Hello All,

I'm looking for some information on what I believe to be a Model 32 Terrier. The box is marked with Model 32 ... It is chambered in 38SW and the Serial number begins with the Prefix R. I have been told that is correct for the model 32. However, the frame is marked as a Model 36. Did the foctory screw up?

Attached Images

smith3.jpg (79.8 KB, 119 views)

It's not unheard of for the factory to mis-stamp a frame, or stamp a frame for one model and then later use the frame for a similar sized revolver.
Several instances have been discussed here of guns marked Model 29 (.44 Magnum) but chambered for .41 Magnum, which is the Model 57. And vice versa.

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John

if YOU ARE SURE THAT THE GUN IS A .38 s&w CALIBER TERrIER AND WILL NOT ACCEPT .38 SPECIAL AMMO, the factory may have used the wrong-marked frame.

Are you certain that the gun is not chambered for .38 S&W SPECIAL caliber ammo?

The photo is too poor for me to read the box. The simplest answer is that someone somewhere along the way used the wrong box. Is the correct serial number from the butt of the gun marked on the box in the same style marker used by the factory? But I've seen boxes with all data marked in ballpoint pen. Anyone can fill that in.

The guns look a lot alike, especially to a clerk in a store. Many have very limited firearms knowledge, although they sell guns.

The first step is to verify whether you actually have a Model 36 that somehow got put in a Model 32 box. Sorry if that seems obvioius. I don't know you, and we get a lot of people here who are new to guns and don't even know the difference between .38 S&W regular and .38 Special ammo. I'm not trying to insult you.

I take no offense and completely understand... the gun is positively chambered in .38SW. Everything on the box is correct. Serial number, finish, grip type....all are correct. The only difference is the the model number. Oh... I forgot to mention the paperwork inside is for the Model 32 Terrier and Model 33 regulation police.

From what I can see in the photo, the cylinder release is wrong for a Terrier and the grips are Magnas and also appear wrong.

Edit to add _ Terriers did not have ramp sights either.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

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Support your Police, & NRA

Welcome to the forum.

In a word, Yes. What you have is actually a 32-1 (Terrier). The R prefix was assigned in 1969 to comply with the requirements of the GCA of 1968, long after the 32-1 was released. The Model 36 never used the R prefix, they had a J prefix and were .38 Special only.

Mine is correctly marked "MOD 32-1" and is serial number R50515, which is fairly close to yours!




Ps. It's easy to make a mistake, even at a foctory!

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"I also cook."

The early postwar Terriers are as you describe - flat latch, tapered barrel, rounded front sight, service stocks. The "newer" ones closely resemble model 36s. At least one assembler at the factory thought so anyway .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Miss-marked guns are not all that unusual, since the frames are actually identical. I once inspected a Mod. 14-3 (single action only) that was clearly marked Mod 16 and lightly over-stamped Mod 14-3. One I regret not buying.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I vote mis-stamped at the factory. I have a Model 32-1, s/n R442xx, as new in box that looks just like s&wchad's photo above. Like the original poster's, the instruction sheet is marked for both the "Model 32 Terrier" and "32 Regulation Police". Paste-on white end label has no name, just "32-1" written in the model space. By then, a lot of models were being packaged in boxes printed without model name and such on one end, just having the stick-on label on the other end.

You're right. I checked the book and I was thinking the wrong generation.

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Support your Police, & NRA

Thank you so much guys... you've all been a great help!