My new to me MOD 36

[engnman]

I traded some work for this gun and I have some questions about some of the markings on it.

 

[L-2]

Post 1's Mod36 is from 1982 per my book; year s/n range:

1982 J915401-1J18600

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 489). (Function). Kindle Edition.

 

[robertrwalsh]

You have a very nice little classic Chiefs Special .38 snubbie. Hammer has been bobbed along the way. That MIGHT give some ignition problems. Factory refinish nickel maybe? I see the N stamps but the Model 36 was blue. Grips do not number to the gun either apparently. Perfectly nice shooter assuming it hasn't been abused along the way.

 

[engnman]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering what the triangle F, circle H, B11 and small 5 represent. Thought it might be factory work. It has a very nice double action feel.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

The Chiefs Special came with a blue or nickel finish from the first year of manufacture, and yours left the factory with a nickel finish. The N stamps on the back of the cylinder and the lower side of the grip frame confirm that!

The other stamps you asked about are assembler's, fitter's, or inspector's marks. The matching five digit numbers on the yoke and lower side of the grip frame are assembly numbers and serve now to confirm those are the gun's original parts.

 

[engnman]

Thank you for the information!