New kid

[wheelgun1958]

Just picked up this model 36 for $250 today.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

It looks like that piece was "well loved". Good save. What, if anything, do you plan to do with it? I'm currently working on a mistreated Colt Detective Special I spent too much dinero on, but I just couldn't walk away from.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Chris642]

Is that cylinder release original? It looks like it came from a Charter Arms.

 

[824tsv]

Is that cylinder release original? It looks like it came from a Charter Arms.

It's referred to as a "Flat Latch"

 

[Double-O-Dave]

It's referred to as a "Flat Latch"

Correct. Generally speaking, flat latch + pinned barrel = early production model (older gun)


Regards,

Dave

 

[Chris642]

Correct. Generally speaking, flat latch + pinned barrel = early production model (older gun)


Regards,

Dave

OK, learning something new everyday. I must say though that I much prefer the look of the later latches.

 

[4D5]

Even though it may have some cosmetic challenges, you have a very nice S&W ! From the pictures, I'd say you did good on the price.



.

 

[JP@AK]

Generally speaking, flat latch + pinned barrel = early production model (older gun)

Of course, that depends on what you mean by "older." The flat latch first appeared in the early 1950s and was gone by 1967, with 1966 being the transition year when they were phased out.
The very first Chiefs Special (collectors call them the Baby Chief) originally had a postwar variety of the contoured latch, very similar to the one that went back on the CS (by then called the Model 36) in 1966. During the flat latch period, there were three different styles. The one in the photo appears to be the third style, but I need to see it from the top to be sure. Hondo44 can probably tell for sure from the photo. He is the I/J frame Guru around here.

 

[bananaman]

If you are going to use it for carry, it does not need to be beautiful! You can dress it up some if you wish. I just paid $369 for a later 36 on G.B. Prices start out cheap and just keep going up. Hit buy it now to eliminate loosing another one. Now shoot the heck out of it! Bob

 

[wheelgun1958]

Of course, that depends on what you mean by "older." The flat latch first appeared in the early 1950s and was gone by 1967, with 1966 being the transition year when they were phased out.
The very first Chiefs Special (collectors call them the Baby Chief) originally had a postwar variety of the contoured latch, very similar to the one that went back on the CS (by then called the Model 36) in 1966. During the flat latch period, there were three different styles. The one in the photo appears to be the third style, but I need to see it from the top to be sure. Hondo44 can probably tell for sure from the photo. He is the I/J frame Guru around here.

It is the flared latch as pictured in "the book." I suspect it to be sometime in the early '60s as the sn is 383xxx. Other than the obvious cosmetic issues it appears to have been fired very little and not carried much, if at all. The grips do not match, therefore are not indicative of it's history. The guy I bought it from said it spent most of it's life in a gun rug. All in all a solid 36 for a fair price.

 

[pineappleshooter]

The guy I bought it from said it spent most of it's life in a gun rug....

What was the rug lined with - sandpaper?

 

[JP@AK]

It is the flared latch as pictured in "the book."

Well, the illustration in the SCSW does not tell the whole story. Both type 2 and type 3 were "flared." As stated earlier, I'm pretty sure yours is a type 3, and the serial number would tend to confirm that.

I suspect it to be sometime in the early '60s as the sn is 383xxx.

Almost certainly 1965, probably early in the year. Guns serialized in the 35xxxx range were shipping in the fall of 1964.