A rare smith & Wesson you have got to see. Check it out.

[@gillysguns9244]

Wow. That's quite a find Al. Beautiful piece! Have a Merry Christmas!!!

[@ctsnider88]

A beautiful piece of history. Merry Christmas.

[@paulbervid1610]

Chiefs Special. Great find.

[@paulh1728]

Wow.What a find👾

[@ironhorse127]

Beautiful little revolver. Great find. Merry Christmas!

[@Who-ry8of]

Smith and Wesson made beautiful pistols in their heyday. Nice find.

[@Tomato1964]

I have my Dad's old revolver. The blue wore off the aluminum cylinder. Incredibly accurate for such a small barrel.

[@catyear75]

Wow Beautiful! Merry Christmas…!

[@KirbSyde-vf4cf]

I have a similar one called a Titan Tiger. It's a snub nosed .38 special. It is old, shows holster wear, but it just fits & feels so perfect in the hand. I've never shot it, but I do take it with me for protection everywhere I go. I keep it clean & oiled, so hopefully it'll perform for me if & when the time comes. Howdy from TX y'all.⭐🇺🇸👊🏻

[@steveb7310]

Nice little gun bro. That’s actually a 4 screw, if you take the stocks off you’ll find a fourth screw. Oldest Smiths also have a screw in front of the trigger guard. Smith & Wesson started model number assignment in 1957, so your gun was made before then. Before model numbers they went by model names. Yours is the Chief’s Special, which if I remember right, came out in 1950. It’s great you have the original “Sunburst” box. Look for the screw in front of the trigger guard, also look for serial numbers stamped on the cylinder, crane, and underside of the barrel. You got yourself a real gem there sir.

[@jonathanmartin8517]

GORGEOUS! American Art at its peak.

[@edwardpetty5401]

What a beautiful revolver. Thanks for sharing!

[@MEA-k7c]

👍 Sweet find! I have never seen one just like that before.

[@TheFreedomfighter45]

Nice find AL merry Christmas.

[@LionquestFitness]

Hey Al - the missus said you have such nice and kind voice. Beautiful old Chief you have and they don't make them like they used to. I'm also digging that Yankee cavalry hat.

[@billsummy2412]

That`s SUPER DUPER pard .... You are so lucky to have found it .....🤠🤠👍👍

[@KenBlackRifleAmerica]

Gorgeous little pistol. I had one back in 1970. Great little shooter and was perfect as a concealed carry pistol!! Merry Christmas to you and yours Al. Take care and God bless.

[@Jaybird-oo3ih]

Beautiful little revolver, I’d sure like to find one of those.

[@GPgundude]

I have a beautiful model 60 and now I’m looking for a very nice model 36. Your pistol is very nice! Thanks for sharing !!

[@94twentytwo76]

Super cool! Merry Christmas

[@adamthomson2873]

Very nice Revolver.

[@leederby136]

Cool, that’s the same gun my father had when he was a policeman in the late 40’s and 50’s 👍

[@gunnwild1]

Fantastic find Al

[@robwilson3749]

Congrats. Nice find.

[@averageguy2525]

That should be a 5 screw, You forgot the one by the trigger guard & one under grip. A great find!

[@keithwilder4543]

You took the words right out of my mouth regarding the 5 screws . It certainly is a sharp little Smith !

[@300rumman]

I think that’s a four screw, with one under the grip. There’s also a five screw with a screw in the trigger guard. I have a five screw with a 3 inch barrel, which is even more rare..

[@keithwilder4543]

@@300rumman , Sorry , it's a 5 screw . The 4 screws had the fourth screw in front of the trigger guard . The fifth screw , and the first to be eliminated was the one high up in front of the hammer .

[@fbweaver63]

great find

[@JasonPerkins-yv5qg]

Very nice! Same to you and yours Al

[@mikereimus8879]

Very nice congrats

[@viejo2a]

Boy..she’s a beauty! I have a M36, but much newer,purchased back in 1965. Great find, Al! Thanks for showing us. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@007twm]

Thank you Al. Merry Christmas.🌲

[@kevinlytle6215]

Wow! Wish I had your luck finding one of these in mint condition. What a nice gun.

[@Treashuntr2020]

Outstanding find!

[@chubbethsthunder]

You and your family have a beautiful and blessed weekend and a very beautiful and blessed Merry CHRISTmas. LORD GOD Bless and stay vigilant.

[@billdye3530]

She's a real beauty. Better not put any pink pearlite grips on that one 😂. Have a great Christmas. 🙏👍🇺🇲

[@TTime685]

That's a beaut. I love the glossy bluing

[@miker9043]

Great find Al ! Beautiful condition !!

[@newtquick1757]

She's beautiful

[@davidbuldini8385]

Great video, Merry Christmas from Olive Hill, KY!!

[@HarshmanHills]

nice find

[@kerrydavidsadler980]

A nice looking little firearm, can't beat a S & W.

[@MichaelSmith-jz4st]

Excellent find ! Beautiful revolver!

[@JavierGalvan-s2f]

That's a nice pistol Al, great presentation. Wishing you and yours a Happy and safe CHRISTmas. 🌲

[@GoldenClays1]

Very Nice Mr. Al. Interesting little video!

[@tucsonjack3991]

Very Nice. The Blueing looks excellent. Nice find. Merry Christmas

[@jamesbullock3259]

Nice weapon there, my friend 🧡

[@melvinbartholomew6410]

What a beautiful gun! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Al!

[@marcthomas2482]

Beautiful!

[@jimchambers7548]

Beautiful revolver. I got a model 36 with a 3in barrel for $100 and a pack of smokes about 2yr ago.

[@dhardison]

Very nice!

[@donpacker4803]

That is a beautiful piece Al .

[@lesgillard985]

WOW.

[@yuvgotubekidding]

Love everything about it.

[@cbroz7492]

Wow!!! Sometimes you just get lucky..I found a pre Model 10..an M&P ...turns out it was a special order from the Detroit PD, placed about three weeks before I was born in 1949 and delivered on the day I turned two months old in 1950..it's one of only 123..nickled, and a special order 2 in bbl with factory engraving/special number on the back strap..gonna put it up for auction...

[@josephstarnes8747]

That's a real beauty right there.

[@jglide20]

Merry Christmas Al!

[@jordangouveia1863]

I think that's a 4 screw gun the fourth is under the grip. Later S&W dropped the top screw and used a lug sans screw. Very nice find unfired too!!

[@windefender2444]

Nice find, my question is are you going to shoot it? Honestly I would have a hard time doing so.

[@scottmorgan1016]

Great find for sure

[@kylewood8327]

Beautiful looking pre 36

[@donalda.tubman6201]

❤Perfection…Have you checked with Smith& W to determine where shipped to originally etc. Is it 3 or 4 digit s/n..?Wonder if a Sheriff had purchased it and carried it with out firing it… Such a great find…I had been given a pre-M-36 square butt with 4 digit s/n from a Monroe County ,NY Sheriff’s Deputy…I sold the revolver to one of the First women road patrol deputys…as I had bought a M-60…which I still carry daily… She passed the pre-36 on to three other women deputies,spanning 40 years of combined service…I remember that the revolver had a perfect Royal Blue finish…The square butt was perfect for their use and carry…and accommodated their hands well…I have small regrets for selling it…Merry Christmas and share more of your finds and wisdom…🎉

[@timvodenichar8406]

Merry Christmas Al beautiful pistol.

[@speedyconcretepumper]

Nice piece Al!!

[@HOOSIERDADDY385]

Very nice 👍👍

[@maxmccain8950]

I bought a Smith & Wesson model 36 back in the early 1970's. It came with a cleaning rod and a screwdriver. The gun was traded off long ago but I still have the cleaning rod and screwdriver.

[@steveb7310]

Interesting that yours came with a screwdriver.S&W provided the screwdriver to adjust the rear sight, but the 36 had fixed sights. Maybe the tool kit were all the same.

[@maxmccain8950]

@ You’re absolutely correct sir. I also had a model 17. I’m sure it came with that.

[@jmac6782]

Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent the 36 in the frame. This is simply a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest models were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some had half moon front sight, and other early ones have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” ate a mixture of I and F frames. Somewhat a hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.

[@tomcarr4630]

Congratulations, Al! WOW!!!

[@lcurtsinger4313]

Great gun

[@3Pillers]

👍 it’s a beauty.

[@MikeGilliland-cs9om]

Nice 36 you have there. I have a model 36 in nickel. I personally have never heard of a model 36 in 32 caliber. All .36 i've only seen are .38 caliber. Any smith and wesson before 1957 will not have a model number. 1957 is the year they started numbering their revolvers. Thus it's a pre model 36. S and w might give you ayear date with serial if you call them???? I called and they gave me dates over the phone. But mine are all after 1957. For a fee they willl archive your gun and till you where your gun was first sent to. As far as 2500 for the gun I don't think so. The snubs are desireable, but I'm guessing 1000 to 1500 is more realistic. model 27 s will only bring 1200 to 1500 and are much more desireable unless you happen to find someone who really has to have it. Just my opinion and everyone has their own.

[@johnholcomn8560]

Classic.

[@mark.gallaher3193]

That one is actually a 4 screw. There's another screw on the side plate that's hidden under the top of the stock. The first Chief's Specials came in red boxes.

[@markchambers2812]

Boy howdy ! S&W , revolvers was the best , back then . Why they don’t start making them in the blue finish, boggles my mind . Merry Christmas brotherman !

[@ronaldfarley7130]

Nice example of gun-making when Smith was at its prime!!!

[@Rem-870]

Its made before 1957 that is when they put model numbers on the guns. The early boxes were red yours is blue. The ramped front sight is it smooth or serrated. if smooth its a early 4 screw transitional which is what it is. very early ones had round front sight and smaller round trigger guard. a carry over from the I frame gun. Changed to longer guard and ramped front in 1952 53 time frame. In 1953 trigger guard screw was dropped and 1955 the top side plate screw was dropped. so yours was before 1953 as it has the top plate screw.

[@roycohuttabrown]

I see someone else also alluded to this in the comments. I think that may be a 5 screw gun. This should be a pre-1957 Chief's Special. In 1955, the top (5th) sideplate screw was eliminated on most models, and we see your gun has that screw. Around 1961, the (4th) screw on the front of the triggerguard was eliminated on most models. There may be a flat screw hidden under the very top of the stocks/grips.

[@Theantiquerepairman]

From Kentucky also i have a pre 36 i thank my was made in 53 with a 4 digit sn number ..a lot of federal agents used them here in Kentucky doing moonshine raids while working in civilian clothes

[@dennisbrummett3047]

Al, are you sure that's not an I-frame (as opposed to the J-Frame) sometimes called the "pre-Chief" ? The I-frame was slightly smaller than the J-frame revolvers and pre-dated the "Chief Special". When I first became a police officer the Chief Specials were in high demand and hard to find. I ran across a brand new I-frame at a rural hardware store in east Texas but passed on it because it was chambered in .38 S&W, not .38 special. This was in 1971.

[@jmac6782]

Smith began model numbers in 1957. This is pre 1957 being absent 36 on the frame. This is a “Chief Special” given the name in 1950 by a vote of Police Chiefs at the International Chiefs of Police. The earliest “Chief Specials” were given the nickname “Baby Chiefs.” They have a slightly smaller grip length, smaller trigger guard, COMPLETELY flat latch, and dubbed the “5 screw”, due to the placement of a 5th screw forward of the trigger guard. Some have a half moon front sight, and other “Baby Chiefs” have the traditional ramped front sight. All “Baby Chiefs” are a mixture of I and F frames. A hybrid compared to those manufactured post 1952 I do believe.

[@jamesniffen5440]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@rocklickranch2804]

Gave ya a thumbs up. Where did you find that little gem?

[@johnfarrar7448]

Merry Christmas, All!

[@main095099]

get it hot.🤠

[@doranmaxwell1755]

They did used to polish the guns a bit better before bluing.

[@MikeGilliland-cs9om]

Saw a ore model 17 sat in a pawn shop for about a yaer for 850. wasn't mint, but very nise it was 1956 built

[@patcoulter2740]

Nice, could have it been refinished?

[@michaelhartzell9758]

Too small for me, but damn that's pretty

[@goldsharkmark7808]

It’s not mint if the cylinder nder has been turned and a line has been formed. But it is nice.

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

where did you find it. yes a lot of cops had a model 36 or model 60 as a backup. i had a model 60 and i liked it because it was stainless steel and i just wiped it off once in awhile. i paid 105 dollars for mine in 1974.

[@glennycarroll]

I got whiplash trying to look close to see if the screw is in front of the trigger guard, endways angled upward that operated the cylinder stop plunger spring on real early guns, and it does not appear to. That change was made in 1953. It still has the large screw at the top of the side plate. That was eliminated on December 13, 1955 at approximately serial number 75,000. This suggests your gun was made some time between 1953 to 1955. That box was used 1954-59 in blue or black. All this points to 1954 or 1955 for date of manufacture. Serial number probably not much higher that 75,000 if that high, could be somewhat lower. Because that variation was only made a couple years, desirability would be very high I would think. Al, you have finally bought a gun I will never get to see you shoot. I would hate owning that. It would keep me lying awake at night from temptation.

[@TARandFEATHERS]

That would look good under my Christmas tree Al. Hint. Hint.

[@palerider964]

You need to send in $100 and get a letter on that one.

[@johnblood3731]

Had one in32 cal

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Al what a wonderful find. How's the medical issues, have your surgery on our personal and church prayer list. I know it's a wonderful collector but me I WOULD HAVE TO SHOOT IT. I've never seen one of those that I can remember. Thanks for showing us this wonderful wheel gun. Have a blessed Christmas.

[@therifleman5611]

Merry Christmas and a happy shooting New Year of 2025

[@charlesstaples2086]

It was test fired

[@markgoostree6334]

I'd bet you have a .38 or two.... so, are you going to keep it in unfired condition? I hope so!

[@mrod7692]

Sweat

[@williamjones2340]

One problem it is a Smith and weaaon.

[@crabappleoutdoors7875]

HOW MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!