Possible fishy situation with a 36?

[Cirrus]

Can you guys help me? I'm really struggling. I posted about this gun in the wrong subsection first off. But here's the situation, got a line on a S&W 36 but it's about 2 hours away and I'm communicating with the guy through email. It doesnt' sound like he knows much about guns.

He says inside of the frame the gun says "36" and the serial number is 20XXX. Looking at information on the net, the SN dates the gun to 1952. Also looking at the net, it says the gun didn't officially become the 36 until 1957. How can the SN date the gun to 1952 and it still say "36" inside the frame?

Also, the photo of the gun has a square butt. Looking at information on the net, it says the square butt didn't begin until serial number 21342. How can this gun have a square butt and have a SN before 21342?

Am I right to be a little concerned about this gun?

 

[Cirrus]

And now the guy says there are only two screws visible on the side of gun. That doesn't make sense either? WTH?

 

[1blindref]

Pictures would be very helpful.

 

[Cirrus]

This is all I've got to work with...

I know the diamond grips date before 1968, but I have no way of knowing if they're original to the gun or bought afterwards and put on.

 

[linde]

I have a model 36 with 3-screw sideplate (2 visible without removing the stocks), the same flat latch and diamond stocks (only round butt). It has "Mod 36" stamped in the crane and an assembly number of 21710 on the yoke (the part that swings out with the cylinder). The serial number on the butt, however, is 397408 and dates to sometime in 1965.

That could explain what you're looking at and I'd go back and make sure the 21342 number is, in fact, the serial number from the butt . . . the only real serial number.

Good luck!

Russ

 

[Cirrus]

Here's what I found online:

1952 - Introduction of square butt at serial 21,342
1953 - Elimination of screw in triggerguard, larger grips (four-screw)
1955 - Removed upper sideplate screw at serial 75,000 (three-screw0
1957 - Chief's Special continued as the Model 36

So if this is true, the 20XXX on the yoke must be a production number. So that puts the gun between 1957 (for the "36") and before 1968 (for the diamond grips). Should the yoke or inside the frame say "Mod 36"? Because the guy said it just says "36".

 

[linde]

I have four model-marked J frames (after 1957)with diamond magna stocks (before 1968). Two are model marked "Mod 36", one is "Mod 37" and the other "Mod 38".

It's possible the "36" is a fitter's number and this J-frame was made somewhere between 1953 and 1957. Again, find out what number is on the butt and that will end our speculation.

Russ

 

[Texas Star]

And beware buying guns that you haven't personally inspected!

T-Star

 

[murphydog]

If the gun has all its original parts and is stamped MOD 36, you can narrow it down to after 1957 (model stamped) and 1966 (the last, latest version of the flat cylinder latch). It appears well-preserved. However, I agree that until you know the SN everything is speculation.

 

[pwhphd]

Also, beware of buying from a single photograph. The other side may be in terrible condition and the poor quality of a single photo can mask a host of problems.

 

[gunnut44]

In my opinion, which is not much, I wouldn't drive 2 hours to buy that gun. That is 4 hours out of my day to buy a really common gun that can be found anywhere anytime.

 

[Cirrus]

Thanks for help. Guy still hasnt' emailed back with the SN. I think I'm gonna walk away from this one.

 

[Göring's S&W]

I would look into it more because if it does not say "MOD 36" in the yoke then its a chief's special aka pre model 36. It might have a flat latch and the diamond grips are probably original. It all depends on the asking price and condition of gun.