Posted: 2/24/2007 5:31:09 PM EDT
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Tonight my father in law absolutely floored me by giving me his father's Smith and Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special. His dad had been on Omaha during WWII and I am truly honored by this gift. The model # is not hyphenated and the serial number is 499XXX. We are interested in finding out how old it is if anyone might know where to find this info. Thanks, CS |
Well, he may have been on Omaha in WWII, but the 36 wasn't. S&W started making the 36 in 1950. I am guessing by that SN it's alater production. Look at the cylinder latch, if it's flat it's early, if it's curved and has checkering it's later. That's nice of your father in law, it must be nice to get along with him. I've had three father in laws and none of them ever gave me a gun, just threatened me with them
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I knew the revolver was newer than WWII but his service just addded to the cool factor. Father in Law is a Nam vet and his son and I are Iraq vets so it has alot of sentimental value. It is later with the curved/checkered latch. The piece is low mileage but has some finish issues. CS |
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S&W began stamping the model number in 1957 at serial number #125,000. (Prior to that they were marketed as the Chief's Special.) They made internal changes to the hammer beginning in 1962 with serial number 295,000 and changed to the non-flat thumbpiece in 1966. Serial numbers were given the "J" prefix in 1969. It would appear your revolver was produced between 1962 and 1969. If it has a flat thumbpiece it was likely made before 1966. They changed from the "diamond" grips in 1968. If your revolver has finish issues I would suggest sending it back to the factory for a refinish...you might even want them to nickle it rather than reblue. I have a flat latch 36 that is a bit older than your gun...serial #323XXX...they are beautiful little handguns and their like will not be seen again. You can get info on refinish by calling the customer support number and asking... www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=13012§ionId=10504#14 |