Model 36 question.

[jeffrefrig]

Yesterday I took a ride North of Pittsburgh & hit a Gun Shop. One case has the older revolvers which is where I bee-line to. Two guns priced at $600; one a Colt Police in pretty darn good shape, I believe 4", in .38 Spl. The other a S&W Model 36, no dash. The snub was in very good shape and included the box, nothing else. The Serial #J205129. The stocks' numbers don't match the gun but the number is in the same batch of guns' numbers. The gun is in good shape, nice blue, stocks unbutchered.
Now the Ser. gun in question questions: The big Book says J100,000 to J250,000 (page 489.) made in 1973-'74. Now, the Mod #on the crane says Mod. 36, no dash. At the beginning of the M36 on Page 244, "Starting with M36 @125,000 in 1957. Then, in 1962 were a couple changes at Serial 295,000. 36-1 started in 1967.
Okay, so in '57 they switched to Model numbers. Book says before that they were called "Chief's Special." Question is mainly a Serial number thing. Did they leave out the J prefix before they 1st changed to model numbers? There's an overlap here I'm trying to understand. (I'd call S&W but they're off till next week."
I appreciate any help. Also, like I said, they have a pretty nice Colt .38 Special Police revolver for $600 in case any locals here are interested. It was almost mine, too!
Thanks in advance and please have a safe Holiday weekend. Don't drink & drive.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Hi Jeff,

The Chiefs Special name began in 1950.

The first added Model 36 identifier appeared in September 1958.

The Model 36-1 (designation for the 3" Heavy Barrel) began in 1966.

The J-+six serial number series began in 1973. The one you're looking at likely shipped in May '74.

The Model 36, 2" and 3" lightweight barrel, ran till 1976, concurrently with the Model 36-1 3" Heavy Barrel. S&W dropped the 3" lightweight barrel in 1976, and the Model 36 2" barrel and Model 36-1 3" Heavy Barrel went till 1988.

Hope this helps!

 

[JP@AK]

Bob's reply is, as always, dead on. I'd just add a comment to this:

Did they leave out the J prefix before they 1st changed to model numbers?

Serial numbers on the J frame did not have a prefix until 1969. The J numbers started then, long after model numbering started.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Thanks guys. The ser. no. was kinda throwing me off (not that it takes much) with the lack of the J prefix. I wish I could post pics from this computer...stupid Apple!!! I have a nice ca. 1948-51 .38 special I'd like to show off too that I recently acquired. Not safe queens but I think they will clean up nice. The blueing seemed to hold up better with certain years.
Have a safe New Year, and thanks again.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Here's Jeff's Model 36.

Nice!

 

[jeffrefrig]

Thanks so much! Poor presentation on my part! It's a lot nicer-looking than what shows, but my excuse is I just got it today and it needs a bath!
two-bit cowboy, Bob, thanks for posting that for me. That's twice people have helped in that manner out of the goodness of their hearts!
Is that the correct box for that period/gun? Meant to ask that earlier.

 

[BC38]

Thanks so much! Poor presentation on my part! It's a lot nicer-looking than what shows, but my excuse is I just got it today and it needs a bath!
two-bit cowboy, Bob, thanks for posting that for me. That's twice people have helped in that manner out of the goodness of their hearts!
Is that the correct box for that period/gun? Meant to ask that earlier.

Well, that is a Bangor Punta era box - and they owned S&W from 1965-1987. So it should be the period-correct box, even if it isn't THE original box for your gun.
What serial number is written on the label on the end of the box?

 

[jeffrefrig]

Same number as on the gun: J205129. It does say Bangor Punta on the box, and there's an April 15, 1955 on the insides also. Probly a copywrite date. Where the 36 for model number on the end tag of box doesn't have a dash #. What two-bit cowboy said pretty much is right on from what I see. The originality of the box to the gun seems okay according to the label, but it's just an old label. Even though the stocks are very nice, they aren't numbered to the gun but are close. And nice for their age.
These S&W serial numbers are worth at least 2 credits at the local community college!
Please have a safe New Years' Eve celebration everybody and thanks again & again for the info.
And for the locals, I won't mention the nice 19-3 I saw in the case for decent $$$$$!!!!!

 

[BC38]

Same number as on the gun: J205129. It does say Bangor Punta on the box, and there's an April 15, 1955 on the insides also. Probly a copywrite date. Where the 36 for model number on the end tag of box doesn't have a dash #. What two-bit cowboy said pretty much is right on from what I see. The originality of the box to the gun seems okay according to the label, but it's just an old label. Even though the stocks are very nice, they aren't numbered to the gun but are close. And nice for their age.
These S&W serial numbers are worth at least 2 credits at the local community college!
Please have a safe New Years' Eve celebration everybody and thanks again & again for the info.
And for the locals, I won't mention the nice 19-3 I saw in the case for decent $$$$$!!!!!

Correct vintage box, with an old label, with the gun's serial number hand-written on it.
Sounds like the original box to me.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

It sure sounds as though you have the original box.

One thing I look for on the handwritten label are the ink colors in the INS and PKR blocks. If the "inspector" number is handwritten the ink is usually the same color as the ink in the top row of entries and the serial number, and the ink in the "packer" block is usually a different color.

Sometimes the INS block has the inspector's stamp, but the PKR ink color is still different than the other entries.

On "fake" or replacement labels where you can clearly see the handwritten info has all been done with the same pen and the same handwriting the ink colors are usually the same in every block.

Please take this with a huge grain of salt because it's one guy's opinion based on personal observations.

 

[JP@AK]

Way to go, Bob. Now you are going to make me look at every BP box in my safe . . .

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Oh, don't just look at the BP boxes, Jack. My "observation" goes back to the early '60s when S&W first started using those labels.

 

[jem102]

Great information gents and much appreciated! Helps me with a 36 I purchased recently.