Model 36 question, New to this forum, kinda lost.

[mat11]

Hi everyone, new here and lost on this forum.
My wife inherited a 38 spl, Model 36 with a barrel length of about 1.75". I think its a 1950-1960 era Chief Special. It's a 5 shot cylinder. I open it up and it shows "Model 36" On the cylinder swing down and there is a number 52893.
When I remove the aftermarket rubber grip there is the number 52893 on the left hand side of the frame.
On the butt of the grip frame there is a number 347973.
My question is what model is this and the year built?

 

[Sistema1927]

Welcome aboard.

Yes, it is a Model 36, known originally as the Chief's Special, in .38 Special. The SN is the number on the butt, in your case 347973. Someone will be along soon to give you a fairly good guess on the ship date, but note that S&W did not mark with Model numbers until 1958 so your revolver is no older than that.

 

[coachray]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[murphydog]

Here is a good post for needed ID information on S & W revolvers:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

With a few exceptions, the serial number will be on the flat bottom of the grip frame. 347973 in the model 36 series is very likely from 1964; the other numbers show the major parts (yoke, frame) were original to the gun.

 

[mat11]

I thank all of you who have responded to me, thank you very much. I'm going to look around for a tutorial for the use of the threads.
I've got a number of firearms that my wife inherited that I'm re-searching the ages and value's.
Again, thanks to all of you!! Michael

 

[mrsig]

Welcome from Tampa.

 

[URIT]

Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina.

 

[lkabug]

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
This is the place for everything Smith and Wesson, and then some.
The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition is a pretty handy reference to have also.

 

[MetalMan]

....and, we also like photos....

Welcome to our family of enablers from Central Ohio!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Welcome to the campfire!

 

[AppStFan]

Welcome to the forum from North Carolina. There are some very knowledgeable folks here that I am sure can answer your questions about your Model 36.

 

[Jim Sharp]

Nice to have you here - welcome from Colorado.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Glad to have you join us, Mat.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome from Va.

 

[Babysitr]

Welcome from Illinois hope you "hang around"

 

[Zarr]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts.

 

[JH1951]

Hi, Mat. Welcome to the Forum!
Do some fishing around within the 'Forum' tab at the top of the page. You will see how things are broken down. That should lend some comfort to the 'where' issue when you post. Also give special attention to the rules of the Forum - they are what makes this place one of the most civil locations on the Interweb.
p.s. The Mod. 36 is very popular among many of us. If you get a chance please post some pictures.
John

 

[OLDSTER]

Hi from North Dakota

 

[mdf9183]

Welcome from Bastrop, Texas

 

[cmansguns]

I second oldtimers welcome from Virginia! Sounds like you have an original Model 36. When you open the cylinder and look at the Model number stamped there, is there any "dash number". The dash number is the way S & W denotes engineering changes to various guns (some significant...some not-so-significant).

My Model 36 "no-dash" shown below is collectors call 98% condition (basically no visible wear) and is accompanied by its original box, all paperwork, and the vapor paper that it shipped in.

Mine shipped in January 1967. S&W Historical Foundation and members of this Forum have real decent records of when S&W guns shipped from the factory, but there is little information on most models as to the actual date of manufacture which is why collectors go by the "ship date" rather than "when it was made".

If you have a dash number (like my Model 36-1 pic below) it can be very different (barrel length, shape of stocks, etc.) so that is why we love pictures on this Forum. It is very easy to post pics of your Model 36 and if you do post some pics, we can help you with pinning down dates, value estimates etc. Since you inherited other firearms we are not ONLY S&W people, we are interested in all, handguns, long guns, military, foreign, etc. and you will find published authors and experts in just about every firearm you can think of.

Good luck and again....welcome from Virginia!