The Really Old Chief's Special Thread

[Hondo44]

Hi Elroy,

NO, left hand thread. That it is an easy one to answer but I'm including I frames in my answer as well, lest someone makes an erroneous assumption.

The post war I frames were changed to left hand threads on straight ejector rods soon after the commencement of production following WW II, and their spawn, the 1950 introduced J frame Chiefs Special, therefore began life with left hand threads on straight ejector rods.

Just for the record however, and not affecting J frames; I must acknowledge that early post war I frames were produced with right hand threads and these are identifiable by the pre war 'barrel' style ejector rod knob, BUT:

Second just for the record; a very scarce few 'late', early post war I frames with the "barrel" knob have been observed with left hand threads! Again this is irrelevant to J frames.

To summarize: on the post war I and J frames; all straight ejector rods are left hand thread, but on the I frames not every "barrel" type ejector rod is right hand thread!

As usual with Smiths, the I frame ejector rod changes were subject to a transition period of several years.

These are only my observations and I would be appreciative of anyone else's observations to add to the data base.

 

[Elroy]

NO, left hand thread........ the 1950 introduced J frame Chiefs Special, therefore began life with left hand threads on straight ejector rods. .

Well I'm glad I asked. Thank you kindly

These are only my observations and I would be appreciative of anyone else's observations to add to the data base.

As I understand it; information is KING.

 

[Elroy]

Just a heads up on an early Baby Chief on GB

Not associated with this auction but with the low serial number, small guard and the smooth ramp this "baby" has all the right stuff.

Auction # 276023450

 

[ar33]

I think mine falls in line. Serial # 1646XX

 

[Green Frog]

I think mine falls in line. Serial # 1646XX

Actually, while it shows signs of long honorable service, yours is not a Baby Chief since it has a long trigger guard and a three screw side plate. So if that is what you re saying, I would disagree.

With that serial number, it is a neat early pre-36 J-frame, though. BTW, do you get a better grip on it with that T-grip style adaptor? The jury is still out for me whether they help or hurt my control.

Froggie

 

[ar33]

Actually, while it shows signs of long honorable service, yours is not a Baby Chief since it has a long trigger guard and a three screw side plate. So if that is what you re saying, I would disagree.

With that serial number, it is a neat early pre-36 J-frame, though. BTW, do you get a better grip on it with that T-grip style adaptor? The jury is still out for me whether they help or hurt my control.

Froggie

I meant it falls under the title of the thread "The Really Old Chief's Special Thread". I like the t-grip very much, have them on most of my revolvers.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for the quick response, ar33c9. That old Chief has obviously been around a while and certainly qualifies as one of the "good ole guys!"

The reason for the question about the T-grips was that we were discussing (on another thread) what could be done to make the little grips on the I- and J-frames more manageable while staying concealable. While I have experience with them on K- and especially N-frames, I'm woefully ignorant on how they would perform with the little guys. Your input is most appreciated.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Does Serial Number 99J9XX
.38 Chief's Special
Nickel Model 36
3" Round Butt qualify? If so I can post photos of it; I just bought it today in its silver box with cleaning rod and brush, instruction sheet, and S&W Ammo flyer...

 

[Engine49guy]

serial 7913

 

[Engine49guy]

Finally found a half penny front site Baby Chief

Serial 1025 (center) shipped December 1951,
Terrier 58087 (left) shipped December 1950,

 

[Green Frog]

I guess you know I'm now officially green with envy!

Nice family shot there!

Froggie

 

[Engine49guy]

Froggie , somehow I knew you would be.....He he.
Here is one to make it just a bit greener...CHEERS!

 

[dacoontz]

Now you just need one of these (see below). Although, I imagine your probably
fairly satisfied with that collection. I too am envious. I wish I could find a half
moon front sight baby chief. I did see one LNIB at the January Vegas Antique
arms show but the guy was asking $2200 for it, yikes. I picked up this guy for
less than 1/4 of that price.

Pre-36 Squre Butt, Sn#56766, Shipped October 1955.

 

[Green Frog]

ARRRGGHHH!!

Is one of those a 32 HE snub? Can I hold on to one shred of my dignity? That's a pretty family portrait, even the two handicapped ones in the middle of the right stack. It's not easy being deformed like they are, especially among all that beauty!

Froggie

 

[chief38]

Engine49Guy,

That's some family photo- BEAUTIFUL collection!

Chief38

 

[murphydog]

Does Serial Number 99J9XX
.38 Chief's Special
Nickel Model 36
3" Round Butt qualify? If so I can post photos of it; I just bought it today in its silver box with cleaning rod and brush, instruction sheet, and S&W Ammo flyer...

Hi, this one sounds nice and was probably shipped in 1971. It sounds like a nice gun but if it counts as really old that makes me feel very sad, as I am older than your gun . Please feel free to post photos anyhow.

 

[C&R Bill]

Very Nice geezer snubbies!!!!!

 

[Engine49guy]

ARRRGGHHH!!

Is one of those a 32 HE snub? Can I hold on to one shred of my dignity? That's a pretty family portrait, even the two handicapped ones in the middle of the right stack. It's not easy being deformed like they are, especially among all that beauty!

Froggie

Froggie, I hate to admit it but I saw an early Chief about a year ago but passed on it because it was .32...
wished I had bought it now to complete the set.

.38 Chief , thanks for the Kudos,

DA Koontz VERY Nice 5 screw square butt ! Thats another one I need to BOLO (been on the lookout) for.

I had B.O.L.O for an early half moon Baby Chief for over a year when I
stumbled on this one in a local pawn shop for $275.00,
It looked a bit worse as it had some very rough grips and wrong hammer and was apparently pawned for $50.

I ended up "borrowing" a hammer and grips off another Baby Chief to spruce it up a bit,
eventually I will have to replace those on the other gun or it will haunt me.

 

[dacoontz]

Froggie, I hate to admit it but I saw an early Chief about a year ago but passed on it because it was .32...
wished I had bought it now to complete the set.

.38 Chief , thanks for the Kudos,

DA Koontz VERY Nice 5 screw square butt ! Thats another one I need to BOLO (been on the lookout) for.

I had B.O.L.O for an early half moon Baby Chief for over a year when I
stumbled on this one in a local pawn shop for $275.00,
It looked a bit worse as it had some very rough grips and wrong hammer and was apparently pawned for $50.

I ended up "borrowing" a hammer and grips off another Baby Chief to spruce it up a bit,
eventually I will have to replace those on the other gun or it will haunt me.

That's a great price for half moon chief. I'd probably mess myself if I saw one for sale that cheap. There is a gun show here in Salt Lake this weekend. Maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[bwade]

Nickel Baby

Just found this one, it is probably a refinish, but it looks nice. Grips, barrel, cylinder, crane, extractor serial number matches to frame. Looks very good except for a slight blurring at the logo words on the frame. But, hey its a baby with serial number 128X. Inside of the gun has the matching assembly number to the frame, crane and side plate.

The nickel looks very good in person, but no "N" "B" or "S" anywhere. There is a "W" on it in two different places. Finding the half moon sight babies are tough, had to take a chance on this pretty nickel gun since I had an empty red box for a nickel chief.