S&W 12-3 38SPL 4" BARREL FIXED SIGHTS SQUARE BUTT BLUED
Comes with Checkered Wood Grips, may show signs of wear and handling wear
Blued Finish, may show signs of wear, handling
SOLD AS-IS
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.
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.
