S&W 36-1 Target

[Tommy Gun 1256]

I recently acquired a 1976 S&W 36-1 with target sights. I was told by the seller that this was a special order gun that he ordered with the round butt and banana grips. I have the original box and the label is correct to the gun. Before I go through the expense of a S&W factory letter I'm hoping for some opinions regarding this gun. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

It appears to be a legitimate Chiefs Special Target Model 36-1,
except the top of the front sight is cut off, and the ampersand in
the text on the left side of the barrel seems wrong.

Serial number will tell all. S&W made 213 of those and shipped
202, and they all had a square butt.

The serial range is 2J3134-2J3347.

I sold one in the original box and stocks with all the goodies a
year and a half ago for $1,700, and that value seems to have
held recently. (photo)

If the owner said his was a special order a letter will be the only
way to know for sure.

Is the box annotated "banana"?

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[bobsguns]

Never knew there was a 36 Target Model. Wow. Learn stuff all the time in this forum!