Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .38 Chiefs Special, "Pre-Model 36", 5-Screw

Serial Number: 42669

Year of Manufacture: 1953-1954 / C&R

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: 5-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver.

Barrel Length: 2”, Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade integral to the solid barrel rib. The rear sight is a square notch in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checked walnut magna grips with S&W medallions and smooth diamond around the grip screw. The checkering is defined with mild peak wear. There is a small chip in the front of the left grip near the top of the front strap. The grips rate about Good overall condition. The right grip has a matching serial number.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color trigger and hammer.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is minor freckled surface corrosion toward the muzzle. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows intermittent oxidation. There is a thin turn line on the cylinder. There are scattered handling marks. There is thinning on the leading edges. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has light side-to-side movement. The single action is crisp. The double-action trigger is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Smith & Wesson introduced the Chiefs Special in 1950 as a compact five-shot revolver built on the company’s newly developed J-frame, which was sized to chamber the more powerful .38 Special cartridge in a concealable package. Unveiled at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, the revolver received its enduring name through a vote held among attending law-enforcement officials. It remained marked as the Chiefs Special until Smith & Wesson adopted numerical model designations in 1957, after which the design became the Model 36.

This early five-screw Chiefs Special has the classic 2" pinned barrel, fixed sights, matching-numbered diamond Magna stocks, and traditional blue finish with a case-colored hammer and trigger. It retains about 85% of its original finish, with scattered handling and operational wear, intermittent oxidation, and minor freckled corrosion near the muzzle, while the bright 8/10 bore and smooth, correctly functioning action remain strong attributes. Its early configuration, matching stocks, and honest condition make it an appealing example of the revolver that established Smith & Wesson’s enduring J-frame lineage.