Strange Serial # on M-37

[deputydon]

I recently picked up a 37 nd w/3" bbl that has serial number ##J###.
Number is on gun butt, box & right stock. I don't recall seeing a serial number with a letter in it.

I was trying to get a date range shipped, but there seems to be no serial numbers listed in the STD Catalog of that nature for a J-frame.

Any thoughts from the gurus ?

-don

 

[Jimmyjones]

Floating "J" 71-72

Standard Cat #4 pg. 489

 

[deputydon]

Many thanks JJ,

Had catalog open to that page. Old eyes missed the difference from
other years.

-don

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Howdy Don,

S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks calls that serial number series the
"roving J series," and he tells us the series began in 1970 at serial
number 1J1 and ended in 1973 at serial number 999J99.

To date the first known serial number is 1J123, which shipped on
April 16, 1970, and the last known serial number is 999J68, which
shipped on April 11, 1973.

With two digits before the J it's likely your Chiefs Special shipped
in 1971.