Unusual Chiefs Specials Gallery

[Stranglehold]

Not as special as some of those early examples, but here's another Target model, which can't be considered common. This one dates to 1966...

Roe

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Not as special as some of those early examples, but here's another Target model, which can't be considered common. This one dates to 1966...

Roe

Really nice, nice example! Are the smooth rosewood grips original and numbered to the revolver? I've got a pair of factory smooth rosewood, round butt, on a Bodyguard (model 38) but their not numbered to the gun.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[Stranglehold]

They are not numbered Lefty, but due to the fit and "completeness" of the package, I have no reason to believe they are not original...but who knows?

Roe

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Roe;

Nonetheless...they look great.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[Hondo44]

Roe;

Nonetheless...they look great.

Cheers;
Lefty

Both of your guns could be after the era of grip numbering.

S&W stock numbering per SCSW:

Pre war stocks were serial numbered since 1857 by stamping until about 1900; penciled (or scratched on hard rubber) until 1929, then stamped again.

Starting in the mid 60s the individual stamped numbers were changed to being stamped in a line at the bottom.

In the mid to late '70s, stock dimension tolerances were good enough to eliminate individual fitting and therefore serial numbering them was eliminated.

However, please note: optional stocks like Targets were most often not numbered from way back in the '50s; it is theorized that they were special handled.

 

[IceCreamMan]

Goony, thanks for pointing me to this thread. My recently acquired "baby".

 

[bmg60]

Hi Gooney
Nice collection of early 36,s. here are 4 that I can add to the thread.
1. Nickel baby chief s/n 1406
2. Blue Baby chief s/n 3729
3. Blue Baby chief smooth Ramp s/n 6362
4. Blue Baby chief 3 inch barrel s/n 45962.
enjoy the pictures. I have the original red boxes for these 4.
jim

 

[mooshoo]

just love those j frames very cool!!!

 

[Doug M.]

Lee's ugly baby post no longer has a picture, so I missed out on that fun.

FWIW, Spokane PD has a historian who might be able to fill in some info on that issued revolver. I am drawing a blank on her name right now, but I think it is a task she does more or less on her own in addition to whatever her official role with the department is.

 

[oldwoodsloafer]

Back in 1986 I bought a Model 60, with adjustable sights and 2" barrel. It was one of a lot of 660 units S&W made for Ashland Arms in Ohio.

Very niece piece, shoots better than I can.

Later, I found a like-new 3" heavy barrel 60, but the 2" is still my favorite.

 

[phubai8]

This is a great thread. ICM thanks for reviving it. I have a new love for these J frames since I picked up a pre model 38 some months ago. Thanks all for the pics. I've learned a lot.