Questions about a Mod 36

[Mr Pokeyman]

Went to a gun show last weekend in Harrisburg just to see if the craziness was still going on. I was surprised that it wasn't all that bad. It was crowded but no more than normal. The prices for AR type rifles were somewhat high but not as bad as I have been reading about. Actually, most of the revolvers were way over priced in my opinion. I spotted a Model 36 for sale for $550. It had rubber grips on it which rode up too high on the frame, the seller didn't know what happened to the real ones. The bluing was pretty decent and the cylinder was tight as a drum. It had the standard thumb latch-bummer, and a bobbed hammer. This is the first that I have seen that kind of hammer on a chief's special and I mentioned it to the seller who stated that it was like that from the factory? Was he correct? It was rounded, not chopped off, so it didn't look too bad. If that sucker would have had a flat latch and original grips I would have bought it. I think it was way over priced but that's just the way things are right now. Will someone who really knows, tell me that hammer was not factory installed? If it was factory, I think I should have got it. I would sure like to get over it. Dam guns. Its a sickness.

 

[P&R Fan]

I think I commented on a thread about a bobbed M36 recently. The Catalog says there were 4,000 2" ones and 2,000 3" ones in 1989. They were a special addition. Doesn't say if they had rubber grips, but I doubt the ones you describe are correct.
What was the serial number? And was it pinned? In '89 it wouldn't be.

That sounds like way too much money for me.
Jim

 

[hotrod150]

Apparently there were some 2 & 3 inch bobbed hammer DAO 36's (not sure what dash number)made in 1989. I think there was also some matte finish bobbed hammer DAO 36-2's made, similar to the DAO matte 37-2's. Any of these would be worth a premium for scarcity. Bu there's plenty of owner-bobbed 36's (I have one, along with 2 bobbed 60's).

 

[Mr Pokeyman]

The one that I saw was a 36 no dash which I thought would be from the 60's. It was a snub nose, I didn't measure it. I didn't look for a pinned barrel. I know it was priced too high but it looked like it had never been in a holster and fired very little. If it had the flat latch would it be stamped with the 36 or not. Also, would that make it a baby chief?

 

[P&R Fan]

The one that I saw was a 36 no dash which I thought would be from the 60's. It was a snub nose, I didn't measure it. I didn't look for a pinned barrel. I know it was priced too high but it looked like it had never been in a holster and fired very little. If it had the flat latch would it be stamped with the 36 or not. Also, would that make it a baby chief?

If it is from the '60s it will be pinned. It will be stamped M36 if it was made after 1957. The first J-Frame serial number in 1957 was 117770, so it would be around there that they started model numbers. The flat latch was changed to the standard thumbpiece in 1966.
Jim

 

[hotrod150]

First rule of S&W: never say never. That said, model 36 Chief Special rules of thumb: baby Chief 1950-52, pre-36 1thru 1956, flat latch thru 1966, diamond magnas thru 1968, pinned-barrel thru 1982, no-dash & 36-1 (3" heavy barrel) thru 1988. All numbers s/n thru 1968, J and floating J s/n 1969-83, three-letter s/n starting 1984.

 

[kennyb]

to me...that was overpriced,four months ago i purchased a standard M36 with original grips,97% no box from my lgs for $375...i realize thats a bit low but $550 for one with goodyears...nah