My 'New' Model 36

[Zeman]

I think I made a good purchase on this gun, but you guys tell me. It came with the box, cleaning kit still sealed, some S&W pamphlets, warranty card, and paperwork from when the owner registered the gun in Washington DC. Of course, it's a model 36 with 3" barrel. I have not checked the grips for a number yet, but the gun's serial number is 1484XX. I'm hoping it is a birth year gun for me (1958). If not, I'll still like it a lot. Please excuse the lousy pictures. I'm trying to figure out digital cameras with little success. Oh, I paid between $400 and $475.

 

[DWalt]

SNs don't track real well, but yours would have shipped in 1959-60. For a 3" square butt, you did OK. It could be a birthday gun for manufacture.

 

[loknload]

You got a good deal, I would grabbed that in the blink of an eye!
Looks real good,,,,,Enjoy!

 

[Watchdog]

I think I made a good purchase on this gun, but you guys tell me.

Aw-w-w-w, you don't really need us to tell you made a good purchase, now do you? But yeah, for whatever it's worth, I think you did just fine. And a flat latch to boot.

My personal opinion is that those old 36s are one of the best all around concealed carry revolvers ever made, even with the 3-inch barrel. They just feel right to me.

 

[Zeman]

Thanks guys. I guess I would need to get a letter to find the manufacture date?

 

[DWalt]

Thanks guys. I guess I would need to get a letter to find the manufacture date?

Yes, if you need a precise shipping date (S&W will not provide a manufacturing date). But it will cost you $50.

 

[jackvs1]

Hi& congratulations, you have yourself a real nice Chiefs Special.

 

[Zeman]

Oh, so if I have any hope of this gun being a 1958, I would have to get a letter to show it was 'shipped' in 58?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, but your birth date is not the date they shipped you home, it was the date you appeared.

The end of production for 1957 was ~ # 125XXX. #1463xx was shipped December 1958.

 

[Watchdog]

Oh, so if I have any hope of this gun being a 1958, I would have to get a letter to show it was 'shipped' in 58?

Nah. Looks as if your question's been answered.

 

[moralem]

Yes, if you need a precise shipping date (S&W will not provide a manufacturing date). But it will cost you $50.

I sent an email to them the other day with a serial number and model and they emailed me back with a specific date of manufacture on the gun I was looking at acquiring. So if you can live with that date instead of a shipped date drop them an email through their contact link on their webpage.

Here is a screen shot of the email of them providing a manufacture date. Give it a try and save 50 bucks.

 

[Engine49guy]

Love the 3" SB S&W J's especially flat latchs !

Im guestimating yours is bordering 1958/59 but could also be as late as 1960 (ish).

S&W also made an 3" "Airweight" version in the SB Model 37 pictured below

 

[Hondo44]

I vastly prefer the manufacturing date. The shipping dates can be weeks, months and in extreme examples 10 years after date of manufacture.

However, currently produced firearms data is computerized. I don't know how far back S&W can go to retrieve this data. But it's worth a try. Maybe they'll tell you the date limiting this data availability.

 

[Zeman]

Yes, but your birth date is not the date they shipped you home, it was the date you appeared.

The end of production for 1957 was ~ # 125XXX. #1463xx was shipped December 1958.

Thanks Jim. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify.

 

[JSW]

That's a very clean little M36 ~ Congrats!

 

[Zeman]

I sent an email to them the other day with a serial number and model and they emailed me back with a specific date of manufacture on the gun I was looking at acquiring. So if you can live with that date instead of a shipped date drop them an email through their contact link on their webpage.

Here is a screen shot of the email of them providing a manufacture date. Give it a try and save 50 bucks.

That's good to know. Thanks for posting the information. It is worth a try for my oldie.

 

[Zeman]

Engine49Guy, I like your 37. The paperwork that came with my gun had a model 37 brochure instead of the 36. I guess I have to be on the look out for a model 37 now, and a model 36 brochure. Thanks for posting that beauty.

 

[Zeman]

If you like pictures as much as I do, here you go...

 

[jsfricks]

Where in Bartow Co did you find it? I'm in Kennesaw. You got a really nice one there. I would love one like that to carry.

 

[Zeman]

I live in Cartersville. The gun came from an individual. Thanks. I probably won't carry it much, but it does balance very well.

 

[jsfricks]

I live in Cartersville. The gun came from an individual. Thanks. I probably won't carry it much, but it does balance very well.

Oh ok, I thought you might have got it at a gun store. Ya did good!

 

[bananaman]

I bought mine at local gun show in Sept. of last year. Paid $425 for it.(trade) Box was there. Papers there, no tools. Somebody paid $699 for it at a local shop a couple of years ago according to the receipt in the box. All numbers match including grips. It is a fun gun to shoot! It now wears S&W Target grips. It is a 1957 shipped gun. Yours is cool! Had it to the range yet? Bob

 

[Trinidad Bill]

You guys are making me drool!

 

[Zeman]

Hey Bob,
No, I have not shot it yet. It has been many years since I owned a revolver, and I don't even have any .38 Special ammo. It's hard to find for a price I'm willing to pay. I'll probably break down and buy some when the weather gets warmer. I think it's going to be 10 degrees here tonight. I don't like indoor ranges much. You have a nice model 36 there.