Need DOB for flat latch model 36

[FifthWheel]

SN 72330, just the year will do. Looks to be in
very good condition. Thank you.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy Mike,

Based on the few I have on either side of that sn I'd guess it to be in the 1955/'56 range.

Four-screw, right?

 

[FifthWheel]

Howdy Mike,

Based on the few I have on either side of that sn I'd guess it to be in the 1955/'56 range.

Four-screw, right?

I think it's 4 screw, grips look correct and the ejector rod looks like it was hardly used on the pics. '56 would make it a nice birth year gun to add to my accumulation. Thank you Bob

 

[Hondo44]

Not yet a Model 36, but a pre 36. "38 Chiefs Special Model of 1953 NEW J frame.

Use these known dates and S/Ns to guesstimate shipping date:

71249 4 screw, old hammer style, shipped 1/27/56
72195 highest # known with old hammer style, 4 screw 2/56

DOB would be ~ a month or less earlier.

 

[KalamazooKid]

You just can’t make a post like this without pics!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Okay, "'Kid."

Here's a 4-screw: nickel '54 Chiefs, and

a 3-screw: blue '57 Chiefs Airweight

Cheers,

 

[FifthWheel]

Okay, "'Kid," and it's not often one of Hondo44's posts needs an editor: J frame.

Here's a 4-screw: nickel '54 Chiefs, and

a 3-screw: blue '57 Chiefs Airweight

Cheers,

The sellers pics are not too good. I blew up the right side pic and still cannot tell if it has a screw by the hammer but I think it does. Anyway it seems to be a '56 and I'll probably see it this week. When did these change to 3 screw? Here's a pic if the left side, If I buy I'll post better ones.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

When did these change to 3 screw?

Right around when the factory shipped that one. Looks like Hondo44's data base will get an update if it's got the old style hammer and a 4th screw.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a "38 Chiefs Special Model of 1953 NEW J frame, therefore does not have a trigger guard screw. It's #72330 is the highest known with the old style hammer.

Engineering change order:
• Eliminate upper side plate screw change order on 12/13/55, the 4th screw on New I (earliest ~ #640980 on .32s) & New J (earliest ~ #73933) frames.

Yours is probably a 4 screw side plate because it was shipped right on the cusp of the change and even produced slightly earlier. If it has the top side plate screw, it's a 4 screw (one screw hidden under the right stock.)


Much more detail here:

FULL SIZE “New J frame” Chiefs Spl including the Airweight:

1953 - Introduced the Model of 1953 Chiefs Special (pre model 36) “New J frame” #47475 is earliest known; larger grip size and larger, egg shaped trigger guard, eliminated trigger guard screw, the 5th screw, (transition period for dropping upper sideplate screw, the 4th screw, started by at least #73933), as well as bright blue finishes. Lowest known # 462XX (with old hammer). The 1st issue of 100 pre Mod 36/50 target chiefs in 1955 serial range 55050-57919 are in this group and have been observed as still having pre war style hammers. Highest known fixed sight #65986 Oct 1955, with early hammer. Highest #72330 with old hammer.

Airweight Model (pre model 37), It’s reported that the 1st Mod of 1953 Airweight was introduced 9-12-1952. Reports indicate that airweights are between 240XX shipped April 7, 1953 (w/alloy cyl), up to at least #131612 (w/steel cyl).

Earliest Airweights in the #24-27,000 range with aluminum cylinders, about 3777 made (lowest known 240XX shipped April 7, 1953 ) (alloy cyl # 43926, shipped in January, 1954, highest known, # 82317, 3 screw). US Air Force batch #AF1795- AF2399. C.1954 changed to steel cylinders due to weakness; a steel cyl reported as low as #43750 & #438XX with old hammer, shipped 1956!

Models of 1953 #573XX & 616XX highest known with an old hammer/fine checkered.

 

[FifthWheel]

Thanks for all the information. The knowledge on this forum is second to none.