The Smith & Wesson Model 36 (also known as the Chief's Special) is a revolver chambered for .38 Special. It is one of several models of J-frame revolvers. It was introduced in 1950, and is still in production in the classic blued Model 36 and the stainless steel Model 60.

History[edit]

I have a Smith & Wesson pistol, 32 cal five shot, grip safety hammerless, blued finish, pearl griip, S/N 48271. It belonged to my grandmother when she was a one room schoolteacher in rural Montana in read more. There were only 100 of these 38 Safety Hammerless Revolvers sold to the U.S. Government in May of 1890, making these one of the most difficult and desirable of all U.S. The revolvers are Third Models, although they are in the Second Model serial number range, 41333 - 41470 (note serial number of this revolver). The revolver has the push button barrel release, two line address. Locate either 'Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts' or 'Smith & Wesson; Houlton, ME' stamped on the barrel. This identification proves that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol. Locate the serial number on the left side of the pistol's frame.

The Model 36 was designed in the era just after World War II, when Smith & Wesson stopped producing war materials and resumed normal production. For the Model 36, they sought to design a revolver that could fire the more powerful (compared to the .38 Long Colt or the .38 S&W) .38 Special round in a small, concealable package. Since the older I-frame was not able to handle this load, a new frame was designed, which became the J-frame.

The new design was introduced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in 1950, and was favorably received. A vote was held to name the new revolver, and the name 'Chiefs Special' won.^[1][2] A 3-inch (76 mm) barreled version design went into production immediately, due to high demand. It was available in either a blued or nickel-plated finish.^[3] It was produced as the 'Chiefs Special' until 1957, when it then became the Model 36. The 'Chiefs Special' continued to be manufactured as a separate variant.

In 1951, Smith & Wesson introduced the Airweight Model 37, which was basically the Model 36 design with an aluminum frame and cylinder. The aluminum cylinders proved to be problematic and were abandoned in favor of a steel cylinder.^[3]

In 1989, Smith & Wesson introduced the LadySmith variant of the Model 36. This was available with 2 in (51 mm) or 3 in (76 mm) barrel and blued finish. This model also featured special grips designed specifically for women, and had 'LADYSMITH' engraved on the frame.^[4]

Approximately 615 Model 36-6 Target variations were produced. This variant had a 3-inch full lug barrel with adjustable sights and a blued glass finish.

In 2002, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 36 with gold features (hammer, thumbpiece, extractor, and trigger), calling it the 'Model 36 Gold'. The gold color was actually titanium nitride.

In 2005, Smith & Wesson produced the 'Texas Hold 'Em' variant. This was produced with a blued finish, imitation ivory grips, and 24k gold plate engraving.

Many Model 37 variants with a lanyard ring attached were made for Japan. Part of this contract was cancelled, resulting in many of these being sold to a wholesaler, who then re-sold them for civilian use. These entered the civilian market in 2001. In 2006, the Model 37 was dropped from Smith & Wesson's catalog.

Serial number 337 was shipped to J. Edgar Hoover and is engraved with his name.

In 1958, Spanish manufacturer Astra developed a high quality revolver line based on this weapon, under the name of Astra Cadix, Astra 250 and Astra NC6.

Design and features[edit]

Designed to be small and compact, the Model 36 has been produced with 2-inch (1.875 inch actual length) or 3-inch barrels with fixed sights. A version with an adjustable rear sight, the Model 50 Chief's Special Target, was also produced in limited numbers with both 2-inch and 3-inch barrels.

Like nearly all other 'J-frame' Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a 5-round capacity in a swing-out cylinder, and features an exposed hammer. It features a nickel-plated or blued finish and either wood or rubber grips.

Users[edit]

• Japan: Shipped 5,344 Model 37s in 2003^[5]and additional 5,519 in 2005 for the National Police Agency.^[6]
• Malaysia: From 1970 to 2000, the Model 36 is standard sidearm for plainclothed detective in Royal Malaysian PoliceSpecial Branch or Criminal Investigation Division before Glock 17 adoption. It also used by RELA Corps Medium/Lower Rank Officer (permanent or volunteer) as training or self-defence weapon before the adoption of the Glock 19/26 and HK USP 9mm and is still used until today.
• Malta: It was standard issue for the Mobile Squad in the Malta Police Force until the arrival of the Glock 17 in 2007. They have since then been withdrawn from active carry, but they are still all being kept in the General Police Headquarters in Floriana.
• Norway: Although never a standard service gun in Norway, it is kept in the Norwegian Police Service inventory as a pure self-defensive option, for off-duty officers who meet certain criteria.
• South Korea: In 1974, it was used in the failed attempt to assassinate South Korean president Park Chung-hee, killing his wife Yuk Young-soo instead. Five years later, M36 Chief Special was, once again, used to assassinate Park.
• United States: For many years, the Model 36 was the standard police detective and 'plainclothes man' carry weapon for many police agencies including the NYPD. Many police officers still use it or one of its newer Smith & Wesson descendants as a 'back up' weapon to their primary duty pistol or as their 'off-duty' weapon. For several years in the mid-1970s, the Model 36 was issued to and carried as a duty weapon by administrative and command staff of the NC State Highway Patrol, but it was later replaced when all troopers were required to carry the then duty issue weapon, the S&W Model 66 .357, which was in turn later replaced with the last Smith revolver, the Model 686, before the agency switched to semi-automatics in the early 1990s.

References[edit]

Smith And Wesson Safety Hammerless Serial Numbers

1. ^Ayoob, Massad. Greatest Handguns of the World (Krause Publications, Inc., 2010) p. 208
2. ^Jinks, Roy G. History of Smith & Wesson (Beinfeld Publishing,1977), p. 225.
3. ^ ^abArmed for Personal Defense by Jerry Ahern
4. ^'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' By Jim Supica, Richard Nahas
5. ^'Department of State Letter on May 18, 2003'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
6. ^'US Department of State Letter on September 6, 2005'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.

External links[edit]

Accepted Forms of Payment

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Smith And Wesson Safety Hammerless Serial Number Date

LOCAL PICK UP - ARIZONA FIREARMS BUYERS
Arizona residents MUST pick-up in person at Bradford's Auction Gallery with a scheduled date of pick up. Details and information will be included on the winning bidders invoice. Any local Arizona Buyer of Post 1898 firearms MUST complete all necessary registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery. Local Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with Current Physical Address. If your Arizona ID does not reflect your current address you MUST provide us with a secondary form of ID that contains your correct address. Arizona Gun Dealers must have a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License in order to accept delivery of modern weapons. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE.
OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING FIREARMS BUYERS:
Shipping for Out-of-State Buyers must be done through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center. All firearms Post 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License on ALL Modern Weapons. The full cost of shipping and packing will be at the winning bidders / buyers expense. It is your responsibility to provide Westside Mail Center with the FFL dealer of your choice and they are responsible for sending the 3rd party shipper a copy of their FFL information. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE.
We've Partnered with Westside Mail Center for all of your auction shipping needs. They offer FedEx, DHL, UPS and USPS services for most parcels. For those larger items, Packing, Shipping, Crating & Freight services are available. For questions related to shipping please feel free to contact them directly for shipping questions or quotes. Once we have received your payment your purchase will be turned over to Westside Mail Center our exclusive shipping provider. Westside Mail Center will proactively reach out to you to arrange packing, shipping and insurance.
Westside Mail Center
13794 W Waddell Rd Suite 203, Surprise, AZ 85379
Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm, Saturdays 9am - 2pm , Closed Sundays.
Phone: 623-825-6016
Email: yourshipment@westsidemailcenter.com
www.westsidemailcenter.com
All fees and costs associated with shipping are separate from the hammer price (winning bid), buyer's premium and sales taxes. The winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping.