Smith & Wesson Pre-36 Chiefs Special .38 Spl. 2″ DA/SA Revolver & Box C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,011.00

LSB #: WY240925JT105

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: The .38 Chiefs Special/ Pre 36

Serial Number: 7018 (Four-digit serial number, second-year production.

Year of Manufacture: 1951-1952 / C&R  (Reference Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson and feature changes)

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: 5-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver.

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The left side of the frame, below the cylinder release, is marked with the “S&W” trademark logo. The bottom of the butt grip frame is marked with the serial number “7018”. The crane and crane cut is marked “41438”. The right side of the barrel is marked “38 S&W. SPL.”. The right side of the frame, below the cylinder, is marked with the four-line “Marcas Registradas” address. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number. 

Barrel Length: 1 7/8”, Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an older style smooth ramp forged with the barrel rib. The rear sight is a square notch in the top strap. (The smooth ramp front sight found until 1952)

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checked diamond walnut grips. There are common handling marks. The checkering is strong. The grips rate about fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is minor fouling near the muzzle. The Bore rates 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a light turn line on the cylinder. There is faint operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition. Please see our photos.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has very light side-to-side movement. The single action is crisp. The double-action trigger is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Factory Letter from Smith & Wesson.  A red S&W Box in fine shape. The box is tagged “Smith & Wesson 38 Chiefs Special” and is appropriate for the revolver’s age. The numbers on the box do not match the gun.

Our Assessment: This small revolver, designed primarily for plainclothesmen and off-duty police officers, made its public debut at The International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in 1950. At the conference, the Smith & Wesson sales force asked the police chiefs to vote on a name for the new revolver. The most commonly suggested name was .38 Chief’s Special. Designed with the needs of law enforcement officials in mind, the Chief’s Special proved to be a popular revolver for personal protection due to its size and weight. When Smith & Wesson adopted model numbers in 1957, the Chiefs Special became the Model 36.

This is a blue Chief Special with a two-inch barrel and round butt, featuring the early small trigger guard, first flat latch, and the smooth ramp sight. These features are rarely observed and should be taken under consideration when placing a value on this piece. It is in phenomenal shape and is a classic gun to add to any collection. It seems to have been cared for meticulously over its 70-plus years. It’s a gun that should be held as a shining example of what Smith & Wesson does right. Be the one that takes it into their fold for the next half-century.

BF