The Really Old Chief's Special Thread

[Bppiper]

Brand new member with a chief question

Negotiating now for a 6-shot early snubby. Stumping me a little bit as it has the early round site, small trigger guard but the latch looks like a later one maybe. Serial number seems to unlock all date questions in here. So in order to get a good idea of when this little guy was made or shipped I'll throw that out: C1241xx

Can anyone help me out real fast with a date? I'm due to meet and inspect the gun tomorrow. He's stating its 1948-50, but the latch looks later than that and the front site is spot on for that time. It's not a terrier for sure from what I see in these forums.

Thanks for any assistance here as I'm a long time carrier of Smiths but this is my first old timer gun. The ask is below $500 so I sure don't want to overpay

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

It's a K frame, M&P Model, to be the Model 10 in 1957, not a Chiefs Special which were only 5 shots and made on the smaller J frame. That's the correct latch, the K's didn't go thru all the iterations of the I and J frames. You'll notice it also has the 'High Speed Hammer', different from the Chiefs.

The K frames never changed the trigger guard size like the I and J frames in this thread.

The serial # dates it to ~ 1951.

 

[Bppiper]

Yeah I'm sitting here like fiend tearing through thousands of pages of the Internet and was just coming up with info on the early Ks.
Not sure how they factor sizewise to the Chiefs as I haven't seen the gun in person yet or whether it's a good gun to pick up.

What's a good market value for this C prefix in the general shape it's in? I want to make sure I'm not driving 2 hours to see it if it's not really a good gun or its way overpriced. Thanks for the quick reply hondo

 

[Hondo44]

These are very desirable. Larger than a J frame and heavier as a carry gun, but thousands have been carried and loved; one extra shot and less recoil.

The condition of the blue, the sanded off checkering and emblems in the stocks, however have depreciated the value somewhat.

Opinions will differ as well as value depending on location, but I wouldn't want that one unless under $450-$500. What's the seller asking for it?

 

[Bppiper]

$400
I'd like a nice small carry gun like a J frame so I'm not sure if this one is aprecisely bigger than would be comfortable.

 

[Malysh]

The K frame has always had the cylinder latch as shown in your picture. The smaller 5 shot improved I frame and it's sucessor the J frame went through a number of different flat cylinder latches (3). The earliest Chiefs Specials had the round half moon front sight and the K frame latch. Eventually, S&W dropped the flat latches for the 5 shot 38 Specials. The dished and checkered thumb latches preceeded the use of flat latches and have been a standard feature of S&W solid frame swing out cylinder revolvers since the designs early days, from the humble .32 S&W shorts to the K frame 38 Specials all the way up to the big N frame .357s and 44s.

As far as value for this 2" M&P, I would want to see a lot more.pictures before I drove 2 hrs. to examine it. It has incorrect stocks and a lot of blueing wear on the left side of the frame. If you just want one of these for a neat shooter or carry gun, and if this one has no mechanical issues and the other side of the gun is not atrocious, it's a $400 gun tops

 

[Bppiper]

I'll try to load some additional pictures

 

[bettis1]

It's certainly not a collector piece but there is no reason that it wouldn't continue to be a fine carry gun. They almost disappear in a small belt holster. Thousands of detectives have carried them for years. The price isn't bad and I would be tempted to make a day trip out of it to check other shops in the area and try to convince him of the damage to the finish, grips, etc. You never know what you might come away with.

Bob

 

[Hondo44]

$400
I'd like a nice small carry gun like a J frame so I'm not sure if this one is aprecisely bigger than would be comfortable.

IMHO, if you want a J frame, you'll be disappointed with size and weight of the K frame. You'd like the reduced recoil of the K frame with standard and hot 38 Specials, but you can always shoot the more comfortable target loads in the J frame for practice, and carry it with full power loads for serious social work.

 

[Bppiper]

Yeah this is all good info. If I can talk him down to $300 it would fall into a good deal category. My great-grandfather was killed in the line of duty. He was a detective in Indiana and he carried a chief or baby chief then. So I may just hold out for one. I'd dearly love to have it next to his old pocket watch, police billy club, snitch book and detective calling card that I have.

Anyone have a line on an early round sight baby chief?

 

[Malysh]

I can see why you would like to have a nice Chiefs Special in honor of your grand dad. I am sure he would have been proud of you.

 

[Jimmyjones]

As to whether a J or K frame is the right size, is a question only you can answer. I have both J & K frame snubs, I carry the J's IWB or in a pocket, the K's OWB, I'm not a big guy, so the J's fit me better for all day carry. Although one of my J's is steel w/ 2" barrel and combat stocks, it's approaching K frame size & weight -1 round. If your considering pocket carry, J Frames are the way to go.


I like the early M&P snubbies and have a couple. Yours looks to be carried a lot shot little, I'd be happy to carry it. I think $400 is a good starting point, I'd try for less, but I'd pay what he asked.

my $0.02

 

[Bppiper]

I'm the only one in the family that followed his profession. 27 years now. In 2001 I went to DC. I was the first person in the family to have seen his name on the Law Enforcement memorial wall. Very emotional for me. I made a rubbing of his name so I could frame it.

They never caught his killer and his murder was never solved. One of the big reason I went into cop work. But this is all to sad a tale for this forum. Just let me know if anyone spots one of these or someone is looking to sell one. Doesn't have to be pristine just one of the very early j frame Chief versions will do.

 

[Hondo44]

As you might expect, the round sight versions are the scarcest and priciest. Everybody and their brothers are looking for them.

Does anyone in your family know whatever happened to your granddad's Chiefs Special?

 

[Bppiper]

Well when it comes to something like a collection in memorial I'm not too faint when it comes to price really.

I imagine either his partner or the department took the gun. (He was shot in the back) so he never got a shot off.

 

[Zeman]

I posted a separate thread on this gun, but I thought it might fit in here.
Serial number 148XXX
Manufacture-1959-ish
3 inch Square Butt
Looks to have been shot very little

 

[Ag76]

I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson revolver, 38 Special. It looks like to me it's a Chief's Special Model 36, but I could be wrong. I took it apart last night and cleaned all the parts and reassembled. It has no model number but has a number on the bottom of the grip, 94XX. I'd like to make sure I've got the model right, and maybe when it was manufactured and any relevant information on the gun if that's possible. Thanks for the help.

I ordered a spring kit for a Smith & Wesson J frame including a Model 36. This revolver is a J frame, correct?

 

[CZU]

I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson revolver, 38 Special. It looks like to me it's a Chief's Special Model 36, but I could be wrong. I took it apart last night and cleaned all the parts and reassembled. It has no model number but has a number on the bottom of the grip, 94XX. I'd like to make sure I've got the model right, and maybe when it was manufactured and any relevant information on the gun if that's possible. Thanks for the help.

I ordered a spring kit for a Smith & Wesson J frame including a Model 36. This revolver is a J frame, correct?

You might take a look at this thread...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...s-special-baby-chief-scarcity-variations.html

 

[peepaw]

Somewhere around 1954.



And a three inch.

 

[Hondo44]

I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson revolver, 38 Special. It looks like to me it's a Chief's Special Model 36, but I could be wrong. I took it apart last night and cleaned all the parts and reassembled. It has no model number but has a number on the bottom of the grip, 94XX. I'd like to make sure I've got the model right, and maybe when it was manufactured and any relevant information on the gun if that's possible. Thanks for the help.

I ordered a spring kit for a Smith & Wesson J frame including a Model 36. This revolver is a J frame, correct?

Welcome to the forum.

that's a beauty and a great family heirloom to hand down to future generations!

It's a 5 shot, that makes it a Model .38 Chiefs Special. And it's an early one with small trigger guard which makes it a "Baby" Chiefs Special, in collector speak, a 2nd version w/ramp front sight. Made ~ March, 1953. Way too early for a model #, they weren't assigned until mid-1957.

All the details about Chiefs if you're interested:

Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" - Smith & Wesson Forum

Enjoy,

 

[Ag76]

Jim, thanks for the information and the welcome. Is this a pistol that I should keep in the safe instead of firing a lot of rounds through it? I've not fired it since I just got it, but am wondering if I should shoot it or keep it as a collectible?

Welcome to the forum.

that's a beauty and a great family heirloom to hand down to future generations!

It's a 5 shot, that makes it a Model .38 Chiefs Special. And it's an early one with small trigger guard which makes it a "Baby" Chiefs Special, in collector speak, a 2nd version w/ramp front sight. Made ~ March, 1953. Way too early for a model #, they weren't assigned until mid-1957.

All the details about Chiefs if you're interested:

Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" Simplified Chronology - "Model .38 Chiefs Special" - Smith & Wesson Forum

Enjoy,

 

[jackvs1]

I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson revolver, 38 Special. It looks like to me it's a Chief's Special Model 36, but I could be wrong. I took it apart last night and cleaned all the parts and reassembled. It has no model number but has a number on the bottom of the grip, 94XX. I'd like to make sure I've got the model right, and maybe when it was manufactured and any relevant information on the gun if that's possible. Thanks for the help.

I ordered a spring kit for a Smith & Wesson J frame including a Model 36. This revolver is a J frame, correct?

I would not shoot this; is the serial number 94xx on the face of the cylinder and the underside of barrel where ejector rod lays? Also is the number 94XX on the inside of your right grip? I could not tell if the front sight had a smooth or serrated ramp. Collectors call this a Baby Chief, note the smaller round trigger guard compared to a pre 36 or 36 which is more egg shaped. You also have the flat latch cylinder release. You have a beauty.

 

[Ag76]

Jack, the four digit number is stamped on the bottom of the grip frame between the grip panels. The four digits of the serial number are stamped inside the right grip panel. The digit 9 is stamped above the other three digits. The front sight is smooth.

I would not shoot this; is the serial number 94xx on the face of the cylinder and the underside of barrel where ejector rod lays? Also is the number 94XX on the inside of your right grip? I could not tell if the front sight had a smooth or serrated ramp. Collectors call this a Baby Chief, note the smaller round trigger guard compared to a pre 36 or 36 which is more egg shaped. You also have the flat latch cylinder release. You have a beauty.

 

[Rick_A]

Matching numbers with crappy grips...

20150322_005022(1) by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20150322_004932 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20150322_005405(0) by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20150322_005254 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

It's quite cute.

 

[Malysh]

Baby Chief I aquired.....

#13501. 1952?

Serrated ramp front sight.

That's a beauty.

 

[jackvs1]

Really nice Baby Chief, congrats.

 

[Leatherhead23]

That's a beauty.

Really nice Baby Chief, congrats.

Thanks guys. I'm excited to have her.

 

[OldDominion]

Baby Chief I aquired.....

#13501. 1952?

Serrated ramp front sight.



That's a beautiful Chief. According to my logs, most likely shipped September '52.

 

[Leatherhead23]

Baby Chief I aquired.....

#13501. 1952?

Serrated ramp front sight.



That's a beautiful Chief. According to my logs, most likely shipped September '52.

Great! Thanks for that info!

 

[Absalom]

I just found this old thread while browsing with the search function after acquiring an oldish Model 36.

Way too many cool pictures to let this linger in obscurity! So to revive the zombie once again, here are a couple of photos of my new addition:

A Model 36 with serial # 1489XX, which should place it approximately in 1959. A retired detective's service gun from New York, it is the first revolver in my collection with the asymmetric wooden stock wear on the left panel, indicating a left-handed officer. Stocks number to the gun. The dealer I acquired it from, a retired NY cop himself who joined up in 1965, expressed his surprise that the condition of the inner grip frame indicates the owner never had a Tyler or other adapter installed at any time, which apparently was almost universal practice in that era. Given the length of service indicated by the stock wear, the gun is in very good shape otherwise and has obviously been well taken care of; action is tight and crisp.