Stumbled on and bought a Pre 36 today - Added CTC grips

[fyimo]

This is my first post in this category. I took my Model 64 no dash snubbie to my gunsmith today to have him check something on it. While I was there I noticed a small J frame in his sale counter. I asked him about it and He said that's a solid old fellow like us that has some blue wear but is still tight and an excellent shooter. He said it was a 5 screw pre model 36. He got if out of the case and it has a couple of large wear spots in the bluing from being holstered and he wanted $475 but I bought it.

It's a pre 36 serial number 16426 and has what looks like the stock grips that are in decent shape. Has the flat cylinder latch on the side. If any one can tell be the DOB I'd appreciate it.


Pre 36 5 screw

 

[fyimo]

This is my first post in this category. I took my Model 64 no dash snubbie to my gunsmith today to have him check something on it. While I was there I noticed a small J frame in his sale counter. I asked him about it and He said that's a solid old fellow like us that has some blue wear but is still tight and an excellent shooter. He said it was a 5 screw pre model 36. He got if out of the case and it has a couple of large wear spots in the bluing from being holstered and he wanted $475 but I bought it.

It's a pre 36 serial number 16426 and has what looks like the stock grips that are in decent shape. Has the flat cylinder latch on the side. If any one can tell be the DOB I'd appreciate it.


Pre 36 5 screw

 

[snw19_357]

Nice find! It has the later ramp sight but it looks like the early round triggerguard. They went to a four screw in 1953 so that should be 1952 but a call to S&W probably give you a better idea, maybe even a month.
Those grips should have a serial number inside the right panel.

 

[kennethg]

Very nice find.

Is the front sight blade serrated or smooth??

 

[pred]

Should the front sight be 1/2 round in the 5 screw version?
Appears to be a 2nd year.
Peter.

 

[fyimo]

Originally posted by kennethg:
Very nice find.

Is the front sight blade serrated or smooth??

The front sight is serrated

 

[handejector]

Art,
Nice gun.
We call that a "Baby Chief" because the grips are shorter than later guns and the trigger guard is smaller.

Should the front sight be 1/2 round in the 5 screw version?

Baby Chief's have three varieties of front sight- Half-moon, smooth ramp, and serrated ramp.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Art;

Congratulations! You now own one of the pentultimate pocket revolvers ever made!

 

[ALJ-28]

Is this also called I FRAME SIZE ?

 

[handejector]

Is this also called I FRAME SIZE ?

NO!
All Chief's Specials are J frames.

 

[briand1030]

Just rescued from a Halifax N.S. pawn shop, a pre 36 , s/n 52350, 4 screw with serrated ramp frt. sight. It has the flat latch and grips # to the gun.Lots of colour on the hammer and trigger and bluing is 90/95% ,with a faint cyl. drag line. It has a square butt.

 

[Maverick1950]

I have a similar gun with a serial number 161XX. According to my factory letter, it was shipped on September 25, 1952.

 

[fyimo]

Looks like mine was made about 300 guns later in the cycle.

 

[Malysh]

Congratulations on an excellent find and having the knowledge to recognize it.
I'd be very happy to have one of these earliest pre Mod 36s myself!

 

[seejay]

I have this exact same .38, numbers 5253#. I only discovered this morning that the stock does not have the number inside, at least not where I can find it. Why is that significant?

It has a grip extension, so I'm assuming at some point maybe the stock was changed out, but it looks identical to the one in the photo.

How do I determine the age, and if I can use +P ammo in this gun?

 

[fyimo]

Seejay
On the right grip on my grips are the last three numbers from the serial number on my gun. They are faint but they are there so these are the original grips for the gun.


I was at the range yesterday shooting some of my newly aquired S&W's and I ran 4 cylinders worth of 158 grain SWC through it. The recoil was sharp as expected but at 7 yards I put all 20 rounds in the 6 inch black circle on the target. Not great but for an up close and personal defense weapon it will work for me. I actually need to pop off a couple of 125 +p hollow points to check the point of impact. That's what I carry in it for protection but my gunsmith said not to shoot a lot of them in the gun.

 

[H P Bushrod]

Nice find! Never seen one of those early examples.

 

[Hondo44]

Originally posted by seejay:
I have this exact same .38, numbers 5253#. I only discovered this morning that the stock does not have the number inside, at least not where I can find it. Why is that significant? It has a grip extension, so I'm assuming at some point maybe the stock was changed out, but it looks identical to the one in the photo.

That tells you those are the original stocks fitted to the gun and that it left the factory with.

How do I determine the age, and if I can use +P ammo in this gun?

According to your number, your gun was made in late 1954. S&W heat teated the cylinders on all their guns by the early 20's. I would not worry about shooting +P in any of Smith's all steel guns. But like the man said above, don't give it a steady diet!

Jim

 

[Hondo44]

Originally posted by briand1030:
Just rescued from a Halifax N.S. pawn shop, a pre 36 , s/n 52350, 4 screw with serrated ramp frt. sight. It has the flat latch and grips # to the gun.Lots of colour on the hammer and trigger and bluing is 90/95% ,with a faint cyl. drag line. It has a square butt.

Yours must have the larger trigger guard; more egg shaped. Square butts are harder to find. If yours had a round butt, it would be a 1/4" longer than the "Baby J" pictured above.

Jim

 

[fyimo]

I was in my local gun dealers place of business today and he told me he is closing his doors in 4 weeks. I saw a set of Crimson Trace grips for the 36 and he gave me a sweetheart deal on them.

Pre 36 with Crimson Trace Grips