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Reply With QuoteCan't help you with the era, but if you smooth off too much of the hammer, you might have to adjust the hammer spring because of the decreased mass, and that can be tricky, from a reliability point of view.
Just picked up a Model 36 with a 3" barrel. Everything I see on these shows either just numeric SNs or "J" prefixes. This one has a SN like a "K" frame (i.e. it is 56J9XX). Pinned barrel, old style big "&" on the "Smith & Wesson" on the frame. What era is this thing?
Also - the tip of the hammer is broken off. Considering whether to replace or just smooth it off. How hard is it to replace one? Lots of stone work and trial fitting or just a drop in or somewhere in between?
Can't help you with the era, but if you smooth off too much of the hammer, you might have to adjust the hammer spring because of the decreased mass, and that can be tricky, from a reliability point of view.
I "bobbed" the hammer on my M-36 about 10 years ago, but left about 1/4" of the narrow part of the spur, to give it a little more mass. It's a tiny hammer on the J frame.....but I didn't get any light strikes. It's completely dependable, and has never failed to fire.
S&W removes more of the hammer, when they install a 'bobbed' hammer. They actually remove quite a bit of the hammer......so I don't think it is that critical. Remember E= mc2..... the velocity is squared, compared to the mass.Bob
Welcome to the forum Randleman.
Where are you getting the serial # from ? It should be on the butt.
I am not showing anything like the serial # you are giving in the Standard Catolog of Smith&Wesson for Chief Special (pre Model 36) or Model 36.
Did you look on the frame behind the cylinder yoke to see if there was a 36 or 36-1 ect?
Will try and help with more info from you.
Regards,
FlaRon
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Welcome to the friendly forum from Arizona. Replacing the hammer isn't a 'drop in part', nor is it particularly complicated if you are handy... just some careful fitting & stoning. I wouldn't make it a first gunsmithing project though. There really isn't much that can be done to adjust the spring tension on a J frame w/ it's coil spring but swapping in a stronger one is a 5 minute job. Whether to smooth the hammer or replace it depends on whether you intend this for a conealed carry/defence gun or intend to hit targets a ways off.
"He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment & buy one" Jesus - Luke 22:36
Yep - SN on bottom of butt, says "Mod. 36" on frame behind the crane. Grips are numbered to match etc. Not exactly new to S&W's so this is why I am puzzled - everything looks "right" but never seen a 36 with this format SN.
Not new to gunsmithing, just never replaced a hammer on a S&W DA revolver - didn't know if it was a 20 min or 6 hours and a lot of cursing type job.
1957 Was the year they began stamping the model number on the frame beginning with serial # 125000.
1966 Replaced the flat thumbpiece.
1968 Delete diamond grips.
1969 Began the "j" serial prefix.
1975 Heavy barrel standard.
1982 Eliminated pinned barrel.
Maybe a special run for a distributor.
Looks like you may need to contact Smith & Wesson on this one unless one of the more knowledeable members has some more info.
Regards,
FlaRon
Last edited by FlaRon; 02-22-2012 at 06:33 PM.
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it is from the "floating J" serial number era, 1971-1972. if you are fairly handy, and have a good hammer, i would attack it. the replacement hammer may very well work fine "as installed", or, as mentioned earlier, it may need a tad of stoning. work slowly, and keep "trying it". you may enjoy it, and you will definitely appreciate it, and understand it better, for the next time!
good luck, and welcome to the forum!
To avoid the cost of a new hammer, and to avoid gunsmithing, I simply sealed the revolver with masking tape around the hammer, to avoid any chips getting inside, and had it cut off with a Dremel with diamond cut-off wheel. The hammer is made pretty hard. It works for me!Bob
Hi,I am new to this and still learning my way around.My girlfriend has a model 36 and I have some pics in my profile.It seems to be in really nice shape and shoots well.I would like to learn more about what the exact year may be and what this gun may be worth. I dont think we will ever sell but it would be nice to know what i have.Thanks for looking!!006.jpg
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