Model 36 MFG Date

[brn1110]

Need a DATE of MFG for Model 36 no dash Ser No 2J201x. can't find anything in SCSW.

 

[MetalMan]

Based on the information below, “2J” prefix would appear to be post-1983.

I’m sure that someone will chime in and narrow the DOB a bit further....

Early J frame serial numbers
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions.

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.

1969-1970 = J1 - J99999
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX

1955 - 4 screw side plate ends
1957 - stamping of model number at 125000
1966 - flat latch ends
1968 - diamond grips end
1975 - heavy barrel standard
1982 - end pinned barrel

 

[brn1110]

Model mfg date

Pinned barrel ended 1982 - this one has pinned barrel ?

 

[Absalom]

Pinned barrel ended 1982 - this one has pinned barrel ?

Ah, that floating J and the SCSW again.

The gun is from 1971/72. You have to read the SCSW carefully and count the digits. Post-1983 serials have a J within six digits, the 1971/72 series (like the OP’s gun) a maximum of five.

 

[brn1110]

Thanks, found this gun at gun show 98%

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

My data base shows some odd anomalies for the 2JXXXX serials. Is yours a target model (adjustable rear sights)? If so, it could have shipped as late as '75. If not it might have shipped in '70.

Only a letter from Roy will let you know for sure.

 

[linde]

. . . The gun is from 1971/72. You have to read the SCSW carefully and count the digits. Post-1983 serials have a J within six digits, the 1971/72 series (like the OP’s gun) a maximum of five.

. . . it might have shipped in '70. Only a letter from Roy will let you know for sure.

That's my understanding as well . . . while Absalom's '71/'72 date is 99% correct for the floating J serial numbers with up to five numerical digits, there were a very few in the single digit before the letter J that shipped in late 1970.

trivia: if one assumes an equal number of floating J examples in 1971 and 1972, the '71 versus '72 ship date transition occurs around 54JXXX. If that's not intuitive, consider that there are 10,000 combinations for XJXXXX and only 100 for XXXJXX.

Russ

 

[two-bit cowboy]

trivia: if one assumes an equal number of floating J examples in 1971 and 1972, the '71 versus '72 ship date transition occurs around 54JXXX. If that's not intuitive, consider that there are 10,000 combinations for XJXXXX and only 100 for XXXJXX.

Yeah, Russ, this is a wild several years for serial numbers and ship dates.

My list shows as high as 8JXXXX shipping in '70.

The transition for '71 - '72 seems to happen around the 42JXXX range, but my list is really spotty on either side of that so as with most things S&W it's impossible to pin down.

Some in the 9XXJXX range left the factory as late as '74, and if you're talking about the Target models in that range, of which there were a fair few, it's as late as '78.

The earliest JXXXXXX on my list (J103XXX) left the factory in April '73 so there was clearly a LOT of overlap during that period.