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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 03-19-2017, 11:00 PM
FBN201 FBN201 is offline
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Default Model 32/Terrier SN 812XX Clarifications

Hi all - I have my father's Model 32 no dash, 812XX, and need clarification as to when it was made and if it's an "I" frame. It has three screws and a flat latch. My research indicates that the 32-1 began in 1961 around sn 88XXX and was the start of the improved "J" frame for the model 32 and the model 32 stamp began in 1957. Therefore, am I correct that mine was made in 1957 or 1958?

Thank You!

Last edited by FBN201; 03-19-2017 at 11:02 PM.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:41 AM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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Hopefully Hondo44 will see this and chime in, but what you have is what I would qualify as a late improved I frame. It has the larger grip frame (and coil mainspring, of course) but still has the smaller window in the frame limiting it to the shorter 38 S&W round rather than the 38 Spl in the Chief's Special. Sorry, but that's about all I have off the top of my head.

Froggie
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Old 03-20-2017, 08:39 AM
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DWalt DWalt is online now
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The closest dated SN I list to yours is 770xx shipping in 11/55. It's uncertain as to what the exact SN at which Terrier model numbering started. But the general assumption is that it's around 81,000, in 1958.
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Old 03-20-2017, 02:53 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FBN201 View Post
Hi all - I have my father's Model 32 no dash, 812XX, and need clarification as to when it was made and if it's an "I" frame. It has three screws and a flat latch. My research indicates that the 32-1 began in 1961 around sn 88XXX and was the start of the improved "J" frame for the model 32 and the model 32 stamp began in 1957. Therefore, am I correct that mine was made in 1957 or 1958?

Thank You!
The best guns are those handed down from father to son, no matter what they are. Congrats, you have a real 'winner'!

By virtue of it being a Model 32 pre dash # pegs it as built on the New I frame forging which began with the Model of 1953. The serial #812XX indicates it is currently the earliest Model 32 stamped Terrier in my database and from early 1958.

And you're correct, it wasn't built on the New J frame forging (there's no Improved J frame model) until Jan 1961 which is designated by the -1 stamp.

The Model 32 on the New I frame forging and New J frame forging , both introduced in 1953 have the same grip frame size, and the stocks are interchangeable. But the frame window lengths are different, the J frame still being longer.

Shoot and enjoy!
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:02 PM
FBN201 FBN201 is offline
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Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate.
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