Question about Chiefs Spec Airweight

[Malysh]

I've been thinking about buying a Chiefs Spec Airweight or Mod 37 that has me confused. The pics show a 5 screw sideplate but the serial number on the butt is 45806. I emailed the seller twice and asked them to check to see if the gun is stamped Mod 37 in the frame, but I got no replies. I also emailed Mr. Supica about this but he's either too busy to reply or doesn't care to help.
I am guessing this was a very early frame(about 1951 according to SCSW), that wasn't used until after 1957, therefore showing a higher serial number than I would expect, but I can't be sure. The gun has replacement checkered stocks w/no diamonds and the first pattern hammer.

If the seller doesn't reply to me I probably won't buy it, but any thoughts on this are appreciated.

 

[Malysh]

I've been thinking about buying a Chiefs Spec Airweight or Mod 37 that has me confused. The pics show a 5 screw sideplate but the serial number on the butt is 45806. I emailed the seller twice and asked them to check to see if the gun is stamped Mod 37 in the frame, but I got no replies. I also emailed Mr. Supica about this but he's either too busy to reply or doesn't care to help.
I am guessing this was a very early frame(about 1951 according to SCSW), that wasn't used until after 1957, therefore showing a higher serial number than I would expect, but I can't be sure. The gun has replacement checkered stocks w/no diamonds and the first pattern hammer.

If the seller doesn't reply to me I probably won't buy it, but any thoughts on this are appreciated.

 

[rburg]

Ummm. Sideplates usually aren't 5 screw (some of the early airweights had a 5th bug screw). If you've found one of those for sale, just buy it. Trust me.

As for S&W doing everything in order, making changes across the board, throwing out non-conforming parts and half finished guns, it just didn't happen. There are guns that pretty much conformed to the accepted norm. They started production, were finished, then shipped in numeric order. All in a short period of time and didn't get waylaid someplace for some obscure reason. We love the guns that did. They're collectors dreams.

Don't read much into a gun with a serial number earlier or later than you would expect to see a feature. If the gun seems to be in good condition and it will do your intended purpose, just buy it. Getting all hung up over a feature probably isn't in your best interest.

 

[Malysh]

Dick,
I appreciate your reply.
I'd like to say that I have studied Walther pistols, Soviet produced Kalashnikovs, and original AR-10 rifles for almost two decades and I arrived at the conclusion that arms manufacturers do NOT through away parts that have been superceded by newer designs unless they are going to result in a catastrophic failure or the company is sure the parts will generate a lot of replacement requests. Because of this we find anomalies like the one I posted here.
I am aware that there is a 5th screw, sometimed called a strain or bug screw on early M&P and j frame airweights, but the serial number on this particular gun was comparatively high to have such an early frame(approx. 1951 per SCSW) so I decided to ask if some other members have reached the same conclusions I did.
For example, I have 4 screw sideplate Centennial, whose frame must have been made by 1957 when S&W ditched the 4th screw and started stamping the Mod #s in the frame. It lettered to 1962, but obviously that frame was made at least 4 years earlier. It's ser. # 17699, and stamped Mod 40.

"Getting all hung up over a feature probably isn't in your best interest."
In general, I agree with your advice, but in this particular instance, this Chief's Spec. Airweight, having the 5th strain screw is precisely why I might buy the gun - it would verify this to be a very early airweight frame even if the gun wasn't sold until, maybe, the late 50s. The price is right, too. I can only add the original diamond magnas are missing and replaced with the next iteration of checkered grips, not a big deal since it's not mint to begin with(I have several extra sets of these anyway). It looks to be a 90% example w/no box, instructions or cleaning tools.

Again, thanks for extending your info! My interest in this gun was generated by the very early frame, and I will probably buy it because of that feature, even if the seller is too lazy to respond to a simple, polite request. He does extend a 3 day non shooting inspection period so I should have no problem if there is something radically wrong with the gun.

 

[Win712]

Malysh, Dick is correct about the 5th Screw or "bug screw" the revolver your are referring to is in the serial range where the bug screw is encountered circa 1954 as is in the photo below serial #438xx, these guns also feature a smaller hammer spur and the second style of cylinder latch, unique to this time frame. This old Airweight saw many years of service by a local detective. Greg

 

[Malysh]

Greg,
Thanks for your reply, too. The gun in your pic is consistant with the one I am thinking of buying. I thought the serial number a bit too high to have a strain screw, but apparently not. And that was after taking into consideration that S&W ran the Chief Spec. and the Chief Spec Airweight in the same serial number groups, LOL!

I HOPE I showed Dick the proper respect in my reply. Re-reading it I see some re-phrasing would have been better.
Dick - I hope you know I appreciate and value your opinion!!!
I am not a novice but I certainly don't have the expertise that he has.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I have a pre-Model 37 Chief's Airweight, serial# 43926. It is a 4-screw and does not have the screw in front of the trigger guard. It has the "bug screw" and was shipped in January, 1954.

 

[11bravo]

Very informative. This forum is definitely the go to place for Smith and Wesson info. Regards to the experts.

 

[Malysh]

Very nice example, John.
Aside from the gun I mentioned I have a line on another one in the 27,000 serial number range, 4 screw, but with the aluminum cylinder. Very minute finish loss. It's in even better condition than the first, still has ser. #'d grips but it's twice the price.
Ideally I'd like to get them both but I've been on a buying spree lately and I'd have to choose between the two, I can't get both.
I guess it's a good dilemma.

 

[JimSupica]

Malysh, just a note to apologize for not responding to your email. As you guessed, I've been swamped w/ the transition to my new job & just have not had time to respond to inquiries lately. If I know an answer off the top of my head, I'll try to click a quick response.

However, as is the case the vast majority of the time, if the info is not in SCSW, I don't have any special additional insight on most S&W guns. This is especially true of anything more modern than top-breaks.

Best of luck -- Jim

 

[Malysh]

I'm delighted you took a few moments to respond during this busy period whether you had anything to add or not.
I wish you good luck in your new position.

Mike