No dash?

[rpg0123]

What is meant by "no dash?" I am familiar with the subsets of model numbers, like model 10-5, etc. I don't get what is meant by say model 36 no dash though? Is that pre-model 36-1 or what?

 

[OKFC05]

No mystery: the original issue of each model is a "no dash" until the first mod is made.

 

[bamabiker]

We use the term pre 36 if it is a gun that was eventually model marked 36, for example. In 1957 (I think) S&W started using the model numbers and that would have been the first marked model 36s with no dash number, or a 36 no dash. Most people use this term for a quick reference to the gun being one of the first model marked guns of that particular model. Does that make sense?

 

[rpg0123]

Thanks. So a no-dash model 36 is indeed old.

 

[fyimo]

The dash numbers on S&W revolvers represent engineering changes on the models. Some are significant and some aren't in terms of the type of change but that's how they track changes over the course of the model build. When they went to Model numbers in 1957 they started each model and no dash. Hence people call them no dash guns.

A model 36 no dash was made between 1957 and 1988 when the model 36 -2 came out. The model 36-1 came out in 1962 and represents a model 36 with heavy 3 inch barrel.

If you give us the serial number with XX's in the last two positions when can get closer on the year or if it's a general question then it's been answered.

 

[rpg0123]

Thanks. Yeah, I am curious where this falls into the large date range. J233xx?

 

[Alk8944]

Your gun was made in 1969 and is a 36, or if it is a heavy barrel a 36-1 even if not marked as a -1 which is common on J-frames. 1969 is the year the J prefix serial numbers began and is a relatively early one for being a J prefix.

Just for the record, a gun made in 1969 isn't old!

 

[rpg0123]

Thanks for looking that up for me. Well it may not be old, but it's definitely in the wrong forum.