This little Terrier showed up the other day. Serial # is 66xxx
Steve

I like it! Nice gun!

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SWCA 2082

Well, that's certainly nice!

About 1951-52, I would guess. And "guess" is the operative word, because there are some peculiarities about the resumption of I-frame production after WWII. Major output did not get going until about 1951, but a few specimens are known from 1949-50. The actual model seems to have something to do with it.

This one does not seem to have a strain screw, so it is built on the improved I frame.

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David Wilson

Love it. I still want one of these little guys.

I'm getting a hankerin' for one a deez...

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SV,14,17,21,28,29,39,66,586

Mine is 55xxx; I think the Terrier is the cutest of all Smiths.

Very nice looking gun! I think Terrier's are neat guns and quite pleasant to shoot. The seem to one of those S&W models like the 58 that were not terribly popular when available but have reached an almost cult status with a corresponding increase in price. I have wondered who the target audience was for the Terrier and I am sure that audience diminished rapidly with the advent and popularity of the Chief's Special. Here is a photo of one I own, almost a twin.

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John. SWCA #1586

I think you nailed it when you said the popularity of the Chief's Special probably hurt the Terrier... in fact, the confusion over ".38 S&W" vs ".38 S&W Special" was probably all that kept it alive as long as it was. I love my little .32 HE snubbie in a leaf spring I-frame and would like to have the same gun in a 5 shot .38 S&W just to complete the circle, but when it comes right down to it, my go-to CCW has come to be my Baby Chief. That's as small as it gets with real .38 Spl authority.

Froggie

man, that is a beauty! i would agree on the 51/52 estimate. i love these little guys! there are several configurations of post war features in these immediate post war guns, as things were changing very quickly at s&w. i think it is an extremely interesting little collector's nook. i still don't have a nice one in your configuration, but am steadily looking! here is a 55XXX serial number one, with the leaf spring and small service grips.

Love the small service grips. Gorgeous early post war. Thanks for sharing
Steve

Very Nice indeed.
Especially like the early half penny front site models.
(Top) "Baby Chief" in .38 special, (Bottom) Post war .38 S&W "Terrier".

Beautiful! I want one like that.

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S&W Accumulator

Changing very quickly, by January of 1953 they looked like this and numbered up to 71983, with a ramp, later thumb latch and coil spring.

Got out to the range today with the Terrier... I only own two pistols that are unfired... This is not one of them... I managed just under a three inch 5 shot group at 25yds rested. It seems to like the Geo. Hensley 55 , over 2 grains of Red Dot.
The Hensley is a 30's vintage mold Pre H&G, drops 20-1 boolits at 150grns.
Steve

Fine looking Terrier! My favorite small frame snubs. They look just
right, and feel better in the hand, to me, than the J-frames.
That's probably all in my head. Mine is the later version with
the ramp front-sight. Lobo's J-frame holsters are a sweet fit, too.
Shown with pre-30, its S/N is 70.1xx, with ramp front sight. TACC1

Attached Images

improved i-frame 002.jpg (70.5 KB, 20 views)