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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 03-28-2017, 06:56 PM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is offline
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Default Need ID help with older 38 S&W snubby

Here's what I have
Hand ejector
Sn 69916 on grip frame, grips, cylinder and barrel
38 S&W CTG
5 screw
Supposedly been sitting in a shoe box for a long while
Tight as a tick
Very little blue wear
Couple of tiny rust specs that I think will clean up easy
Grips show a few nicks but pretty decent
Hope pictures look ok
Like to know app ship date and estimated value
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File Type: jpg IMG_1638.jpg (97.1 KB, 124 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1639.jpg (45.4 KB, 90 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1651.jpg (54.2 KB, 89 views)
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Old 03-28-2017, 07:24 PM
texmex texmex is offline
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If it doesn't have a model number on the frame under the crane (the part the cylinder swings out on), it was made before 1957. This appears to be a Terrier. After model numbers started being used in 1956, it became the Model 32. As indicated on the barrel, it is chambered for the 38 Smith & Wesson cartridge NOT 38 Special/38 Smith & Wesson Special/38 S&W Special. Basically, it is a frame that was originally designed to be a six shot 32, which has been manufactured as a 5 shot 38. It does have some collector value and appears to be in good condition. 38 S&W ammunition is available but if you ask for it in a store, make sure they understand you want 38 S&W not 38 Special. This cartridge was also called the 38 Colt New Police but no ammo with those makings has been manufactured for quite a while. I’m sure others will be able to give a closer estimate of the year of manufacture from the serial number and other features. It is a neat little gun from a bygone era.

Last edited by texmex; 03-28-2017 at 07:26 PM.
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Old 03-28-2017, 07:31 PM
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...four line address makes it after mid 1948...five screw makes it before 1957...
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Old 03-28-2017, 07:43 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
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While I can offer you no information on your gun, I will say that it reminds of every old detective movie I ever saw, where there was rain, fog, a beautiful dame and a "Dick" with a gun just like that.
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Old 03-28-2017, 08:09 PM
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Hi
This is a fairly early postwar Terrier. It still has five frame screws and the serial number is on the low side for the postwar period. Those started at 54474.

Based on the type of cylinder release and the style of stocks, compared to the serial number, I suspect this gun left the factory in late 1951, possibly early 1952. It doesn't appear to have a strain screw, so it must have the coil main spring. I don't recall when that change was made.

I hope Hondo44 will be along to correct all our speculations. He is the expert on I frames.
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Old 03-28-2017, 08:29 PM
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And just to correct the record, the decision by management to use model numbers was made in the summer of 1957. However, model marked guns did not start shipping until 1958 (based on all currently known information).
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Old 03-28-2017, 08:43 PM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
Hi
This is a fairly early postwar Terrier. It still has five frame screws and the serial number is on the low side for the postwar period. Those started at 54474.

Based on the type of cylinder release and the style of stocks, compared to the serial number, I suspect this gun left the factory in late 1951, possibly early 1952. It doesn't appear to have a strain screw, so it must have the coil main spring. I don't recall when that change was made.

I hope Hondo44 will be along to correct all our speculations. He is the expert on I frames.
you are correct about having coil spring
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Old 03-28-2017, 09:53 PM
raljr1 raljr1 is offline
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We like Terriers.....Nice....
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Old 03-28-2017, 10:44 PM
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Eddietruett,

You have a little sweetheart and a very desirable model, especially in such extremely nice condition; far better than 95% of those out there. Barely a discernible 'cyl stop track'. I'd polish the cyl stop before cycling it even one more time.

It's officially a ".38/32 Terrier" Model. Also known as and built on the Improved I frame (the improvement being the replacement of the old flat leaf spring of the pre war and post war Transitional I frames, with a coil spring). The square butt version is the .38/32 Regulation Police Model.

Its rd butt I frame stocks are interchangeable with the Baby J frame stocks; both models of which were replaced with the Model of 1953 New I and New J frame.

Post 1953 NEW I frame, on left, post 1953 NEW J frame, on right; with same 1/8” longer grip frame, larger trigger guard, and 2nd style flat latch:



By its SN 69916 yours most likely shipped in or close to 4/53:

#58832 being the Lowest and earliest coil spring Terrier from ~mid 1951, and just a bit later than yours; #70XXX is the Highest known Imp, with rd sight.

Then the 2nd variety gained a ramp front and barrel before it evolved into the New 4 screw I frame Model of 1953 (pre model 32); both varieties of which still shipped well past its introduction.
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Old 03-29-2017, 07:22 AM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is offline
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Thanks for all of the great info. Would anyone care to guess the current value?
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Old 03-29-2017, 09:11 AM
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Thanks, Jim. You never let us down!

Glad to get an approximate date on this one. My date, though reasonable, was early. But I remembered from your notes that Terrier #623xx had this style stocks and was ordered in July, 1951. And I was pretty sure the coil spring was in place by that time. I'm learning!
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