Found a rare one!

[Dewidmt]

I collect S&W revolvers, especially enjoying the older models. S&W made the Chief's Special starting in 1950 with the first couple of years being "Baby" Chiefs, basically an I frame (Terrier) with an elongated cylinder for the .38 Special round. The full blown J-frame as we know it would come about in 1953.

Was offered this beauty this weekend at a local show. Baby Chief, 4 digit SN#, early half-moon front sight and the first issue flat latch. From what the forums are telling me so far, it seems only about 0.6% of the first run was in factory nickel, making this somewhat of a unicorn.

I will be sending off for a factory letter from the S&W historical society to see exactly when it was built and shipped. Only flaw I can find is that the original grips are gone. These seem to be Jay Scott fake pearl from the 1960's.

 

[indyblue]

That's sharp! Never seen a nickel one. I have one from 1956 that's blued with the later latch.

EDIT: guess it's a 1955 from the date inside the box

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Fantastic piece.

 

[Jaybird1980]

That is an awesome find, but I believe it would have been 38 S&W not special
Edit: I stand corrected. Never new these even existed until now. Even more impressive now.

I am jealous for sure

 

[Creedmoor]

Beautiful handgun, all it needs to be period correct is a Tyler Shoe.

 

[Sigblitz]

That was the genesis to the J frame, because the I frame couldn't handle 38 so they changed the frame. It would have had diamond grips. I think this is too early to be sold in nickel. I believe you had to mail it back and pay quite a bit for factory nickel, and they would stamp it under the grip. I don't remember the stamp. That was only made in 1950.

 

[Dewidmt]

That was the genesis to the J frame, because the I frame couldn't handle 38 so they changed the frame. It would have had diamond grips. I think this is too early to be sold in nickel. I believe you had to mail it back and pay quite a bit for factory nickel, and they would stamp it under the grip. I don't remember the stamp. That was only made in 1950.

This is the factory nickel, stamped with the capital "N" under the barrel flat, grip frame and under the ejector star. From what I'm reading and the guys at S&W forum, only 0.6% of the factory guns were nickel. Sent off for the letter today, so we'll know for sure in a couple months....

 

[Sigblitz]

This is the factory nickel, stamped with the capital "N" under the barrel flat, grip frame and under the ejector star. From what I'm reading and the guys at S&W forum, only 0.6% of the factory guns were nickel. Sent off for the letter today, so we'll know for sure in a couple months....

Nice

I researched smiths, not this one, that had to be sent back for nickel. If I recall correctly, the process was so expensive then they only did it at customer request.

 

[Sigblitz]

Here's what I was talking about. This one could be sent back for nickel. I thought that's how they did it.

OK I am stumped.

A friend at work has a Smith and Wesson 44mag 6" nickel. Where the model should be, under the assembly number, is stamped 0. He is offering to sell it to me and wants me to tell him how much it is worth, but I'm stumped. He has shown me a picture of the model number, and I had to look again to...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[MrSmitty]

Original or not, that is one sexy gun! Great find, and I'm sure it will be loved.....

 

[model1994]

interesting for sure! please update when you hear from Smith

 

[Robert Richardson]

Nice piece for sure, you did good.

 

[Sigblitz]

Yes, very nice. Rare, historical, one year model, rare nickel. I haven't even seen one.

 

[Dewidmt]

Update!

Received THE LETTER from S&W today. It is original factory nickel, shipped April 21st, 1952 to Rex Firearms, INC. of New York City as a part of a 15 Chief's Special order.

Thanks to chief38 over on the S&W Forum page, she now wears the correct grips also!

 

[Mij]

Too cool, you are one lucky dog. Congrats.

 

[Mij]

40.26 ea.