Help dating a S&W Model 36

[Danger Fish]

I was recently gifted a Smith & Wesson model 36, and i have some confusion on the age of it. I called s&w customer service and they told me it was made in 1954, but the yolk is clearly marked "MOD 36", which to my understanding wasnt done that year. Any insight as to the age and value of this pretty little thing would be much appreciated

 

[Jim Watson]

Sorry, those attachments don't bring up anything on PC or iPad.

 

[AZAndy]

Your photos aren't viewable. What's the start of your serial number? I have a pre-36 Chiefs Special from 1957, right before they went to model numbers, with a serial number of 1243XX. Your serial is higher than that, right? And is it just MOD 36, or is there a dash after it like MOD 36-1, et cetera?

 

[243winxb]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-manufacture-of-s-w-revolvers.372213/page-292 see post 7289 for photos. serial number is 460151

 

[Danger Fish]

Sorry for the mix-up. New to the forums and still learning. The photos are back on the post

 

[AZAndy]

The cylinder release latch was changed from a flat one to one like you have in 1966. The serial numbers started with a J beginning in 1969, so it's 1966-1968, I would guess.

Welcome to the forum! Anybody with a .38 snubnose from the sixties is okay by me.

P.S. Those grips look to be a set from Jay Scott, and aren't original to the gun. That's why they don't fit precisely.

 

[Danger Fish]

Thanks for the info! One more question, the firing pin wiggles around in the hammer. Is this normal?

 

[243winxb]

The firing pin is called a hammer nose. They move around. Some have a spring to hold pin in position , some dont.

 

[natman]

The thumbpiece was changed to this style in 1966 and the Model 36-1 came in in 1967, so I'd say it was made in 1966.

 

[murf]

there is a sticky at the top of the revolver forum for dating s&w pistols. response is quick and accurate.

welcome to the high road.

murf