Old Smith&Wesson help

[firemanjoe]

[norcal77]

Looks like a chiefs special (model 36) from the 50’s & early 60’s...worth $6-700

[SkyHawk]

It is an old flat latch, likely a pre-model 36, probably pre-1957. Is it square or round butt? You clipped off that part in the pic....

[firemanjoe]

It is an old flat latch, likely a model 36 and 1955 vintage. Is it square or round butt? You clipped off that part in the pic....

Looks square to me.

[dfletcher]

If I'm reading the serial number correctly 56313 would put it at an early 1955 manufacture. According to the S&W catalog serial number range for 1955 J frame is 55055 to 75000. Keep in mind that's all J frames, not just the Chiefs Special. That there's no numerical model number on the inner yoke also says pre-1957 manufacture - S&W didn't assign/stamp model numbers until then.

Kind of a "good news, bad news" re price. Since it's a C&R eligible gun there ought not be a "CA premium" on price. Emphasis on "ought not" but I guess in state we're used to paying more for any gun.

I don't know if the square butt adds or detracts from value, probably doesn't by much.

I see a few of these on GB with "asking prices" going from about $500.00 to $1,300.00 depending on condition and maybe how many shots of Old Grandad the seller downed before posting the sale. My 5 year old Blue Book and the Smith catalog say about $700.00 in excellent condition. Seems about right.

[stevie]

Flat latch Mod 36 or chiefs special.

[JTROKS]

Yup! Nice!

[Mr. Blue]

Does your wife care to hang onto it, to keep it in the family? I hope so, that thing has a lot of character.

[firemanjoe]

Does your wife care to hang onto it, to keep it in the family? I hope so, that thing has a lot of character.

Yes, we have no intention of getting rid of it. It was mostly curiosity on my part to find out more.

[JTROKS]

Yes keep it in the family. I hope my kids see my guns as a memory of me to pass down to my grandchildren, instead of seeing it as a down payment for a car.

[2761377]

just to be clear- that number on the frame under the yoke is probably not the serial number.

on that era S&W you need to look at the bottom of the grip, or butt.

[slamfire1]

I recently acquired an early 60's Model 36



shoots well enough



If you ever plan to shoot it, only use standard velocity loads, no +P ammunition in these pistols.

[Bastard]

looks like a pre-model 36 and as such possibly a 4 screw, square butt, pinned barrel and all the goodies that people like except of course for that flat latch... pick up a Tyler T grip for it and feed if some 38 target loads, these things are a blast to shoot!

[beerman]

Nice one Slamfire1..Yours is 69K units newer than my 400,00x. I believe mine dates to '64. Op you have a real treasure there.



DSC03184.jpg

[firemanjoe]

just to be clear- that number on the frame under the yoke is probably not the serial number.

on that era S&W you need to look at the bottom of the grip, or butt.

Correct, there is a serial number in the bottom of the butt