Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special .38 Special, J-Frame, 1 7/8 in Pinned Barrel, Blued, 5-Shot (1966–1968)
This mid-1960s Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special is a steel J-frame snub-nose in .38 Special with a 1 7/8 in pinned barrel, a five-shot fluted cylinder, and a high-polish blued finish. It has fixed sights and checkered walnut Magna-style grips with silver S&W medallions and a diamond around the screw, with clear factory rollmarks noted.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The previous owner appears to have slightly bobbed the hammer. Light blemishes and minor finish wear are present.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special revolver
This Chief's Special features a carbon-steel, 1 7/8 in pinned barrel and a five-shot fluted cylinder, built on the compact steel J-frame. The high-polish blued finish and clear factory rollmarks present a classic appearance consistent with 1960s production.
Sights are fixed, with a serrated ramp front and a square-notch groove in the topstrap. Controls include a cylinder-release latch and an unshrouded ejector rod with a knurled tip. The action is double-action/single-action with a narrow, smooth trigger.
The round-butt grip frame wears checkered walnut Magna-style panels that include the traditional diamond around the screw and silver S&W medallions. This combination delivers the period-correct look and feel associated with the Model 36 of this era.
Production characteristics align with 1966–1968 manufacture: the yoke is stamped "MOD. 36," and the revolver reflects a pre-J-prefix serial format. Made in the United States, this example captures key mid-1960s features, including its pinned barrel.