Smith & Wesson Model 36
| Smith & Wesson Model 36 | |
|---|---|
 Smith & Wesson Model 36 Revolver |
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| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950–present |
| Used by | various law enforcement, security personnel, and private citizens |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $751.00 MSRP[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 19.5 oz. with 1.875" barrel, 21.4 oz. with 3" barrel[1] |
| Length | 6.9375" with 1.875" barrel, 7.5" with 3" barrel[1] |
| Barrel length | 1.875", 3" |
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| Caliber | .38 Special |
| Action | Double Action |
| Effective range | 23 meters |
| Maximum range | 46 meters |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Fixed rear, front blade |
The Smith & Wesson Model 36 is a revolver chambered for .38 Special. It is one of several models of "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers. It was introduced in 1950, and is still in production.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Model 36 was designed in the era just after World War II, when Smith & Wesson stopped producing war materials and resumed normal production. For the Model 36, they sought to design a weapon that could fire the more powerful .38 Special round in a small, concealable package. Since the older I-frame was not able to handle this load, a new frame was designed, which became the Smith & Wesson J-frame.
The new design was introduced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in 1950, and was favorably received. A vote was held to name the new revolver, and the name "Chief's Special" won. A three inch barreled version of this design went into production immediately, due to high demand. It was available in either a blued or nickel plated finish.[2] It was produced as the "Chief's Special" until 1957, when it then became the Model 36. The "Chief's Special" continued to be manufactured as a separate variant.
In 1951, Smith & Wesson introduced the Airweight Model 37, which was basically the Model 36 design with an aluminum frame and cylinder. The aluminum cylinders proved to be problematic, and was abandoned in favor of a steel cylinder.[3]
In 1989, Smith & Wesson introduced the LadySmith variant of the Model 36. This was available with a 2 inch or 3 inch barrel and blued finish. This model also featured special grips designed specifically for women, and had "LADYSMITH" engraved on the frame.[4]
Approximately 615 Model 36-6 Target variations were produced. This variant had a 3 inch full lug barrel with adjustable sights and a blued glass finish.
In 2002, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 36 with gold features (hammer, thumbpiece, extractor, and trigger), calling it the "Model 36 Gold". The gold color was actually titanium nitride.
In 2005, Smith & Wesson produced the "Texas Hold 'Em" variant. This was produced with a blued finish, imitation ivory grips, and 24k gold plate engraving.
A large number of Model 37 variants with a lanyard ring attached were made for Japan. Part of this contract was cancelled, resulting in a large number of these being sold to a wholesaler, who then re-sold them for civilian use. These entered the civilian market in 2001.
In 2006, the Model 37 was dropped from Smith & Wesson's catalog.
[edit] Design and Features
Designed to be small and compact, the Model 36 and 37 were available with a 2 inch or 3 inch barrel.
Like nearly all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a 5-round capacity in a swing-out cylinder, and features an exposed hammer. It features a nickel-plated or blued finish and either wood or rubber grips.
[edit] Use
For many years, the Model 36 was the standard police detective and "plainsclothes man" carry weapon for many police agencies including the NYPD. Many police officers still use it or one of its newer Smith and Wesson descendants as a "back up" weapon to their primary duty pistol or as their "off-duty" weapon.
Although never a standard service gun in Norway, it is kept in the Norwegian Police Service inventory as a pure self-defensive option for off-duty officers, who meet certain criteria.
Serial number 337 was shipped to J. Edgar Hoover and is engraved with his name.
Serial number 38185 belonged to Jack Webb of the T.V. series Dragnet. This has a nickel finish and rosewood grips. In 2000, it was sold at auction for $6,000.[5]
[edit] In Popular Culture
This revolver was the sidearm carried by the fictional NYPD Homicide Detectives Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan in the Law & Order television series as well as Andy Sipowicz in "NYPD Blue". It was also carried by the fictional private detective Peter Gunn, who was portrayed by the actor Craig Stevens in the popular "cutting edge" television private detective series Peter Gunn which was originally broadcast in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Ryuu in Future Police Urashiman used a broken Chief's Special that he found in an abandoned building and various futuristic parts to build his own laser gun, dubbed "Magna Blaster".
Kohta Hirano, from the popular anime and manga Highschool of The Dead used this revolver once. Firing two shots while swinging it in a diagonal arc. Both shots hit their intended targets, zombies, in their foreheads.
Gina Montana in Scarface was seen wielding the revolver when confronting her brother Tony in his office, shooting him in the leg.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
