S&W .38 Special?

11pt · 02-02-2006, 07:55 PM

Hi guys-
I have a Smith & Wesson revolver that I inherited from my dad. It's a 5-shot .38 Special with a 1 7/8" barrel. It has checkered walnut grips with an inlaid S&W logo and a diamond shape in the checkering (original grips I believe). "Smith & Wesson" is stamped on the left side of the barrel and ".38 S&W SPL" is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the right side of the frame is "Made in USA, Marcas Registradas, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass."

On the frame behind the cylinder arm are several stampings: a 5-digit number (not the same a serial number on bottom of frame), a small 3, an H, and what appears to be a half-moon. On the back side of the cylinder arm is the same 5-digit number and what appears to be a U and what appears to be the same half-moon.

I can't seem to identify the model of this gun. Pic is attached. Any ideas?
Thanks.

inplanotx · 02-02-2006, 08:06 PM

Open the cylinder and look at the front of the frame. It should be marked like "Mod 36-3" or some number. Let us know

11pt · 02-02-2006, 09:04 PM

There is something that almost looks like an "L" in block lettering but it is very faint underneath the 5-digit number and what appears to be some minor corrosion. If it is a stamping, it is almost undetectable. I would think a model number would be stamped fairly deeply. I know some models were lettered, so tell me what you think. I wish I could get a good pic of it.

11pt · 02-02-2006, 09:15 PM

I took a white crayon to it so you can see the stampings on the frame behind the cylinder arm.

22WRF · 02-02-2006, 09:39 PM

I'm going to take a shot at it.
Model 36 Chiefs Special.
J frame.
Intro. 1952 Value in the $300 range + or -

11pt · 02-04-2006, 10:09 AM

Thanks 22WRF...that's what I had thought but I'm no expert on Smith revolvers. The Blue Book says that ALL S&W revolvers manufactured between 1946 and 1958 were produced without model numbers. This must be an early model between 1952 and 1958. It also says that 1st models had high polish blue and diamond grips....that must be it! Thanks again!

rmeron · 02-04-2006, 04:48 PM

I think in 1955 S&W went with the larger trigger guard such as yours has.The earlier ones had a more rounded trigger guard like an M&P model 10

sarzak · 02-06-2006, 10:28 PM

i also think model 36 or 37 chiefs special. i thi8nk they still make these j frames only now they are called "ladysmiths"!

02-02-2006, 07:55 PM	#1
11pt Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	S&W .38 Special? Hi guys- I have a Smith & Wesson revolver that I inherited from my dad. It's a 5-shot .38 Special with a 1 7/8" barrel. It has checkered walnut grips with an inlaid S&W logo and a diamond shape in the checkering (original grips I believe). "Smith & Wesson" is stamped on the left side of the barrel and ".38 S&W SPL" is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the right side of the frame is "Made in USA, Marcas Registradas, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass." On the frame behind the cylinder arm are several stampings: a 5-digit number (not the same a serial number on bottom of frame), a small 3, an H, and what appears to be a half-moon. On the back side of the cylinder arm is the same 5-digit number and what appears to be a U and what appears to be the same half-moon. I can't seem to identify the model of this gun. Pic is attached. Any ideas? Thanks. Attached Images -->

02-02-2006, 08:06 PM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: S&W .38 Special? Open the cylinder and look at the front of the frame. It should be marked like "Mod 36-3" or some number. Let us know __________________

02-02-2006, 09:04 PM	#3
11pt Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	Re: S&W .38 Special? There is something that almost looks like an "L" in block lettering but it is very faint underneath the 5-digit number and what appears to be some minor corrosion. If it is a stamping, it is almost undetectable. I would think a model number would be stamped fairly deeply. I know some models were lettered, so tell me what you think. I wish I could get a good pic of it.

02-02-2006, 09:15 PM	#4
11pt Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	Re: S&W .38 Special? I took a white crayon to it so you can see the stampings on the frame behind the cylinder arm. Attached Images

02-02-2006, 09:39 PM	#5
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,250	Re: S&W .38 Special? I'm going to take a shot at it. Model 36 Chiefs Special. J frame. Intro. 1952 Value in the $300 range + or - __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel Last edited by 22WRF; 02-02-2006 at 09:41 PM..

02-04-2006, 10:09 AM	#6
11pt Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	Re: S&W .38 Special? Thanks 22WRF...that's what I had thought but I'm no expert on Smith revolvers. The Blue Book says that ALL S&W revolvers manufactured between 1946 and 1958 were produced without model numbers. This must be an early model between 1952 and 1958. It also says that 1st models had high polish blue and diamond grips....that must be it! Thanks again!

02-04-2006, 04:48 PM	#7
rmeron Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 36	Re: S&W .38 Special? I think in 1955 S&W went with the larger trigger guard such as yours has.The earlier ones had a more rounded trigger guard like an M&P model 10

02-06-2006, 10:28 PM	#8
sarzak V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 95	Re: S&W .38 Special? i also think model 36 or 37 chiefs special. i thi8nk they still make these j frames only now they are called "ladysmiths"!