Smithman1958
Member
In 1977 S&W made 2000 model 36's for the US army. Does anyone have info on the serial range for them. They came with a swivel, serial number in the crane, and either US or made in USA on the backstrap.
Model 36 made for Army.
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I have seen an older factory letter that says they were overruns
from an Army contract, but that's incorrect.
I've researched the model extensively. Here's what I wrote in an
article for the S&W Collectors Association Journal last year.
"The United States Navy placed an order for Chiefs Special
Model 36s with a lanyard ring and the "U.S." military property
stamp on the back strap in 1977. S&W assigned serial number
range J580001 – J584580, shipped 4,278 to the Navy and made
more than ordered in case the Navy rejected any; it did not. The
lanyard ring compelled S&W to stamp the serial number on the
frame in the yoke cut.
"Gun show pal Thom Braxton told me a cleanup boy had
overheard S&W execs pondering how to sell the U.S. marked
overruns on the civilian market. The boy suggested, "Stamp
'MADE IN A.' over the 'U.S.' property stamp." True? I asked
Dr. Jinks, and he said, "Bob, that is a true story." Roy Jinks was
S&W's Handgun Product Manager then so he was in the thick of
it. Dr. Jinks said shipping records show 225 units "Open on the
books, did not ship," and 77 "MADE IN U.S.A. units" sold to five
distributors between September 1978 and June 1980."
Many of the examples I've seen either do not have a serial number
stamped on the inside of the right stock or they have the wrong
serial number stamped there. I cannot explain that observation.
from an Army contract, but that's incorrect.
I've researched the model extensively. Here's what I wrote in an
article for the S&W Collectors Association Journal last year.
"The United States Navy placed an order for Chiefs Special
Model 36s with a lanyard ring and the "U.S." military property
stamp on the back strap in 1977. S&W assigned serial number
range J580001 – J584580, shipped 4,278 to the Navy and made
more than ordered in case the Navy rejected any; it did not. The
lanyard ring compelled S&W to stamp the serial number on the
frame in the yoke cut.
"Gun show pal Thom Braxton told me a cleanup boy had
overheard S&W execs pondering how to sell the U.S. marked
overruns on the civilian market. The boy suggested, "Stamp
'MADE IN A.' over the 'U.S.' property stamp." True? I asked
Dr. Jinks, and he said, "Bob, that is a true story." Roy Jinks was
S&W's Handgun Product Manager then so he was in the thick of
it. Dr. Jinks said shipping records show 225 units "Open on the
books, did not ship," and 77 "MADE IN U.S.A. units" sold to five
distributors between September 1978 and June 1980."
Many of the examples I've seen either do not have a serial number
stamped on the inside of the right stock or they have the wrong
serial number stamped there. I cannot explain that observation.
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kwill1911
Member
Bob beat me to it.
kwill1911
Member
BTW, I've owned a couple of these and one of the letters mentions the story about the back strap markings:
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Excellent explanation for a really convoluted situation at S&W! That is probably at the top of the "what is this gun?" and why list. Just when I thought I heard it all, this comes to light. I read your article in The Journal, Bob, but I guess it slipped from my memory. This is why I love collecting S&W's.
kwill1911
Member
Yes, Aircrew. There were also 100 Model 37 revolvers shipped to the USS Oriskany (John McLain's ship) in June, 1967. These were not marked, nor did they have a lanyard ring.
RM Vivas
US Veteran
I've seen a couple of those up for auction on one of the big auction sites. I think they may have one up now.
Best,
RM Vivas
Best,
RM Vivas
Older thread but I see one for sale and have no clue on value- Minty with box.
What would the fair sale price be??
Regards
What would the fair sale price be??
Regards
In the years I've been watching them I've seen some crazy prices. Smith & Wesson Historian Dr. Roy Jinks helped a great deal with my research on these several years ago. If his research is correct, which it most likely is, there are only 77 of them in the wild so you can imagine the price might be a bit high. I've documented 27 so far, and I've seen up to $2,200 for a flawless example in the correct box with the correct papers and tools. So a fair sale price? You tell me.
More often than not either there is no serial number stamped inside the right stock or if it is there it does not match the butt. Some folks "must have" a matching serial number or they reject the piece, but in this case I don't see it as a show stopper.
Good luck.
ps: Thanks to S&WCA member kwill sharing his database with me I have updated my post to reflect 27 known Navy overrun Model 36s (my original post this morning said "18").
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Thanks much for the intel..
Sellers pictures all match up as does condition and original box.
I did not ask seller to pull the grips but otherwise appears legit.
1800 shipped firm are his terms.
I shoot way more than I collect so really not the best fit for me. Obviously if his number was better I would grab it.
Thanks again for the post !
Sellers pictures all match up as does condition and original box.
I did not ask seller to pull the grips but otherwise appears legit.
1800 shipped firm are his terms.
I shoot way more than I collect so really not the best fit for me. Obviously if his number was better I would grab it.
Thanks again for the post !
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