S&W Model 36 Hammerless Chief Special worth?

T

trafficmaker

Inactive
Had this gun for a number of years and it is in like new condition. Has a 1 7/8" barrel, black with the wood grips. Does not have the flat thumb release. I took it out last night during re-qualifiying so I can carry off-duty/back-up instead of lugging around Glocks all the time. Another officer offered me $400 for it on the spot. I figure it must be worth something or hard to find. I see several hammered chiefs online but I haven't found a hammerless. What it this thing worth?
BTW, I never sale my guns, I am just curious....
I did a search here without success, so please take it easy on the newbie.

trafficmaker™
 
I'm assuming you mean it has a bobbed hammer spur. Does it look like the hammer spur came bobbed from the factory? (Is the area where the spur should be case-colored, or shiny metal?)
 
Bobbed hammer is probably correct. It does have a slight hammer, but not enough to snag on clothing. The area is one piece blued metal as is the rest of the gun. I didn't figure the gun to be worth much, but this guy was pretty persistant. Serial is AVW22**.
 
Hrmmm...

The hammer, if factory, should probably be a sort of mottled and blotchy color, like the trigger.

The serial # dates it to the late '80s, and it could be one of the factory limited-run bobbed hammer guns from that era. If it has fixed sights, it should be DAO, though.

Do you have the box? If so, what's the product code?

If it's one of the factory bobbed Special Edition guns, it could be worth something to a Smith collector; if it's a gunsmith bob, it's just another couple-hunnert-dollar bobbed hammer 36.
 
No factory box. Found it in a garage that was abandoned (NCIC cleared). The cylinder would not turn and it appeared to been used to fire some heavy rounds through. I sent it to S&W and they factory reconditioned it for me for about $40. Nothing on the gun is marked special, however, it does not appear to be a hack job. I remember by g/f carrying a gun just like it for his 45 years of LEO. Another reason not to part with this one.
I will post a picture this weekend of it.
 
Old Loader,

To be perfectly technical, the Model 38 (Bodyguard Airweight) is a 'shrouded hammer' gun, and a 36 sans spur would be a 'bobbed hammer' gun. Centennials (x42's) would be 'hammerless', or (actually) 'enclosed hammer' guns.

So, what about it, trafficmaker, is it a humpback Model 38 or a bobbed-hammer 36?
 
Barrel has Airweight 38 SPL. CTC. on it. I find no model designation at all. I will look for a picture online and compare. Thanks for all the info so far!
 
Ah! Then it's not a Model 36, but a Model 37 or 38. From your "slight hammer" description, maybe Model 38? Does it have a funny "hunchback" shape?
 
Does it look like this?:
rev008.jpg
 
Yep, that would be it. Now, what is it worth?

Ahhh, I see $430 in California. Must be why I got the $400 offer here. thanks everyone!

tm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top