FifthWheel
US Veteran
SN 72330, just the year will do. Looks to be in
very good condition. Thank you.
very good condition. Thank you.
Need DOB for flat latch model 36
- Thread starter FifthWheel
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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?
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?
OP
FifthWheel
US Veteran
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
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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.
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.
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You just can’t make a post like this without pics!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OP
FifthWheel
US Veteran
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.
Attachments
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.
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.
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.
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OP
FifthWheel
US Veteran
Thanks for all the information. The knowledge on this forum is second to none.
