Smith and Wesson Dates of Manufacture???

[SteveC]

I picked up an older pinned bbl Smith model 36 with a 3" barrel today. The gun is still in the original factory box and appears to have never been fired (except proofing of course). It is really a beauty. I wonder if any of you might have reference material for Smith manufacture dates by serial number? Just in case you do, the SN is J397XXX. It has the thin barrel and thin long ramp front sight. Also, it is a square butt type. Any ideas or info?

Any and all comments are welcome, and thanks in advance!

Steve

[SteveC]

Here's an iPhone photo of the little gem...

[IMG] Smith Model 36 by mountain_doo2, on Flickr[/IMG]

[da gimp]

go to the S&W forum.com & post this on the right board there, ya gotta register, just like here. Post this question & your pix. Roy Jinks & ed both hang out there & this one will draw oohs & ahssssssss. congrats

[gwp]

From Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd ed.:

1976- 1977 J370001 - J610000

[SteveC]

Thanks Gimp and gwp! I will confess I'm a little disappointed, I really hoped the lil' lady was older than me, but I've got it by 11 years or so. But hey, it does make me feel kinda lucky like John Holbrook, having a lovely younger lady in my life now and all (only the little Smith in my case though)...

[Johnny P]

Smith & Wesson added the model number in 1957/58.

[da gimp]

Still go over to the S&W Forum.com, great buncha guys & post this, she's a sweety.

[SteveC]

I'll try to do that tonight from home Gimp. Thanks again!

[SteveC]

Hey Gimp, can you give me the address for that forum? I tried S&W Forum.com and the resultant search on google turned up several smith forums... Thanks!

Steve

[da gimp]

try S&Wforum.com, will have several boards, listing every age/type of S&W's. Will have lounge, S&W collector assn etc