what does the dash #'s mean on my s&w???

[oldfart]

on another post i asked whether i should get a s&w, rossi, or charter arms, well i got the smith. its a model 36-1, what does the dash 1 mean? it has a pinned barrel, hammer mounted firing pin, and square butt, thanks for any help.

[dbriannelson]

The dash numbers signify engineering changes.  The "36-1" followed the basic Model 36 and is in turn followed by the "36-2."

Specifics on the changes can be found in the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson," or sometimes by searching the web.

-Don

[WIL TERRY]

I do believe the S&W M36-1 is the 3" version of the M36 2" CHIEF SPECIAL. The -1 signafies this.