Smith & Wesson Model 36
The Smith & Wesson Model 36 is a revolver chambered for .38 Special. It is one of several models of J-frame revolvers. It was introduced in 1950, and is still in production in the classic blued Model 36 and the stainless steel Model 60.
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 revolver 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 J-frame.
The new design was introduced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in 1950, and was favorably received. A vote was held to name the new revolver, and the name "Chiefs Special" won.
A barreled version design went into production immediately, due to high demand. It was available in either a blued or nickel-plated finish.
It was produced as the "Chiefs Special" until 1957, when it then became the Model 36. The "Chiefs Special" continued to be manufactured as a separate variant.
Serial number 337 was shipped to J. Edgar Hoover and is engraved with his name.
Design
Designed to be small and compact, the Model 36 has been produced with 2-inch or 3-inch barrels with fixed sights.A version with an adjustable rear sight, the Model 50 Chief's Special Target, was also produced in limited numbers with both 2-inch and 3-inch barrels.
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.
Variants
Airweight Model 37
In 1951, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 37, which was basically the Model 36 design with an aluminum frame and cylinder.The aluminum cylinders proved to be problematic and were abandoned in favor of a steel cylinder.
Many Model 37 variants with a lanyard ring attached were made for Japan. Part of this contract was cancelled, resulting in many of these being sold to a wholesaler, who then re-sold them for civilian use in 2001.
In 2006, the Model 37 was dropped from Smith & Wesson's catalog.
LadySmith
In 1989, Smith & Wesson introduced the LadySmith variant of the Model 36.This was available with or barrel and blued finish.
This model also featured special grips designed specifically for women, and had "LADYSMITH" engraved on the frame.
Model 36-6 Target
This variant had a 3-inch full lug barrel with adjustable sights and a blued glass finish. Approximately 615 Model 36-6 Target variations were produced.Model 36 Gold
In 2002, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 36 with gold features. The gold color was actually titanium nitride.Texas Hold 'Em
Introduced in 2005, it was produced with a blued finish, imitation ivory grips, and 24k gold plate engraving.Spanish Astra copies
In 1958, Spanish manufacturer Astra developed a high quality revolver line based on this weapon, under the name of Astra Cadix, Astra 250 and Astra NC6.Engineering and production changes
| Model | Year | Modifications |
| 1957 | Before 1957 produced as the Chief Special | |
| 36 | 1957 | Stamping of model serial number at 125000 |
| 36 | 1962 | Internal hammer alteration at serial 295000 to mainspring rod junction changed from ball and socket to fork and pin |
| 36 | 1966 | Thumb piece changed from 3rd style to flat latch for standard latch |
| 36-1 | 1967 | 3” heavy barrel, changed to forked mainspring strut |
| 36-1 | 1968 | Delete diamond grip |
| 36-1 | 1969 | Begin J serial number prefix at J1 |
| 36-1 | 1975 | Heavy barrel standard |
| 36-1 | 1982 | Eliminate pinned barrel |
| 36-2 | 1988 | New yoke retention system tapered barrel |
| 36-3 | 1988 | New yoke retention system heavy barrel |
| 36-4 | 1989 | Lady Smith Version 2” barrel standard |
| 36-5 | 1989 | Lady Smith Version 3” heavy barrel |
| 36-5 | 1992 | Lady Smith discontinued 3” barrel on LS; Ship w/LS soft case |
| 36-5 | 1994 | Laminate rosewood grips, change extractor |
| 36-6 | 1989 | Special production target version, 3” full lug with ribbed barrel, ramp on ramp base, wide smooth trigger |
| 36-7 | 1990 | New sight width on standard frame and barrel from 1/10” to 1/8” |
| 36-8 | 1990 | New sight width for heavy barrel frame to 1/8” |
| 36-8 | 1991 | Limited edition with full lug and target sights |
| 36-8 | 1992 | 2” and 3” HB round butt only |
| 36-8 | 1994 | Uncle Mike’s grips, change extractor |
| 36-8 | 1995-96 | Delete square butt features, 2” barrel only in production, begin shipments in foam filled blue plastic case |
| 36-9 | 1996 | J magnum frame introduced rated for.38+P with 1.6” cylinder, change to MIM hammer and trigger, change to internal lock, ship with Master trigger lock |
| 36-9 | 1997 | Change to MIM thumbpiece |
| 36-9 | 1999 | Model 36 Discontinued |
| 36-10 | 2007 | Model 36 Classic Series begins with blue, nickel and case color in 2” or 3” barrel |
| 36-11 | 2025 | Removed internal lock |
Users
Incidents
Shooter Dan White used a Model 36 Chief Special to assassinate George Moscone, the 37th Mayor of San Francisco and Harvey Milk, a member of The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.On July 17, 1974, Christine Chubbuck, a reporter for WXLT-TV, used the Smith & Wesson Model 36 to commit suicide live on air, a first in TV history.
A Model 36 was used in the assassination of South Korean leader Park Chung Hee. A Walther PPK was also used.