Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 37 The .38 Chiefs Special Airweight

Serial Number: J276034

Year of Manufacture: 1975-1976 / Modern

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single and Double Action 5-Shot Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 3" Pinned

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut magna stocks with S&W medallions. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. There is no notable handling wear. Overall the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued with Alloy Frame with Case Color Hammer and Trigger

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. There is a very faint turn line on the cylinder that has not gone through the finish. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double-action trigger is smooth, the single-action is crisp. The cylinder lockup produces very light play on all five chambers. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with its factory box, cleaning tools, owner's manual.

Our Assessment: Smith & Wesson's Chiefs Special Airweight emerged in the early 1950s as a lightweight development of the compact J-frame Chiefs Special, substituting an aluminum-alloy frame to reduce carry weight while retaining the five-shot .38 Special action. The 3" version appeared very early in Airweight production, and when Smith & Wesson adopted numerical model designations in 1957 the revolver became the Model 37. The 3" barrel gives the little Airweight a longer sight radius and more traditional service-revolver proportions than the familiar snub-nose version, making these longer-barreled Model 37s an interesting variation for J-frame collectors.

This Model 37 is exceptionally well preserved, retaining about 99% of its original finish with only a very faint cylinder turn line. The checkered walnut Magna stocks remain in Excellent condition, the bore rates 10/10, and the action functions correctly with a smooth double-action pull, crisp single-action release, and only very light cylinder play. Its pinned 3" barrel, outstanding condition, factory box, cleaning tools, and owner's manual make this a particularly attractive example of the classic lightweight Chiefs Special.