Scored 36 no dash 3" today
- Thread starter snuf
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One of the World's Great Guns.
Congrats on grabbing an outstanding example of my favorite Chiefs Special--a 3" square butt.
Thank you for sharing the serial number. I've added yours to the database, and the one nearest yours 435187 shipped in March 1966.
Smith & Wesson issued the engineering change to convert from the flat thumbpiece to your contoured thumbpiece on February 11, 1966, and from studying Chiefs and their ship dates it seems the change took place almost overnight.
Thank you for sharing the serial number. I've added yours to the database, and the one nearest yours 435187 shipped in March 1966.
Smith & Wesson issued the engineering change to convert from the flat thumbpiece to your contoured thumbpiece on February 11, 1966, and from studying Chiefs and their ship dates it seems the change took place almost overnight.
1Celticfozzie
Member
I just picked up flat latch 3" 36. So the 2/11/66 date is very helpful.
Thanks two-bit cowboy. That info was very helpful.
Dump1567, I didn't even know they made a 3" stainless 36. Only M60 in stainless
[h4][/h4]
It's a model 60 Jovino.
DennisT
Member
I appreciate this thread and some reminders it offers. Sorry for the following repeat, (I suspect), question: What exactly is the value/desirability difference between the older, straight, "36," model and, say, a "36-1??" Any quality differences? I'm guessing the former were during the 1970's and dash-1's more into the 1970's. (VERY roughly)
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Are you running a database of Model 36's? If so I have a 3 inch round butt - number 607637. FYI
Seven High
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I purchased a nickel plated square butt model 36 while I was in the USAF in 1965. Serial # 392437. I traded it off when my fellow police officers made fun of it for being a "pimp gun" I should have kept it.
I have a 36-1 sq butt that is one of my favorite revolver's .It carries well is accurate and has great trigger.I should probably letter it.It's serial # I think puts it near the nypd guns. But it is not marked.I have couple of ny1 revolver's so I know where to look.
I started a post a few minutes ago about a model 36 3" I got today, would appreciate any input
The "-1" is only the designation for a heavy barrel 3". Unlike the rest of the S&W family, the J-frame dash numbers don't correspond to revisions. As for quality, they're all excellent firearms. Difference in value seems to be nil. Other than the usual quacks on Gunbroker trying to sell a "rare" (rare in their mind, at least) gun for twice its real value, I've not seen any appreciable difference between standard and heavy barrels.
Hey Bob, I don't think I gave you the serial # on my newly-acquired 940-1: BST5961. Two points of interest are the serial appears both in the yoke cut and the butt, and it has a heavy-barrel profile instead of the usual 2" taper. I don't yet have a photo, but if this is of interest, I can grab one later. It's the first short-barrel I've ever seen like this (but since this is the first 940 I've ever seen, let alone handled, they may all be like this....)
Sorry for the side-trip, but thanks!
Be careful. If she she says, "Oh, That's cute. Can I hold it?" leave the country!
I found a three inch, heavy barrel, square butt Model 36-1 a few years back, but the girlfriend immediately took a shine to it. While the J-frame is ostensibly TDY at her house, I suspect that I may never get it back. Fortunately, I still have a 3 inch Police Positive Special made in 1915. As she is not a fan of Colt's cylinder release it is unlikely to commandeer.
In general, I very much like the way three inch revolvers feel and shoot.
I found a three inch, heavy barrel, square butt Model 36-1 a few years back, but the girlfriend immediately took a shine to it. While the J-frame is ostensibly TDY at her house, I suspect that I may never get it back. Fortunately, I still have a 3 inch Police Positive Special made in 1915. As she is not a fan of Colt's cylinder release it is unlikely to commandeer.
In general, I very much like the way three inch revolvers feel and shoot.
The Model 36 began shipping in September 1958 and lasted through at least 1988. It had either a 2" or 3" lightweight barrel. One exception to this occurred in 1976, when Smith & Wesson deleted the 3" lightweight barrel on the Model 36.
The Model 36-1 began in 1966 and also lasted through at least 1988. Its distinction is a 3" Heavy Barrel.
Quality differences? Probably not. Value/desirability differences? It's simply a matter of personal preference.
Nframe_is_no1
Member
Nice catch! I picked up a 3" 36 no dash not long ago too. Mine is slightly newer. It's a roving J series from 1972.
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