This well-used early Chief's Special called to me

[Teddydog]

For some reason, this early Chief's Special called to me, even though it is well worn. Maybe BECAUSE it is well worn. Seems to have led an active live.

Mostly the finish is worn, but there is a little bit of pitting at the muzzle. Based on the recoil shield, it has been fired quite a bit too. Lockup isn't very tight and one cylinder just fails to carry to lockup when cocked slowly with a finger dragging on the cylinder lightly.

The SN is 33608 and is matching on the butt, cylinder, extractor, barrel and grips. It has some early features, including the short butt (same length as an I frame), flat cylinder latch and rounded trigger guard, but not the very early round front sight blade.

Here you can see the contrast with a standard mid-70s Model 36. Note the early short butt and much more "round" trigger guard profile.

And a group photo with the J-Frame Bunch (my much newer 638 is at "work"):

Any and all comments are welcome.

Rob

 

[Teddydog]

And here are a few comparisons between the early J-Frame Chief's Special and an Improved I-Frame Terrier (both from about the mid-1950s). Most notable difference is the shorter cylinder of the Terrier that only fits the .38 S&W and not the longer Special.

Rob

 

[WCCPHD]

I have two of the "baby chiefs" that are in the 367XX (56 numbers apart) with the highest being shipped in November and the lower number in December of 1953. Yours is probably older.

 

[merl67]

That gun has earned it's keep, and would have spoke to me too. I have been on the lookout for a Baby Chief I know sooner or later I will find one, but for now I can enjoy those that show up here....thanks for sharing!

 

[RKmesa]

I love that little well-used guy. It would have called to me as well.

Thanks for sharing your great photos of a wonderful Chiefs Special.

 

[Model46]

I love it. I have a circa 1952 baby chief supposedly carried by a detective in the Sterling, MA PD. It's quite nice and probably spent most of its life in a desk drawer. Your gun has a story to tell and in many ways I like it more than mine. Congratulations.

 

[JH1951]

I am a big fan of the early Chiefs Special, and I have an appreciation for the one you just picked up. I would have heard it calling to me too. Thanks for sharing with us. I have not seen many for sale lately......

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Rob, I believe the carryup problem can be fixed by peening the ratchet For the cylinder affected. If you don't know how to do that or don't want to do it, you might want to get a gunsmith to do it for you.

Guy

 

[JayCeeNC]

Rob, mine is 10 numbers away from yours--33618 (and in about the same condition.) It shipped June, 1953.
My dad carried it as a "pocket gun" for decades.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Cool gat. I am not a huge J-frame fan but I probably would have bit on that at a semi-reasonable price.