Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special .38 Special, 2-inch Blued J-Frame, 5-Shot (1972)
Classic 1972 Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special chambered in .38 Special with a 2-inch pinned barrel and polished blue finish. This J-frame, 5-shot revolver features carbon-steel construction, fixed sights, and period-correct color case-hardened hammer and trigger. It carries its original checkered walnut service stocks with S&W medallions and exhibits hallmark early-1970s production traits, including the unshrouded ejector rod and floating-J serial era.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are markings from previous handling and use. Refer to the photos for a close look at surfaces and details.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special revolver
This Model 36 represents a desirable early-1970s example of the Chiefs Special with its 2-inch pinned carbon-steel barrel and polished blue finish. The compact J-frame and 5-shot fluted cylinder make it a quintessential carry-size .38 Special from this era.
Controls and small parts are period correct, including the exposed, checkered hammer and the smooth, narrow, color case-hardened trigger. The ejector rod is the unshrouded short style with a knurled tip, consistent with the model’s early-1970s configuration.
Fixed sights include a serrated ramp front and a top-strap groove rear, offering a simple, durable sighting arrangement. The revolver wears checkered walnut service stocks with S&W medallions on a J-frame round-butt, non-diamond pattern set.
Factory markings are present: right frame rollmark reads "MADE IN U.S.A. / MARCAS REGISTRADAS / SMITH & WESSON / SPRINGFIELD, MASS." with the S&W crest on the left sideplate. The yoke/crane shows factory assembly numbers, and production falls within the early-1970s floating-J serial style period.