S&W model 36 3 inch

[VASCAR2]

I found a S&W model 36 with 3” barrel which used to belong to a Friend who was a Deputy Sheriff back in the mid 70’s. I couldn’t pass it up as it was in really good condition and belonged to a Friend.




[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kA8QPg]


[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kA8bgi]

I’m not sure when this S&W was manufactured but the serial number is 82J7**.


[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kA8QGs]

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. Likely made in 1972 and perhaps shipped that year too. Enjoy!

 

[VASCAR2]

Thank you, it is rare to find such a nice revolver for sale in my area. With this one belonging to a Friend I couldn’t resist. I had a S&W model 60 round butt in the late 70’s and foolishly sold it.

I got an old Bianchi shoulder holster with this Chief which were common in that area (ala Barney Miller sitcom).

 

[swagmeister]

I like it. Good choice.

 

[redlevel]

Three inch j-frames are some of my favorites. Much easier to shoot well than the two inch guns. I carried one much like yours on the farm as sort of a “kit gun” for several years. Loaded with wadcutters with I believe 2.8 grains of Bullseye. I foolishly traded it away. One of my carry guns is a three inch Model 37. It is old and beat up, but reliable. I just last fall bought a beautiful nickel plated 36-1. I am hesitant to shoot it because it is so pretty.

Anyhow, congratulations on acquiring a nice revolver that belonged to your friend.

 

[GerSan69]

Very nice find of an excellent revolver. Congratulations!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats on acquiring my favorite Chiefs Special: lightweight 3" barrel and square butt.

redlevel mentioned his Model 36-1, which was a 3" Heavy Barrel that S&W launched in 1966. The company made the Model 36 3" with a lightweight barrel, like yours, concurrently with the Model 36-1 till 1975, when it dropped the lightweight barrel in the 3" model.

Your serial number comes from what S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks calls the "roving J" series. It started in mid-'70 and ran through '73, starting at 1J1 and running to 999J99, with up to three numbers before the J and up to four after it, but never more than five numbers total. 1J9999 was followed by 2J1. According to others near your serial number on my list, your Chiefs Special likely shipped in March '72.

 

[haywood]

Mine is from the same year. Great shooter.

 

[H Richard]

I like them even more when they are Target models.

 

[saemetric]

Mine’s a heavy bbl

 

[ccf9881]

Model 36 3"

Perhaps Bob aka two bit can explain to me my serial number on a Model 36 s/n 49J174 because I am thoroughly confused.

 

[haywood]

1971-1972 were the “floating J” years. The J move around in the serial number.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Perhaps Bob aka two bit can explain to me my serial number on a Model 36 s/n 49J174 because I am thoroughly confused.

I'll try to help. Is yours a 2" or 3", blue or nickel?

My database reflects the roving J serial numbers beginning in the summer of 1970 (not 1971, as the "authorities" suggest), and I show a few examples that shipped as late as 1976 (eg., my 7J4619 didn't ship till April 16, 1976), but late in 1973 (not 1972) is a good point to say most of the roving J serials had shipped.

As a general rule the 1Jx - 7Jxxxx range had shipped by late 1970. The ones with a single digit before the J numbered 9,999 Chiefs for each single digit prefix. Since there were only five digits total in the roving J series, as the numbers before the J increased, there were fewer production numbers for each two and three-digit prefix (either 999 or only 99). As prefix digits increased it took more prefix numbers to equate to equivalent production numbers of the two, and especially single digit prefixes.

Your 49J174 likely shipped in the late summer to early fall of '71.

This can seem extremely complicated, but it's not at all. It's simple math.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Thanks, Two-bit Cowboy, that helps me place mine, 1J3193.

I agree that the 3 inch J frames are great shooting guns.

 

[ccf9881]

Thanks so much for your help.