Nice little gun bro. That’s actually a 4 screw, if you take the stocks off you’ll find a fourth screw. Oldest Smiths also have a screw in front of the trigger guard. Smith & Wesson started model number assignment in 1957, so your gun was made before then. Before model numbers they went by model names. Yours is the Chief’s Special, which if I remember right, came out in 1950. It’s great you have the original “Sunburst” box. Look for the screw in front of the trigger guard, also look for serial numbers stamped on the cylinder, crane, and underside of the barrel. You got yourself a real gem there sir.
Hey Al - the missus said you have such nice and kind voice. Beautiful old Chief you have and they don't make them like they used to. I'm also digging that Yankee cavalry hat.
Gorgeous little pistol. I had one back in 1970. Great little shooter and was perfect as a concealed carry pistol!! Merry Christmas to you and yours Al. Take care and God bless.
I think that’s a four screw, with one under the grip. There’s also a five screw with a screw in the trigger guard. I have a five screw with a 3 inch barrel, which is even more rare..
@@300rumman , Sorry , it's a 5 screw . The 4 screws had the fourth screw in front of the trigger guard . The fifth screw , and the first to be eliminated was the one high up in front of the hammer .
I have a similar one called a Titan Tiger. It's a snub nosed .38 special. It is old, shows holster wear, but it just fits & feels so perfect in the hand. I've never shot it, but I do take it with me for protection everywhere I go. I keep it clean & oiled, so hopefully it'll perform for me if & when the time comes. Howdy from TX y'all.⭐🇺🇸👊🏻
❤Perfection…Have you checked with Smith& W to determine where shipped to originally etc. Is it 3 or 4 digit s/n..?Wonder if a Sheriff had purchased it and carried it with out firing it… Such a great find…I had been given a pre-M-36 square butt with 4 digit s/n from a Monroe County ,NY Sheriff’s Deputy…I sold the revolver to one of the First women road patrol deputys…as I had bought a M-60…which I still carry daily… She passed the pre-36 on to three other women deputies,spanning 40 years of combined service…I remember that the revolver had a perfect Royal Blue finish…The square butt was perfect for their use and carry…and accommodated their hands well…I have small regrets for selling it…Merry Christmas and share more of your finds and wisdom…🎉
Wow!!! Sometimes you just get lucky..I found a pre Model 10..an M&P ...turns out it was a special order from the Detroit PD, placed about three weeks before I was born in 1949 and delivered on the day I turned two months old in 1950..it's one of only 123..nickled, and a special order 2 in bbl with factory engraving/special number on the back strap..gonna put it up for auction...
Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent the 36 in the frame. This is simply a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest models were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some had half moon front sight, and other early ones have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” ate a mixture of I and F frames. Somewhat a hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.
I bought a Smith & Wesson model 36 back in the early 1970's. It came with a cleaning rod and a screwdriver. The gun was traded off long ago but I still have the cleaning rod and screwdriver.
Interesting that yours came with a screwdriver.S&W provided the screwdriver to adjust the rear sight, but the 36 had fixed sights. Maybe the tool kit were all the same.
That one is actually a 4 screw. There's another screw on the side plate that's hidden under the top of the stock. The first Chief's Specials came in red boxes.
Nice 36 you have there. I have a model 36 in nickel. I personally have never heard of a model 36 in 32 caliber. All .36 i've only seen are .38 caliber. Any smith and wesson before 1957 will not have a model number. 1957 is the year they started numbering their revolvers. Thus it's a pre model 36. S and w might give you ayear date with serial if you call them???? I called and they gave me dates over the phone. But mine are all after 1957. For a fee they willl archive your gun and till you where your gun was first sent to. As far as 2500 for the gun I don't think so. The snubs are desireable, but I'm guessing 1000 to 1500 is more realistic. model 27 s will only bring 1200 to 1500 and are much more desireable unless you happen to find someone who really has to have it. Just my opinion and everyone has their own.
Its made before 1957 that is when they put model numbers on the guns. The early boxes were red yours is blue. The ramped front sight is it smooth or serrated. if smooth its a early 4 screw transitional which is what it is. very early ones had round front sight and smaller round trigger guard. a carry over from the I frame gun. Changed to longer guard and ramped front in 1952 53 time frame. In 1953 trigger guard screw was dropped and 1955 the top side plate screw was dropped. so yours was before 1953 as it has the top plate screw.
Al, are you sure that's not an I-frame (as opposed to the J-Frame) sometimes called the "pre-Chief" ? The I-frame was slightly smaller than the J-frame revolvers and pre-dated the "Chief Special". When I first became a police officer the Chief Specials were in high demand and hard to find. I ran across a brand new I-frame at a rural hardware store in east Texas but passed on it because it was chambered in .38 S&W, not .38 special. This was in 1971.
Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent 36 on the frame. This is a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest “Chief Specials” were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some have a half moon front sight, and other “Baby Chiefs” have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” are a mixture of I and F frames. A hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.
I got whiplash trying to look close to see if the screw is in front of the trigger guard, endways angled upward that operated the cylinder stop plunger spring on real early guns, and it does not appear to. That change was made in 1953. It still has the large screw at the top of the side plate. That was eliminated on December 13, 1955 at approximately serial number 75,000. This suggests your gun was made some time between 1953 to 1955. That box was used 1954-59 in blue or black. All this points to 1954 or 1955 for date of manufacture. Serial number probably not much higher that 75,000 if that high, could be somewhat lower. Because that variation was only made a couple years, desirability would be very high I would think. Al, you have finally bought a gun I will never get to see you shoot. I would hate owning that. It would keep me lying awake at night from temptation.
where did you find it. yes a lot of cops had a model 36 or model 60 as a backup. i had a model 60 and i liked it because it was stainless steel and i just wiped it off once in awhile. i paid 105 dollars for mine in 1974.
Wow. That's quite a find Al. Beautiful piece!
Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Chiefs Special. Great find.
Wow.What a find👾
Nice little gun bro. That’s actually a 4 screw, if you take the stocks off you’ll find a fourth screw. Oldest Smiths also have a screw in front of the trigger guard. Smith & Wesson started model number assignment in 1957, so your gun was made before then. Before model numbers they went by model names. Yours is the Chief’s Special, which if I remember right, came out in 1950. It’s great you have the original “Sunburst” box. Look for the screw in front of the trigger guard, also look for serial numbers stamped on the cylinder, crane, and underside of the barrel. You got yourself a real gem there sir.
A beautiful piece of history. Merry Christmas.
GORGEOUS! American Art at its peak.
What a beautiful revolver. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful little revolver. Great find. Merry Christmas!
Hey Al - the missus said you have such nice and kind voice. Beautiful old Chief you have and they don't make them like they used to. I'm also digging that Yankee cavalry hat.
Wow! Wish I had your luck finding one of these in mint condition. What a nice gun.
Gorgeous little pistol. I had one back in 1970. Great little shooter and was perfect as a concealed carry pistol!! Merry Christmas to you and yours Al. Take care and God bless.
Cool, that’s the same gun my father had when he was a policeman in the late 40’s and 50’s 👍
I have my Dad's old revolver. The blue wore off the aluminum cylinder. Incredibly accurate for such a small barrel.
That`s SUPER DUPER pard .... You are so lucky to have found it .....🤠🤠👍👍
Wow Beautiful! Merry Christmas…!
Super cool! Merry Christmas
A nice looking little firearm, can't beat a S & W.
Very nice Revolver.
You and your family have a beautiful and blessed weekend and a very beautiful and blessed Merry CHRISTmas. LORD GOD Bless and stay vigilant.
Congrats. Nice find.
Very nice! Same to you and yours Al
That should be a 5 screw, You forgot the one by the trigger guard & one under grip. A great find!
You took the words right out of my mouth regarding the 5 screws . It certainly is a sharp little Smith !
I think that’s a four screw, with one under the grip. There’s also a five screw with a screw in the trigger guard. I have a five screw with a 3 inch barrel, which is even more rare..
@@300rumman , Sorry , it's a 5 screw . The 4 screws had the fourth screw in front of the trigger guard . The fifth screw , and the first to be eliminated was the one high up in front of the hammer .
Very nice congrats
I have a beautiful model 60 and now I’m looking for a very nice model 36. Your pistol is very nice! Thanks for sharing !!
Very Nice Mr. Al. Interesting little video!
Outstanding find!
I have a similar one called a Titan Tiger. It's a snub nosed .38 special.
It is old, shows holster wear, but it just fits & feels so perfect in the hand.
I've never shot it, but I do take it with me for protection everywhere I go.
I keep it clean & oiled, so hopefully it'll perform for me if & when the time comes.
Howdy from TX y'all.⭐🇺🇸👊🏻
Thank you Al. Merry Christmas.🌲
great find
She's a real beauty. Better not put any pink pearlite grips on that one 😂. Have a great Christmas. 🙏👍🇺🇲
Fantastic find Al
Great find Al ! Beautiful condition !!
She's beautiful
Beautiful little revolver, I’d sure like to find one of those.
Boy..she’s a beauty! I have a M36, but much newer,purchased back in 1965. Great find, Al! Thanks for showing us. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸
What a beautiful gun! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Al!
❤Perfection…Have you checked with Smith& W to determine where shipped to originally etc. Is it 3 or 4 digit s/n..?Wonder if a Sheriff had purchased it and carried it with out firing it… Such a great find…I had been given a pre-M-36 square butt with 4 digit s/n from a Monroe County ,NY Sheriff’s Deputy…I sold the revolver to one of the First women road patrol deputys…as I had bought a M-60…which I still carry daily… She passed the pre-36 on to three other women deputies,spanning 40 years of combined service…I remember that the revolver had a perfect Royal Blue finish…The square butt was perfect for their use and carry…and accommodated their hands well…I have small regrets for selling it…Merry Christmas and share more of your finds and wisdom…🎉
Great video, Merry Christmas from Olive Hill, KY!!
Nice weapon there, my friend 🧡
Very Nice. The Blueing looks excellent. Nice find. Merry Christmas
nice find
That is a beautiful piece Al .
That's a nice pistol Al, great presentation. Wishing you and yours a Happy and safe CHRISTmas. 🌲
That's a beaut. I love the glossy bluing
Wow!!! Sometimes you just get lucky..I found a pre Model 10..an M&P ...turns out it was a special order from the Detroit PD, placed about three weeks before I was born in 1949 and delivered on the day I turned two months old in 1950..it's one of only 123..nickled, and a special order 2 in bbl with factory engraving/special number on the back strap..gonna put it up for auction...
👍 Sweet find! I have never seen one just like that before.
Excellent find ! Beautiful revolver!
Beautiful revolver. I got a model 36 with a 3in barrel for $100 and a pack of smokes about 2yr ago.
Love everything about it.
Beautiful!
WOW.
Nice piece Al!!
Very nice!
That's a real beauty right there.
Great find for sure
Congratulations, Al! WOW!!!
Beautiful looking pre 36
👍 it’s a beauty.
Merry Christmas Al beautiful pistol.
Great gun
Nice find, my question is are you going to shoot it? Honestly I would have a hard time doing so.
Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent the 36 in the frame. This is simply a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest models were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some had half moon front sight, and other early ones have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” ate a mixture of I and F frames. Somewhat a hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.
I bought a Smith & Wesson model 36 back in the early 1970's. It came with a cleaning rod and a screwdriver. The gun was traded off long ago but I still have the cleaning rod and screwdriver.
Interesting that yours came with a screwdriver.S&W provided the screwdriver to adjust the rear sight, but the 36 had fixed sights. Maybe the tool kit were all the same.
@ You’re absolutely correct sir. I also had a model 17. I’m sure it came with that.
Very nice 👍👍
That one is actually a 4 screw. There's another screw on the side plate that's hidden under the top of the stock. The first Chief's Specials came in red boxes.
Nice example of gun-making when Smith was at its prime!!!
Merry Christmas, All!
Nice 36 you have there. I have a model 36 in nickel. I personally have never heard of a model 36 in 32 caliber. All .36 i've only seen are .38 caliber. Any smith and wesson before 1957 will not have a model number. 1957 is the year they started numbering their revolvers. Thus it's a pre model 36. S and w might give you ayear date with serial if you call them???? I called and they gave me dates over the phone. But mine are all after 1957. For a fee they willl archive your gun and till you where your gun was first sent to. As far as 2500 for the gun I don't think so. The snubs are desireable, but I'm guessing 1000 to 1500 is more realistic. model 27 s will only bring 1200 to 1500 and are much more desireable unless you happen to find someone who really has to have it. Just my opinion and everyone has their own.
Its made before 1957 that is when they put model numbers on the guns. The early boxes were red yours is blue. The ramped front sight is it smooth or serrated. if smooth its a early 4 screw transitional which is what it is. very early ones had round front sight and smaller round trigger guard. a carry over from the I frame gun. Changed to longer guard and ramped front in 1952 53 time frame. In 1953 trigger guard screw was dropped and 1955 the top side plate screw was dropped. so yours was before 1953 as it has the top plate screw.
Gave ya a thumbs up. Where did you find that little gem?
Nice, could have it been refinished?
Al, are you sure that's not an I-frame (as opposed to the J-Frame) sometimes called the "pre-Chief" ? The I-frame was slightly smaller than the J-frame revolvers and pre-dated the "Chief Special". When I first became a police officer the Chief Specials were in high demand and hard to find. I ran across a brand new I-frame at a rural hardware store in east Texas but passed on it because it was chambered in .38 S&W, not .38 special. This was in 1971.
Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent 36 on the frame. This is a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest “Chief Specials” were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some have a half moon front sight, and other “Baby Chiefs” have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” are a mixture of I and F frames. A hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.
Saw a ore model 17 sat in a pawn shop for about a yaer for 850. wasn't mint, but very nise it was 1956 built
They did used to polish the guns a bit better before bluing.
get it hot.🤠
Too small for me, but damn that's pretty
Merry Christmas 🎄
I got whiplash trying to look close to see if the screw is in front of the trigger guard, endways angled upward that operated the cylinder stop plunger spring on real early guns, and it does not appear to. That change was made in 1953. It still has the large screw at the top of the side plate. That was eliminated on December 13, 1955 at approximately serial number 75,000. This suggests your gun was made some time between 1953 to 1955. That box was used 1954-59 in blue or black. All this points to 1954 or 1955 for date of manufacture. Serial number probably not much higher that 75,000 if that high, could be somewhat lower. Because that variation was only made a couple years, desirability would be very high I would think.
Al, you have finally bought a gun I will never get to see you shoot. I would hate owning that. It would keep me lying awake at night from temptation.
where did you find it. yes a lot of cops had a model 36 or model 60 as a backup. i had a model 60 and i liked it because it was stainless steel and i just wiped it off once in awhile. i paid 105 dollars for mine in 1974.
That would look good under my Christmas tree Al. Hint. Hint.
You need to send in $100 and get a letter on that one.
Had one in32 cal
Merry Christmas and a happy shooting New Year of 2025
I'd bet you have a .38 or two.... so, are you going to keep it in unfired condition? I hope so!
It was test fired
Sweat
One problem it is a Smith and weaaon.
HOW MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!