Here's a photo of an actual "Saturday Night Special". It's not mine. Just a photo I found online.
Smith and Wesson officially called these "Chief's Specials". It's a Model 36 in the small J frame double action .38 Special body with 5 shots and usually a 2-inch barrel. But some 3-inch barrel variants were also made. This one is nickle plated which was highly desired because it didn't leave marks on clothing. The cheaper gun metal version was likely more common. This pistol was specially made for concealment. It was used extensively by police, criminals and others that just needed protection when they went out for a night on the town. Thus the nickname, "Saturday Night Special".
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