Model 36 (no dash)

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TEXVET

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A local gun store where I shop, has a Model 36 (no dash) for sale on consignment.
The gun is the typical 2" blued model with checkered wood stocks. It has some minor holster wear on both sides of the barrel near the front sight. The gun appears to be mechanically sound and in 90% to 95% condition (my estimate). The consignor does not have the original box or paperwork.
The gun is priced at $495. I tried doing internet research on the current pricing for this gun. I found old posts and new posts with prices that varied all over the place. I would like to buy this gun at a fair price. I also understand S&W produced several hundred thousand of this gun over the years, so it is not a rare revolver.
I am in Texas and would appreciate any advice from those that have more experience with these older Smiths than I do.
Thanks.
 
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Yes, many were made, so condition is everything as far as value is concerned. From what I can tell of your description, it would probably go in the $425 to $500 range, so the dealer isn't far off. A little lower offer may result in a little lower price, or at least save the sales tax equivalent.
 
I have purchased four other older Smiths from this dealer over the past 3.5 months. They have a bottom dollar price for each consignment piece which is usually about $75 to $80 dollars below the posted price. I just wanted to get a fair price range. I don't want to rape the seller, if he is selling the gun for financial reasons.
I am willing to pay a fair price for the things I buy, but I don't want to get bent over either.
Thanks for the advice.
 
495 (I assume plus tax) seems high to me. If it was in premium condition, maybe. If premium including original grips box and etc- go for it.
I just bought a typical 2" RB blue M36 with a little holster wear and some minor scuffs in the blueing, sounds like it's in about the same shape as the one you're descibing or maybe a tiny bit rougher. I gave $350 out the door at the LGS. But then again, I own several other Chiefs including two other 2" RB blues just like this one, so it was not even close to a "must have" gun for me.
 
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Are the grips numbered to it? Ask them to remove them. Does it have a flat latch? What is the serial number? I have a 36 no dash that shipped in 7/59 with a flat latch. If you can get him to $450 I would think that is a good price.
 
I agree with hotrod150, $495 seems a little steep. Of course, condition is everything, and the gun is not pristine. Also depends on what you want to do with it, and it can be reblued if the external condition bothers you. I would offer $395 and see what happens.

There are far too many reasons out there to overprice used guns.
 
I bought a 36 no dash last month. It is in 90-95% condition (I shoot it and have carried it). I paid $500+ tax in NY (prices here suck)

Your deal, IMHO, is just a "fair" buy. Probably high for Texas for what sounds like a shooter. I like the idea of offering about $400. Consignment pieces usually have a predetermined low price. That might make getting a good deal impossible. Problem is that someone will buy it at their price sooner than later.

Common thinking is that S&W revolvers are going up on/about 1/1/14. That will most likely kick up used pieces and in general these have steadily increased for the past few years or longer.

Good luck! 36 flat latches are fun and a sweet J to own.
 

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I regularly buy guns from this dealer, so they usually give me the bottom dollar price the consignor has allowed.

This gun does not have the flat cylinder latch. Another gun store in town does have a similar Model 36 with the flat thumb latch. The gun is priced at $695 in the display case, but the owner told me he would take $575 cash + tax. I thanked him and respectfully declined.

The problem I am having is the fact so many were made. Are they popular enough that a person would have little trouble selling/trading one later one? I am new to the S&W culture. I started my collection four months ago with a "like N.I.B." Model 15-4. Since then I have acquired 12 more P/R revolvers. I now have enough that I can start trading up for the more expensive models. I would one day like to get a nice Model 25-2 in .45 Colt, or maybe something out of the ordinary like a Model 610.

Since my Army days back in 1968, I have been shooting and trading 1911 pistols. I still own several 1911s, but buying and selling older S&W revolvers is much more fun. Besides the older Smiths are so much better looking.
 
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I have this Model 36 for sale for $450 obo...I am in TN.
 
attn TEXVET

I posted on another thread yesterday (can't recall which) that there are far too many reasons out there to overcharge on used guns. A boatload of Chiefs have been produced...
 
You shouldn't have any trouble reselling that gun should you decide to, but you might have trouble getting your money back out of it if you pay that 495 price. I'd keep looking.
FWIW I've gotten most of my better deals from private partyy sellers. A couple of 442-2's that I paid about 300 for, and several 36's that I paid between 300 and 360 for. There are three different local guns-for-sale websites in my area, that's where I've found most of mine. I've only bought one of my (currently seven) j-frames from a gun shop.
 
MDPCOP353 there was no attached picture in your post.

I called the LGS and offered $395 for the gun + tax. They called the consigner and he agreed to sell the gun for $395. I am picking it up on my way home.

They tell me the gun is definitely a Model 36 (no dash) and it also does not have the J prefix in front of the serial number. I will be interested in finding out when it was produced. With it not having a J prefix, it was made prior to 1969 I understand.

LOWERCASE where did you get the grip extension your 36 is wearing?
I like that. I never have liked the small J frame grips, but I didn't much want to put a Hogue grip on it either. The 36 I am buying is not quite as nice as your gun, mine is more of a shooter.

Anyway case is closed and thanks again for your advice.
JD
 
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The serial number on this new Model 36 starts with 754***. You guys have been helpful determining the production date of a couple of other models I own, can you help dating this gun? I assume it dates somewhere between 1955 and 1967. The stocks are number matched to the gun but they do not have the diamond pattern around the stock screw.
 
Howdy, Texvet!
Thank you for your service.
I bought a 1969 Model 36 about 12-18 months ago in Tyler, Tx (95%). Paid $400 for gun. Included a vintage Lawrence holster and canvas-zippered gun pouch.
About 3 months ago, I bought a 1971 Model 36 for $200 but it had a little surface rust (easily removed without pitting) and a chipped hammer (which I bobbed for pocket carry...sweet!).
I found both on texasguntrader.com.
Check it out...some good deals and gives you a feeling for "local" prices in Texas. $400 is a normal price in East Texas for a good 36 with accessories or rounds.
You can't go wrong with a 36.
Oh,yeah...Eezox works very well on blued guns for me in the Texas humidity.
 
I held back on posting this until you got the answers you needed, but I bought my M36 from a private party (my ex-landlord) for $300 cash. It came with a nice vintage Eubanks holster a set of Herrett Shooting Star grips, and even a nearly full box of Winchester LRN ammo. It's about a 95% gun IMO. Of course that isn't the kind of deal you expect to find every day either - I really lucked into it...
 
I have a model 36 in the nickel finish. Excellent condition and would like to find the year it was produced. How do I go about that? and is there a value difference since it is in the nickel?
Thanks guys, I am new to the forum.

KJP
 
TEXVET said:
The serial number on this new Model 36 starts with 754***. You guys have been helpful determining the production date of a couple of other models I own, can you help dating this gun? I assume it dates somewhere between 1955 and 1967. The stocks are number matched to the gun but they do not have the diamond pattern around the stock screw.
Click to expand...

From my limited research, your gun would be 1968 or newer (based on the lack of "diamond" grips). I'm going with '68/69 production.
 
As fas as the OP's 754xxx s/n, SCSW says 1962 295000 and 1969 786544.
KJP, post your s/n (x out the last 2 digits for privacy if you want) and someone here can look it up for you. I own one nickel M36 & IMHO they are worth a little more than blue ones just because they're less common.
 
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The serial number is 7543XX. What concerns me now is what the S&W guy told me when I called to confirm year of production. He told me the serial number I gave him is for a Model 36-1. It seems S&W changed to the J serial number prefix in 1969, the gun does not have the J prefix. I read that the Model 36-1 was a special order police gun with a heavy barrel. My Model 36 does not have a heavy barrel. I assume it was made either in 68 or 69 prior to the serial number change, but with the grip change. I am going to be more than PO'ed if it turns out this gun has had the original barrel replaced.

The LGS where I bought the gun is very honest, so I am 95% sure the gun is original. The S&W guy has me a little concerned though.
 
fyimo said:
I bought flat latch pre Model 36 several years ago in 90% condition for $475 if this is any help.
Click to expand...

Is that a Baby Chief? I see it has the early flat latch and hammer.I also noticed the stocks,Are they modified combat stocks? Interesting gun to say the least.
 
I just noticed this myself. People often have different terms, but most of us here use "pre model 36" or "model of 1953 Chief" to identify the 1953-56 Chief Special, same as the 1957-on model 36 except no model number.
Hard to tell from the angle, but this photo looks like an original Chiefs Special, or "baby Chief", with the smaller rounder trigger guard and first style flat latch.

fyimo said:
I bought flat latch pre Model 36 several years ago in 90% condition for $475 if this is any help.
Click to expand...
 
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