Smith & Wesson Model 36

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. 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. 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 (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. == 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. 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 (hammer, thumbpiece, extractor, and trigger). 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==

• : National Police Agency • : Law enforcement in the United States == 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. On October 26, 1979, a Model 36 was used in the assassination of South Korean leader Park Chung Hee. A Walther PPK was also used. ==References==