help with manufacture date for pistol

[michael10sley]

I have a Smith & Wesson 38 Special (Chief's Special Model 36) short barrel.
I'd like to know when it was manufactured and S&W website doesn't have that information link.
The number on the butt of the grip is: 575263 and the number on the hinge in front of the cylinder is: 45035.

 

[GCBurner]

There's a Sticky thread for requesting S&W mfg. date info in the Revolvers Forum here, I believe.

 

[waidmann]

1955

 

[Radagast]

575263 is the serial number, 45035 is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and has no meaning after the gun was completed. It was manufactured between 1966 (serial numbers in the 392000 range) and 1969 (serial number 786544).
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1966-1968, if original and the checkering runs up to the screws then 1968-69.