Need help with a 1953 Chief Special (Baby Chief?)

[Block Head]

I was wondering if I might be able to tap into the collective wisdom of the site. I've owned a number of S&W revolvers, but never anything historically significant until I picked up what I believe is a 1953 5-screw Baby Chief from a family acquaintance. He's not a gun guy and was about to sell it at a chain sporting goods store until they told him that old revolvers like that weren't worth much and they could only offer him about $100. Luckily, he was smart enough to realize that they were full of **** and he asked if I was interested. I gave him significantly more than what they offered and it came home with me (like many other guns! ). I'm hoping that I didn't pay too much because I'm now thinking of letting it go and using the funds towards my quest of buying every remaining M1 Garand in existence.

As mentioned previously, I think that this is Baby Chief based on the trigger guard and length of the grip. Am I correct? I've attached photos that I believe show the overall condition of the revolver. It was originally owned by a Chicago police officer and appears to only been carried frequently and shot little. Mechanically, it seems to be in great shape and is still nice and tight. The bore is perfect. There is holster bluing wear on the muzzle and cylinder. The exposed edge of the grip frame is plum with some blue remaining. The grips are original and numbered to the gun with one panel having a small chip. There is a small amount of pitting under the top of the left grip as show in the photos.

I've been searching on the site for recent Baby Chief values, but the only hits that I saw were pretty old. I'd appreciate any help that the experts here can provide.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It is a later Baby variant with the serrated ramp front sight. Others here keep SN records and can let you know how old it is but 1953 is a good guess.

With what appears to be carry wear (and unfortunately a little pitting on the left frame) I would guess it to be worth about $550.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm now thinking of letting it go and using the funds towards my quest of buying every remaining M1 Garand in existence.

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Nice little Baby Chiefs. Happy to hear you saved it.

Yes, based on several +/- your Chiefs serial number I'd guess the factory shipped yours in June or July '53.

I prefer the ones with honest wear. Shows they were used for their intended purpose.

murphydog gave you a good ballpark figure. In today's crazy market don't take less.

Best of luck in your quest. It's similar to mine: owning every remaining Baby Chiefs in existence!

 

[BC38]

Welcome! It is a later Baby variant with the serrated ramp front sight. Others here keep SN records and can let you know how old it is but 1953 is a good guess.

With what appears to be carry wear (and unfortunately a little pitting on the left frame) I would guess it to be worth about $550.

I'll second that. If I saw it in a shop around here I'd be after it. I'd try to negotiate a lower price, but in the current climate I doubt I'd be successful and would likely buy it at $550. A Baby is on my wish list, and that one is in just the right kind of condition to fit in with the rest of mine. I like shooters that aren't too pretty to use, and that one suits my tastes to a T.

 

[Block Head]

Hey guys, thanks for the information and welcoming the newbie! I've lurked for a bit on here and learned quite a bit just from reading past postings. I'm mainly a collector of C&R rifles but, as I mentioned previously, I've also got few Smiths too.

The $550 is about what I was thinking that it was worth. After reading the responses, I'm kind of falling in love with again and wondering if I really should sell it! Actually, I think that I'm going to post it over in the classifieds and see if I can maybe trade it towards something a bit different.

Thanks again, Denny

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the Forum from Pennsylvania!
All good advice given above on dates and dollars.
I have been collecting and watching these for several years. A year ago, pre-covid, the prices were substantially lower, but the climate today suggests take no less than what was suggested. That is a desirable early Chiefs Special.
Best of luck!

 

[GaryHK]

Nice shooter! I say definitely one you want to keep as a family heirloom.