shooting things because the original magma service stocks would enhanse it's collector's value.

 

[nate-dogg]

You should have asked if they found any grips among the gent's shooting things because the original magma service stocks would enhanse it's collector's value.

There were some other grips on the table. I bought two sets. A set of K frame Diamond Magnas and a set of K frame magna's without the diamonds. I did not see any J frame grips. The two sets of grips that I bought were inside an empty Smith & Wesson handcuff box. The box is in near mint condition and on the side it says Smith & Wesson model 90 nickel. It has the Handcuff key and the two sets of grips in the box, but I could not find the handcuffs anywhere.