My first model 36

[Masterbuck54]

I picked up this clean 36-1 3" at the gun show this past Saturday.

Doesn't look like it's been shot much at all.

Shipped September 1969 according to Dr. Jinks.

Hard to believe in the short time I've been accumulating Smith & Wesson's this is my first model 36

Masterbuck54

 

[Inland7-45]

I have 3 Model 36s plus an early model 42. I am hoping to find a 3" SB like that some day. All of mine are 2"

Nice find.

 

[demkofour]

Nice start in you J Frame journey- they are addictive, just ask the two-bit cowboy.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy Pete,

Very nice.

I believe you need to go back to your "ship date request" and ask Dr. Jinks to clarify the serial number and date for you. With the J serial number yours is likely closer to 1980.

Enjoy that one. A Chiefs Special with a 3" barrel and square butt is #1 on my list.

 

[Masterbuck54]

Bob,
Will do on the ship date….maybe 1979 instead of 1969.

Masterbuck54

I believe you need to go back to your "ship date request" and ask Dr. Jinks to clarify the serial number and date for you. With the J serial number yours is likely closer to 1980.

 

[RM Vivas]

Ship date is about right I think. I just got the same gun today #J782805 and it appears as a 1975 sale in NYPD ledgers and is likely old stock from the Policewomen days.

Watch for a post on it in a couple hours.

I'm having trouble reading your serial number though; I --think-- I can read it but if you could just re-state it.....

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[Masterbuck54]

Serial#

See attached.

Masterbuck54

 

[colt_saa]

Sweet revolver

The only 3" Model 36 that I have is the full lug Chiefs Special Target from 1989

My other two 36s are a 2" square butt from 1971 that I have always loved for it's grips. This one started conversations when it was noticed on my belt

Then there is my 2" Texas Hold'Em from 2005 which I only bought because I thought it looked cool with the Dead Man's Hand in gold on the side plate, the gold wedding bands on the barrel and cylinder and the great display case that came with it. All for about 20% more than a standard 36 was selling for at the time

You can NEVER have too many J-Frames​

​

 

[colt_saa]

I believe you need to go back to your "ship date request" and ask Dr. Jinks to clarify the serial number and date for you. With the J serial number yours is likely closer to 1980.

Remember that sequential Serial number lists are just references to dates of Manufacture.

Shipping dates can be weeks or in some cases even years later.

I have a K-frame whose serial number (C883###) puts manufacture in 1966. However it did not ship from the Factory until 1996 . . . 30 years later. Obviously this is an extreme exception, not the rule.

After all we are talking about Smith & Wesson

 

[heeter3]

Masterbuck54 I have 2 like that and they are real nice guns to shoot.I carry both several times a year.Enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[Rubone]

Nice 36! I have one like it . It was a nice package and like yours used very little.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Remember that sequential Serial number lists are just references to dates of Manufacture.

Your note is spot on, and I live and breathe your sentiments.

My note about checking with Roy for the "correct" serial number was not related.

 

[BC38]

Well, my very FIRST S&W, and my first revolver for that matter, was a blued M36 2" RB. That gun lead to me joining the forum, and becoming a S&W addict.

Since then I have added a blued M36 3" SB, a nickel M36 2" RB, and a blued pre-model number M36 2" SB target (a.k.a. M50) to my little collection.

Hard to beat a M36 and they are definitely an addiction...

 

[Masterbuck54]

Thanks for the comments

Not sure if I'll be searching out anymore model 36's.

Wasn't really looking for one but couldn't pass it up for $360.00.

I'll keep it in the safe for now but who knows down the road what will happen to it

Masterbuck54

 

[BC38]

Wasn't really looking for one but couldn't pass it up for $360.00...

You just won the understatement of the month prize!
Around here that one would be $450-$500 any day.

 

[Matt_X]

The 36-1 looks great. I paid a lot more for one in similar shape. (in part location, in part because not much comes through the LGS and I don't invest in time at shows etc.)


Target stocks on a 36-1 ?


I've put Magna stocks on it and a grip filler. So far the best groups I've shot are with the target stocks, and the worst, with magna stocks alone. However the 'worst' are still all within a quarter of a B-8 target at 25 yards. If you choose to shoot it I think you will be pleased.

 

[Alice The Cat]

What a beauty! I have 3 inch square butt model 60 and I have been looking for something in blue just like yours to keep it company.

 

[jcelect]

Group photo

This group of 36s took me a few years to put together. The top two are 3" heavy barrels, the next two down are 3" pencil barrels, and the next two down are the 2" barrels. The bottom is a pre model 36 Chief's Special Target! A side note is the model 36 is the first time S&W made major changes to the model configuration, RB & SB, 2", 3" pencil barrel , 3" heavy barrel, without changing the model number! A model 36-1 is a 3" heavy barrel and on all the other J frames the -1 signifies made on the J frame not the I frame! Not all small frame revolvers, J frames, had their roots in the I frame! Many of the J frame models were introduced after the change to the J frame from the I frame.

jcelect