Model 36 no dash

[daleearnhardtt]

i picked up this little gem yesterday for just a few hundred dollars. really happy with it but would like some help dating it and with the numbers

lots of conflicting things online but everyone pointed me here

under the yoke says MOD 36 (no spacing) followed by a 20XXX number, but the bottom of the butt says 336XXX. i think this means its from 1962, maybe?

also below the yoke number there are some odd and faintly stamped "3"'s (3 of them) all different sizes

does this mean parts were replaced? you can see its been opened before from the screw wear

can take more pics if needed, would like to know more about the gun

 

[daleearnhardtt]

Also any idea of the value of this little guy? i know value is in the eye of the beholder but just a general idea, gunbroker suggests ~$450 but more of those have letter prefixes, not sure how age affects value on something like this

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the forum. I'm certain information will be forthcoming. More pictures will be quite helpful. From what I see so far it is a nice catch.

 

[daleearnhardtt]

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

here are some more pics, not sure what else you guys would want

 

[Marshal Kane]

It's got the flat cylinder latch which is fairly rare. Very nice looking 36, you will enjoy shooting this.

 

[Bumpus13]

336xxx from the butt is the serial number.

The SCSW 4th places it in a range from:

1962 - 295000
1969 - 786544

The thumbpiece changed from flatlatch to standard latch in 1966. It also would have the diamond stocks until 1968, so those look fine.


Likely from 1962-1966, but as with everything S&W ... Take that with a grain of salt without a letter from Mr. Jinks

 

[daleearnhardtt]

thank you guys for the info. can anyone tell by looking at this if its nickel-plated or just stainless steel? people have told me both, i thought stainless but idk what a 50 year old nickel-plating looks like

 

[Gene L]

A stainless Chief's Special would be a Model 60. So it's nickel.

 

[peterdeb]

Welcome to the forum. That is a very nice snag for a "few hundred bucks".
An early 36, in nickle, dressed in diamonds....Very nice!!! take off the grips and see if the right one has the same s/n stamped into it as the frame. Also on the bottom of the frame at the bottom there should be a "N" stamped into it indicating it is a factory nickle and not refinished. A little polishing and you will be surprised how well it will shine and how accurate they are.

 

[El_Phantasmo]

Nice score.

I have a nickel flat latch Chiefs Special that shoots really nice.

 

[daleearnhardtt]

Welcome to the forum. That is a very nice snag for a "few hundred bucks".
An early 36, in nickle, dressed in diamonds....Very nice!!! take off the grips and see if the right one has the same s/n stamped into it as the frame. Also on the bottom of the frame at the bottom there should be a "N" stamped into it indicating it is a factory nickle and not refinished. A little polishing and you will be surprised how well it will shine and how accurate they are.

i paid $200 for it, and it does have the "n" stamp. ive only cleaned it with a microfiber rag, id like to polish it up... any suggestions on what to use? im pretty good with a dremel and have some buffing wheels, would this be a bad idea?

also any idea of value for this baby? i actually cant find a nickel one with the same latch online with a price, or a current price i should say, lots of 10+ year old post, id imagine its gain a little value over the last decade

 

[peterdeb]

i paid $200 for it, and it does have the "n" stamp. ive only cleaned it with a microfiber rag, id like to polish it up... any suggestions on what to use? im pretty good with a dremel and have some buffing wheels, would this be a bad idea?

also any idea of value for this baby? i actually cant find a nickel one with the same latch online with a price, or a current price i should say, lots of 10+ year old post, id imagine its gain a little value over the last decade

Everyone has their personal preferences as to what polish to use. Flitz's, never dull, mothers, any chrome/nickle polish I think would work. I would advise to only lightly hand polish the nickle and don't use a dremel. You might burn through the nickle plating. Ren wax after is a nice touch too.
IMHO, depending on the condition, which is everything, I would think a nickle, flat latch, square butt with matching grips would retail $400 - $500. Although not particularly rare, many S&W affectionados like nickle or flat latch and you have both in that revolver. I know I would like one!!