Model 36 Question

[Steven Woods]

I bought a S&W 36 today. I see no dash or additional number. Yet the serial no. J298xxx indicates 1975/76. How can that be possible?

 

[gmborkovic]

Is that the number off of the butt? what is that mark on the yoke under the barrel?

 

[Steven Woods]

Well, yes the ser # is on the butt. The only other numbers on the gun I've shown in the pictures.

 

[Bastogne71]

The M36-1 was the three inch barrel starting in 1967. The dash 2 was introduced in 1988 so your mid 1970's model is correctly marked as a no dash.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition

 

[gmborkovic]

Is there a stamp on the yoke under the barrel? Gun looks right.

 

[Steven Woods]

Thank you Bastogne71

 

[MetalMan]

Based upon the information in the chart below, the serial number your have listed falls within the 1975/1976 production dates.

Hope this helps.....


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

 

[rwsmith]

Forgive me please.....

The M36-1 was the three inch barrel starting in 1967. The dash 2 was introduced in 1988 so your mid 1970's model is correctly marked as a no dash.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition

I'm not getting something. If the gun is mid 70s, it seems like it would be a -1, but the OP says that it's a 'no dash' model.

 

[rockquarry]

I don't know when the dashes began, but I have several J-frame guns, none of which have dashes. These are not old guns; the oldest may be from the early '70s.

 

[BC38]

I'm not getting something. If the gun is mid 70s, it seems like it would be a -1, but the OP says that it's a 'no dash' model.

Most models when a new "dash" number was introduced it was due to an engineering change being made and the new dash number replaced the previous dash number and the previous dash number stopped being produced
(-1 replaced -2, and production of -1 ceased).

This is one of the rare exceptions (maybe the only one?).
36 no-dash and 36-1 were both being produced at the same time.
The 36-1 was the 3" Heavy Barrel variant.

To make it just a little more confusing there were also 36 no-dash versions being produced with a 3" barrel - but it was a slimmer, tapered barrel - not the Heavy Barrel (non-tapered, "bull" barrel).

So at one time (as I understand it) the factory was producing
36 no-dash in both round and square butt 2" barrel blued finish
36 no-dash in both round and square butt 2" barrel nickel finish
36 no-dash in both round and square butt 3" tapered barrel blued finish
36 no-dash in both round and square butt 3" tapered barrel nickel finish
36-1 in both round and square butt 3" Heavy Barrel blued finish
36-1 in both round and square butt 3" Heavy Barrel nickel finish
For a total of TWELVE different configurations.

Any less confused now? Or more confused?

 

[Steven Woods]

Oh Gee Thanks BC38, That clears it up a lot.