**Scarce Smith & Wesson Chief's Special Airweight Pre-Model 37 with Alloy Cylinder in Box

.38 Special. 2" barrel length. SN: 27359. Black anodized finish to frame and aluminum cylinder with blued small parts, color case hardened hammer and trigger, and mounting checkered walnut Smith & Wesson medallion grips. Double action hand ejector five-shot revolver with topstrap notch and matted front ramp sights on a round butt frame. Item features an aluminum alloy cylinder, four screw frame, pinned barrel, and a flat cylinder latch. Standard make and model markings include Smith & Wesson four-line address to the right frame and Smith & Wesson monogram trademark to left. Right barrel shows AIRWEIGHT/38 SPECIAL CTG. with the left displaying SMITH & WESSON marking. Serial numbers match. Comes in a red cardboard box with Smith & Wesson end label showing the standard Chiefs Special marking with AIRWEIGHT stamp. Owner's manual included in the box.

It is estimated that 3,777 examples of the "Pre-Model 37" were manufactured with an alloy cylinder with reported serial numbers ranging up to 44577. The majority of these were produced in the round-butt configuration. While the use of aluminum alloy permitted the revolver to weigh in at a mere 10 3/4 ounces, these cylinders were known to develop cracks during use, and resulted in Smith & Wesson reverting to a steel cylinder on further production.

WARNING: Aluminum cylinder variants are unsafe to fire with full power ammunition and should not be fired.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.