• 38 S&w Ctg
• 38 S&w Special Ctg Serial Number Listing

The Smith & Wesson Model 36 (also known as the Chief's Special) 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.

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History[edit]

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 (compared to the .38 Long Colt or the .38 S&W) .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.

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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 'Chiefs Special' won.^[1][2] A 3-inch (76 mm) barreled version design went into production immediately, due to high demand. It was available in either a blued or nickel-plated finish.^[3] 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.

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 were abandoned in favor of a steel cylinder.^[3]

In 1989, Smith & Wesson introduced the LadySmith variant of the Model 36. This was available with 2 in (51 mm) or 3 in (76 mm) 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.

38 S&w Ctg

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. These entered the civilian market in 2001. In 2006, the Model 37 was dropped from Smith & Wesson's catalog.

Serial number 337 was shipped to J. Edgar Hoover and is engraved with his name.

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.

Design and features[edit]

Designed to be small and compact, the Model 36 has been produced with 2-inch (1.875 inch actual length) 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.

Users[edit]

• Japan: Shipped 5,344 Model 37s in 2003^[5]and additional 5,519 in 2005 for the National Police Agency.^[6]
• Malaysia: From 1970 to 2000, the Model 36 is standard sidearm for plainclothed detective in Royal Malaysian PoliceSpecial Branch or Criminal Investigation Division before Glock 17 adoption. It also used by RELA Corps Medium/Lower Rank Officer (permanent or volunteer) as training or self-defence weapon before the adoption of the Glock 19/26 and HK USP 9mm and is still used until today.
• Malta: It was standard issue for the Mobile Squad in the Malta Police Force until the arrival of the Glock 17 in 2007. They have since then been withdrawn from active carry, but they are still all being kept in the General Police Headquarters in Floriana.
• Norway: 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.
• South Korea: In 1974, it was used in the failed attempt to assassinate South Korean president Park Chung-hee, killing his wife Yuk Young-soo instead. Five years later, M36 Chief Special was, once again, used to assassinate Park.
• United States: For many years, the Model 36 was the standard police detective and 'plainclothes man' carry weapon for many police agencies including the NYPD. Many police officers still use it or one of its newer Smith & Wesson descendants as a 'back up' weapon to their primary duty pistol or as their 'off-duty' weapon. For several years in the mid-1970s, the Model 36 was issued to and carried as a duty weapon by administrative and command staff of the NC State Highway Patrol, but it was later replaced when all troopers were required to carry the then duty issue weapon, the S&W Model 66 .357, which was in turn later replaced with the last Smith revolver, the Model 686, before the agency switched to semi-automatics in the early 1990s.

References[edit]

1. ^Ayoob, Massad. Greatest Handguns of the World (Krause Publications, Inc., 2010) p. 208
2. ^Jinks, Roy G. History of Smith & Wesson (Beinfeld Publishing,1977), p. 225.
3. ^ ^abArmed for Personal Defense by Jerry Ahern
4. ^'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' By Jim Supica, Richard Nahas
5. ^'Department of State Letter on May 18, 2003'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
6. ^'US Department of State Letter on September 6, 2005'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.

External links[edit]

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15 is a six-shot double-actionrevolver, with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size 'K' frame. It is chambered for the .38 Specialcartridge and is fitted with a 4-inch (100 mm) barrel, though additional barrel options have been offered at various times during its production. Originally known as the 'K-38 Combat Masterpiece', it was renamed the Model 15 in 1957 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. It is a shorter barrel version of the Smith & Wesson Model 14 Target Masterpiece and essentially an adjustable-sight version of the seminal Smith & Wesson Model 10 ('Military and Police') revolver with target shooting features. The main production run of the Model 15 was from 1949 to 1999. It was discontinued for approximately a decade until 2011, when a re-tooled version was re-released under S&W's Classics Revolvers line.

History[edit]

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15^[1] is a derivative of the classic 1899 K-frame (medium frame) Military and Police .38 S&W Special (aka .38 Special) six-shot double-action revolver. The M&P underwent steady evolution throughout the 20th century and S&W spun off several variations as separate models in the post World War II years. One of these was the K-38 Target Masterpiece, which began production in 1947. The Target Masterpiece included a number of new and/or special features, including a six-inch barrel with a narrow rib to provide a level sight plane, a Patridge front sight, a micrometer click rear sight, S&W's .375” short-throw hammer, a trigger adjustment for overtravel, and improved grips.^[2] Noting the accuracy of the Target Masterpiece, a number of police departments and the FBI soon requested the same revolver with a four-inch barrel and a Baughman Quick Draw front sight. The result was the K-38 Combat Masterpiece. The major distinction between the K-38 Target Masterpiece and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece is the barrel length and the front sight.^[2]

In 1957 the K-38 Combat Masterpiece was renamed the Model 15 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. (The Military & Police and the Target Masterpiece were renamed the Model 10 and Model 14 respectively.) The model number is stamped on the frame behind the cylinder yoke, so it is visible (only) when the cylinder is open. A number of production and engineering changes have been made throughout the years, some of which are noted by a dash number suffixed to the Model number (15-1, -2, -3).

Over the years the Model 15 has been produced with several barrel lengths, with 4' (standard) and 2' (1964–1988) being the most common. In 1972 S&W released a stainless steel version as the Model 67. In 1997 the hammer and internal lockworks were modified from an on-the-hammer firing pin / internal hammer block to a floating firing pin / MIM flat hammer, and kept the hammer block that, unlike a transfer bar safety design, moves up with the trigger pull. The hammer hits a transfer bar, transferring the strike to the firing pin, while the block in a hammer block system moves down with the trigger pull, unblocking the hammer from the firing pin, allowing the hammer to strike the firing pin. These two safety systems work oppositely, but achieve the same goal of only allowing the gun to fire when the trigger is pulled all the way.

The Model 15 was a popular sidearm for law enforcement and was the standard-issue sidearm of the U.S. Air Force Police from 1962 until 1992 when it was replaced by the Beretta M9 pistol.^{[citation needed]}

Production of the Model 15 was discontinued in 1999 when Smith & Wesson was purchased and reorganized, although a couple limited run 'Heritage Series' models were released in 2001 and 2002. In 2011 Smith & Wesson re-introduced the Model 15 (15-10) under their Classics Revolvers line, newly machined, with a shrouded redesigned barrel, and a built-in trigger lock (located just above the cylinder release thumbpiece on the left side).^[2]

Specifications[edit]

38 S&w Special Ctg Serial Number Listing

• Caliber: .38 S&W Special
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel: 4” (standard configuration)
• Length overall: 9 1/8” With 4” barrel
• Weight loaded: 34 oz. With 4” barrel
• Sights: Front – 1/8” Baughman Quick Draw on plain ramp. Rear: S&W Micrometer Click Sight, adjustable for windage and elevation.
• Frame: square butt with grooved tangs
• Stocks: checked walnut service with S&W monograms
• Finish: S&W (CHROME) with sandblasting and serrations around sighting area to break up light reflections
• Trigger: S&W grooving with adjustable trigger stop
• Ammunition: .38 S&W Special, .38 S&W Special +P

Engineering and production changes timeline[edit]

As the K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15 evolved the following engineering and production changes were made:^[2]

• 1949, K-38 Combat Masterpiece introduced
• 1955, Delete upper sideplate screw
• 15, 1957 K-38 Combat Masterpiece continued as the Model 15; stamping of model number
• 15–1, 1959 Change extractor rod, right hand to left hand thread
• 15–2, 1961 Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop
• 15–2, 1964 Introduce 2” heavy barrel
• 15–3, 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
• 15–3, 1968 Delete diamond grips
• 15–4, 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder; pinned barrel eliminated
• 15–5, 1982
• 15–5, 1986 Introduction of 6” and 8-3/8” barrel
• 15–6, 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/hammer nose bushing
• 15–6, 1988 Discontinue 8-3/8” and 2” barrel
• 15–6, 1992 Discontinue 6” barrel, blue finish only
• 15–7, 1994 Synthetic grips introduced, drill and tap frame, change rear seat leaf, change extractor
• 15–7, 1995 Delete square butt
• 15–7, 1996 Begin shipments in blue plastic case
• 15–7, 1997 4” barrel only; change to MIM thumbpiece; shipped with master trigger locks; change to MIM trigger
• 15–8, 1997 Changes in frame design: cylinder stop stud eliminated; eliminate serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin and change internal lockworks
• 15–8, 1999 Model 15 discontinued in November
• 15–8, 2001 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series from the S&W Performance Center.
• 15–9, 2002 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series McGivern Models from the S&W Performance Center. 3 Models commemorating Ed McGivern's world speed records in 1934 with a revolver. All models have a Patridge front sight with Gold Bead, round butt frame with Altamount Fancy checkered service grips of that era, 6” barrel, Ed McGivern commemorative plate mounted on right side of frame, Heritage Series box.
• 15–10, 2011 Reintroduced in Classics Revolvers line, re-tooled, shrouded redesigned barrel, internal trigger lock. Discontinued in 2013.

Military and police usage[edit]

As the 'K-38 Combat Masterpiece', this revolver was first purchased in 1956 for the Strategic Air Command Elite Guard of the United States Air Force. From 1960 to 1969 the Air Force bought large numbers of Model 15–1, 15–2, and 15-3 revolvers with a 4' barrel. The only distinctive markings are 'U.S.A.F' on the left side of the frame. Originally all were blued, though some were reparkerized while in Air Force service.^[2] The Model 15 was the standard issue sidearm of the U.S. Air Force Air/Security Police from 1962 to 1992. It was issued to security personnel in other branches of the U.S. armed forces, including the Naval Security Forces.^[2]

The Air Force issued two types of .38 Special duty ammunition for the Model 15, originally the M41 .38 Special Ball (full metal jacket) cartridge, or the later-developed Caliber .38 Special, Ball, PGU-12/B High Velocity cartridge. The M41 was a low pressure cartridge rated at 13,000 psi (90 MPa), originally designed for 158 grain (10.2g) ball ammunition, but loaded with a 130 grain (8.4g) FMJ bullet. The PGU-12/B, issued only by the U.S. Air Force, had a greatly increased maximum allowable pressure rating of 20,000 psi (138 MPa), which was sufficient to propel the 130 grain (8.4g) FMJ bullet at 1,125 ft/s (343 m/s) from a 6-inch (150 mm) test barrel, and 950–1,000 ft/s (290–300 m/s) from a 4-inch (100 mm) revolver barrel.^[4]

The S&W Model 15 revolvers were replaced by the Beretta M9 pistol in 9×19mm caliber beginning in 1985, with complete turnover by the early 1990s.^[2]

In addition to military use, the Model 15 was issued by many police departments across the United States as well as various federal law enforcement agencies.^[2] In 1972 S&W produced a stainless steel version of the Model 15 which it termed the Model 67.^[2]

Users[edit]

The LAPD's Model 15 revolvers (and department issued Model 36 5-shot, 2-inch barrelled snub nose Smith & Wesson revolvers for detectives, plainclothes, undercover and other officers' off duty carry) were modified to be fired double-action only. This was accomplished by the department armorer who ground the full cock notch from the hammers. Officers were then trained to shoot combat style without ever cocking the weapons. This change was likely the result of unintended injuries and/or property damage, and of litigation against the LAPD after officers had cocked their weapons only to have them discharge inadvertently, possibly as a result of physical attacks or having been startled in the course of searching for suspects. In lawsuits, the principle of res ipsa loquitur was easily affirmed because 'an inadvertent weapon discharge is a negligent discharge'.^[2]

Overland Park Police Department (Kansas) used the revolver before going to semi-automatic Beretta 92 pistols.

See also[edit]

• The Model 10 Military & Police (cornerstone of the S&W .38 Special line of revolvers)
• The Model 14 Target Masterpiece (6' barrel predecessor to the Model 15)
• The Model 18 Combat Masterpiece (.22 caliber version of the Model 15)
• The Model 19 Combat Magnum (.357 magnum version of the model 15)
• The Model 67, the stainless steel version of the Model 15

References[edit]

1. ^'K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15', designed by Flora Mitchell Van Orden, wife of Brig. Gen. George O. Van Orden, USMC, with the attention of Tiny Helwig at the S&W head office in 1949, is the full name as it appears on the cover of the S&W owners manual
2. ^ ^abcdefghijSupica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 346–347. ISBN0-89689-293-X.
3. ^Owner’s Manual K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15 (05-01-0177 S&W No. 5101A)
4. ^Military .38 Special Ammunition, The American Rifleman (March 1982), p. 68

External links[edit]

^{[dead link]}

• S&W Model 10 Part 1 - Disassembly (video) (same process and general parts as Model 15)
• S&W Model 10 Part 2 - Reassembly (video) (same process and general parts as Model 15)