Year of MFG S&W .38 Chief Special Mod 36

[Sommersby]

I received a S&W .38 Chiefs Special Model 36 from my parents' estate. It is blued with 2" barrel, original wooden checkered grips, serial number 4861XX. It is in the original box with some S&W branded corrosion inhibitor paper and the cleaning rod. It does not appear to have been fired, but I may be wrong. My sister thought it belonged to my father who passed away last year, but I found some info in the box that connects the gun to my mother's side of the family and I now believe the gun belonged to my grandfather. I would like to give the gun to one of my sons who is a law enforcement officer and I am trying to gather information to give him. I believe the serial number corresponds to 1953 or 1954, but I do not have the S&W Catalog to check. Any info or comments about this handgun will be very appreciated. Thanks

 

[robertrwalsh]

Assuming you wrote it down right and I am reading the catalog right it is probably right around 1964-65. It shows 1962 at 295000 and 1969 at 786544.

 

[murphydog]

I would guess a 1966 production date. And stating your grandfather owned it makes me feel really old right about now.

 

[smithra_66]

I received a S&W .38 Chiefs Special Model 36 from my parents' estate. It is blued with 2" barrel, original wooden checkered grips, serial number 4861XX. It is in the original box with some S&W branded corrosion inhibitor paper and the cleaning rod. It does not appear to have been fired, but I may be wrong. My sister thought it belonged to my father who passed away last year, but I found some info in the box that connects the gun to my mother's side of the family and I now believe the gun belonged to my grandfather. I would like to give the gun to one of my sons who is a law enforcement officer and I am trying to gather information to give him. I believe the serial number corresponds to 1953 or 1954, but I do not have the S&W Catalog to check. Any info or comments about this handgun will be very appreciated. Thanks

Mid-60s. In '53 and '54 the "model 36" didn't exist. It was just called the Chief's Special. The model numbers didn't arrive until 57. It's hard to give you an exact date as 36 serial numbers are not really broken down by year in this era. A letter from the S&W archives would be the only way to know for sure.

 

[Sommersby]

Thanks robertrwalsh! I'm not sure yet how to post pictures, but while taking photos I noticed that the box has the original price sticker on it -- $71.50.

 

[Sommersby]

Thanks
Thanks murphydog! I'm not sure yet how to post pictures, but while taking photos I noticed that the box has the original price sticker on it -- $71.50. That sure does make me feel old!

 

[Sommersby]

Thank you, smithra_66!