Some I-frame ?'s

[Green Frog]

This is terrible. I feel like a traitor to my 1911s. After reading this entire thread I realize I must have an I frame. My ten year old daughter has fired my K200 but it's a little awkward for her. Now to convince the wife the girl really needs one of these....

What's so terrible? A father has no higher calling than to make his daughter safe and self reliant. A nice small Model 30 dash whatever J-frame, or its ancestor, the .32 Hand Ejector I-frame is just the thing to teach both gun safety and the beginnings of self defense. My 20 year old niece (who probably isn't much bigger than your 10 year old) is learning on a 3" Model 30-1 from my stable and expects it to become hers in 3 months when she reaches "the big two-one."

Froggie

 

[DCWilson]

I have only one I-frame, a 32

1903 1st change if I recall??

Could be a 1903/first. If you could give us the serial number (or the first three digits), we can probably nail that down.

That looks like a semi-target revolver -- no adjustable rear sight, but a bead front sight paired up with two-screw extension stocks. Interesting gun, and appealing.

 

[Green Frog]

Could be a 1903/first. If you could give us the serial number (or the first three digits), we can probably nail that down.

That looks like a semi-target revolver -- no adjustable rear sight, but a bead front sight paired up with two-screw extension stocks. Interesting gun, and appealing.

Those are some sweet stocks. I wonder whether anyone has ever reproduced them? They would be a nice sometimes addition to my Regulation Police!

Froggie

 

[wraco]

Could be a 1903/first. If you could give us the serial number (or the first three digits), we can probably nail that down.

That looks like a semi-target revolver -- no adjustable rear sight, but a bead front sight paired up with two-screw extension stocks. Interesting gun, and appealing.

The serial number is 9854x. For some unknown reason the photo does show something on the top of the front sight but actually there isn't. It's an ordinary half moon sight.

The stocks fit the round butt grip frame exact and appear to have been on the gun since new as the bluing is perfect on the base and the backstrap of the grip frame where the stocks cover. Gives an idea of what the gun looked like at the beginning.

It's a nice gun to shoot, but have only shot S&W shorts, but is marked for S&W Long.

Rod

 

[MWK1975]

This is a really neat and informative thread. The only I frame I have is a .38 RP, got it after my grandfather died. Serial 266xx would love to know its approximate age, and any other info you gurus may be able to throw my way....
It's in somewhat "rough" shape, but it was grandpa's.
Thanks.

 

[Hondo44]

This model was introduced in 1917 and the medallions in the stocks were eliminated c. 1920, therefore with that serial number I'd have to say very early 1920's. It's not possible to find out when it was produced a request for a "Letter" from S&W for $50 will provide the date it was shipped and to which owner or retailer.

 

[MWK1975]

Many Thanks, Hondo.

 

[gordonrick]

Great info! Thanks to all who have taken time to put this together.

Here's one for the data base:
.38 S&W Terrier
SN: 582xx (all matching)
5-screw
Flat hammer spring/strain screw
Smooth trigger
Half-penny front site
Post-war checkered pre-magna stocks w/nickel medallions (number to frame)
Type one thumb latch (i.e. not flat)
4-line address (R)/Small S&W cartouche (L) (Old style "&")

Sorry, no pics yet - it's in pieces getting a good cleaning right now. Local pawn shop find. Finish isn't great, but not too bad. Side plate screws are buggered up. J-Frame screws are the same size, right?

 

[Hondo44]

Sounds like a nice one!! And great run down of the features which seem to make it the earliest Transitional; pre war/post war.

Yes, J frame side plate screws work, but don't get the current front sideplate screw; it's the current spring loaded style. And don't get the flat one that is under the Magna style grips.

Get three of the domed screws like behind the trigger guard. Make one match the length and diameter at the tip of your old front sideplate screw so the yoke hinge axis shaft doesn't bind. The top screw (or bug screw as Smith calls it) will not be found at Smith or Brownell's.

Try Poppert's parts or Chicoine.

Hope thats helpful and not too redundant,

 

[Green Frog]

Great info! Thanks to all who have taken time to put this together.

Here's one for the data base:
.38 S&W Terrier
SN: 582xx (all matching)
5-screw
Flat hammer spring/strain screw
Smooth trigger
Half-penny front site
Post-war checkered pre-magna stocks w/nickel medallions (number to frame)
Type one thumb latch (i.e. not flat)
4-line address (R)/Small S&W cartouche (L) (Old style "&")

Sorry, no pics yet - it's in pieces getting a good cleaning right now. Local pawn shop find. Finish isn't great, but not too bad. Side plate screws are buggered up. J-Frame screws are the same size, right?

Since this is sort of becoming the definitive I-frame thread, perhaps a good "exploded view" of the parts of your disassembled Terrier would be a good addition to the material already here... just a thought. That might add more to the info base here than another picture of a complete one.

BTW, Chicoine's website lists the complete set of pre-War style side plate screws at last check... don't forget what H44 said about that front one being fitted though, since you don't want it to drag on the crane when you try to open the cylinder.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[CptCurl]

To Archive this Thread

I just read this entire thread. It's too much information for my little pea brain!

Like others, I want to thank everyone kindly for sharing this valuable information. To my knowledge it's not available anywhere else.

The inclination is to save this information for future use and posterity. I saw some members fretting early on about how to properly save it. Today I have converted each page of this thread to a PDF file for that purpose. I want to share links for everybody to use. That's one small contribution I can make here.

Some I-frame _'s - Page 1.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 2.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 3.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 4.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 5.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 6.pdf

Some I-frame _'s - Page 7.pdf

Obviously, these files reflect the state of this thread as of today. Some photos are missing, etc. But this will preserve what's here. The photos attached as pop-up links suffer a bit, unfortunately, but that's life.

Download these freely. And again, thanks to all.

 

[CptCurl]

My small photographic contribution to this thread. These "I" frame revolvers are the subjects of other postings as indicated.

From this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...s-w-32-regulation-police-353824-6-barrel.html

From this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-32-regulation-police-509712-4-25-barrel.html

From this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...21100-32-hand-ejector-3rd-model-359379-a.html

You just have to love the little "I" frame revolvers. I need some more!

 

[gordonrick]

I'm not the best photographer in the world, but here is my contribution:

1951(?) .38 S&W Terrier early post-war/transition (SN: 582xx)

She's got some blemishes, but she's mine!
Inside view:

For grins, here's a 1956 Chief's Special (Pre-36) J-Frame innards for comparison. It would appear that almost every single part is slightly different - maybe the trigger would interchange, but not much else.

Side-by side with the Chief's Special (top) showing the difference in the early leaf-type and later coil-type hammer springs. If you look closely you can see the slightly longer grip length on the J-Frame, which means the stocks do not interchange with the non-improved I-Frame.

Rick

 

[Hondo44]

I just read this entire thread. It's too much information for my little pea brain!

Like others, I want to thank everyone kindly for sharing this valuable information. To my knowledge it's not available anywhere else.


Obviously, these files reflect the state of this thread as of today. Some photos are missing, etc. But this will preserve what's here. The photos attached as pop-up links suffer a bit, unfortunately, but that's life.

Download these freely. And again, thanks to all.

Cpt Curl,
Bravo and thanks for sharing your skills for the benefit of all! The only word I can think of for your I frames is sanitary! I think the photos are as good as the best on the forum.

Thanks again,

 

[Hondo44]

Side-by side with the Chief's Special (top) showing the difference in the early leaf-type and later coil-type hammer springs. If you look closely you can see the slightly longer grip length on the J-Frame, which means the stocks do not interchange with the non-improved I-Frame.

Rick

Rick, excellent comparison photos.
"....the slightly longer grip length on the J-Frame, which means the stocks do not interchange with the non-improved I-Frame."
Or with the 1st improved I frame either.

 

[cgt4570]

Here's my first year 1903 no change target 4"

This one letters as shipping to a distributor. It's the only one I've seen or heard of. It's a first year 1903 no change.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Isn't the "The 1955 Model 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight", or pre-M43 an I frame?

 

[Hondo44]

Isn't the "The 1955 Model 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight", or pre-M43 an I frame?

Hi Bob,

No, there were no airweights built on the I frame. From it's introduction it was built on the factory code JAT frame; J size, Aluminum with Target sights.

Here are a pair of I frame Kit Guns (factory code IT; I frame carbon steel Target), both Models of 1953, and from the same period as the intro of the Pre model 43. Notice the difference in length of the frame in front of the trigger guard and the cylinder length on your airweight compared to the two I frames pictured below:

 

[Green Frog]

I'm not the best photographer in the world, but here is my contribution:

She's got some blemishes, but she's mine!


Rick

Blemishes? Those are beauty marks, my man! If that Terrier ever feels unloved it's welcome to come live at my house and have lots of other "experienced" I-frames to play with!

Thanks for a great set of illustrative photos. They are extremely clear and well placed to show all of those parts that make the I- and J-frames what they are (and how they are different.) Super job, and I'll be referencing them a lot as I am sure others will.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[CptCurl]

Cpt Curl,
Bravo and thanks for sharing you skills for the benefit of all! The only word I can think of for your I frames is sanitary! I think the photos are as good as the best on the forum.

Thanks again,

Hondo44,
Thank you very much for your kind words.