Terrier 38/32 What do I have?

JordonC2

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Hi,
I have what I believe is a Nickel Terrier Pre-War.
S#55XXX
It has a flat main spring, screw on the front strap.
Moon front sight
Diamond Magnas
When you open the crane it has a number which is not a model number or the S# it seems to be frame number?
Cylinder is stamped with matching serial #

Please help me confirm or educate me.
I would also like to know what its worth (email in profile)
Box doesn't have S# and may not be orig.

Thank you!

JordonC2
 

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I believe you have an early postwar Terrier. But still a nice find!

I'm not any kind of expert on these revolvers, but I doubt that box is correct for the gun. Hondo44 should be along soon, and he can tell you everything you could possibly want to know about this revolver.
 
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Your Terrier is from around 1950 and is the older I frame with the flat mainspring and strain screw like before the War. The main difference is it has the hammer block safety that was implemented in 1945 on the Victory models. Like Jack, I'm not familiar with the boxes in this period. But I think that box is for a later period. It's a nice looking gun and should be a great shooter.
 
Jack is correct, you have a relatively scarce .38/32 Terrier Post War Transitional 6 screw I frame. And it's a beauty with original looking finish.

So named because of it's very close similarity to the pre war model. The main differences are the post war improved sliding bar hammer safety block and the mini Magna grips, neither of which were available before WW II on the I frames.

If there's no B in front of the barrel and cyl serial #s, it was shipped new with a nickel finish.

A matching serial # stamped on the back of the right grip will confirm the grips are original.

The pair of #s in the yoke and back side of the side plate are assembly #s.

SERIAL # LOCATIONS: To confirm all parts are original, one can check for the 6 matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors thru ~1956.
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - or fore strap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt
2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud
3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight
4. Extractor star - backside
5. Cylinder - rear face
6. Right stock only - on back; stamped, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material. (except most post war target grips because individual fitting not required.)


It most likely shipped between 1948 and 1950 depending on the last three digits of the serial #.

Click on the Commentaries yellow 3 in the upper right hand corner of the title block of this post and choose the Post War I frame Evolution for more detail than you probably want.
 
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I would agree with Jim that the gun is post war due to the extractor rod tip. The large mushroom shaped extractor rod tip is found on guns up into the late 20's and then the tip is just slightly larger than the rod itself. Like your gun the tip becomes the same diameter as the rod itself after the war IIRC.

If you have photos of the box from all angles that would help. Is there an end label?
 
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That's a gorgeous Terrier. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Here's a look at a prewar .32 Hand Ejector with the extractor knob JSR III mentions, but this is a 3¼" barrel. I believe all the 2" guns, pre and postwar, had a knob similar to yours, else the rod wouldn't go through its hole in the yoke.

Is a serial number handwritten on the bottom of your box. If so, as others have said, I believe you'll find it's newer than your Terrier.
 

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I've the same thing happened to me on occasion and when I just tried now as well.

It's published now in the SCSW 4th ed. with updates on page 144. But since we can't access it on-line, I'll just paste the latest version here:

I FRAME POST WAR EVOLTION -FULL DETAILS WITH REFERENCED PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM:

The 1st photo below shows .32s only but will serve to illustrate the categories for all calibers except as noted.

Top left, reference only: Pre war .32 HE Mod 1903-5th change, #205628, mid 1914, 3 1/4", 'I' frame, factory pearl grips with gold medallions. Note the pre c. 1928 distinctive "mushroom" extractor knob.


1.TRANSITIONALS Pre war/post war: .22/32 Kit Gun and Targets, Rd Butt or Rebated Sq Butt, .32 Hand Ejector Rd Butt, .32 & .38/32 Reg. Police Rebated Sq Butt (see .38/32 R. P. Rd Butt exception below) and .38/32 Terrier Rd Butt:

(second gun on left. Reg. Police shown). Very similar to pre war I frames: except matte finish, pre war shaped hammer notched for post war hammer block safety (there was no change from long to short throw hammers on I frames), and left hand extractor rod thread (no groove behind knurling). Retained leaf mainspring, short round top RB stocks or rebated sg butt stocks with pre war flat silver or curved post war nickel medallions with sq or round cornered checkering borders, and the pre war checkering of 16 cut lines per inch (15 rows of diamonds). 'Mini' Magna stocks begin to appear on round butt frames (.32 at # 557,871, .38/32 at #62,381, both by change order 7/9/51) with post war curved nickel plated medallions and checkering replaced with 13 LPI (12 rows of diamonds*) and round cornered borders.

Round '½ penny' front sight, smooth triggers continued on non-target I frames until a long transition to grooved triggers began in the early 1950's which was completed by the introduction of the Models of 1953, (except Kit Guns use ½ round USRA 'pocket sight' and grooved triggers since 1935), with improved hammer block safety (the post war telltale feature), single line "Made In U.S.A." usually (no Marcas Registradas or address on right side frame until 1948). A small S&W logo on the left side of the frame is pretty much standard. Barrel lengths of 2", 3 1/4", 4 1/4" & 6" non-target (rare) on .32s & .38/32s (4" instead of 4 ¼" on .38/32s, and 6" targets have been observed), some with patent dates on barrel. Kit Gun .22/32s with 4" barrel only, (Target .22/32s with 6" barrel are very rare but have been reported as posted by Roy). All models continue in their respective pre war serial number ranges: which is the same for .22/32s and .32s but a separate range for .38/32s. Two inch barrels on .32s and .38s can have a unique two line roll mark on the left side of the barrel with the SMITH & WESSON line centered vertically and the caliber line centered below it. These early .22/32s and .32s still have the smaller (than .38/32) pre war cylinder diameter and frame window.

Note: J frame .22s and.32s Models .34-1&2/35-1, and 30-1/31-1 still use the separate collar but with sleeves on both sides of the collar, not just to the front.

The .38/32 does not have a separate spring retaining collar like the .22 and .32, but rather an integral spring seat (no collar) with a smaller .181" diam extractor star shaft and smaller diam extractor spring the same as the .38 Spl J frame. The center pin is also different with the spring collar at the front end of the pin with spring in front of it.

NOTE: The extractor rods for 2" barrels on I frames and .22/32 and .32 J frames are the same lengths; 1.773".
The 2" rod from a J frame 38 S&W or .38 Special, are ~1/8" longer.

532c279975c546080227de14c13625e5.jpg

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Photos by Prodigal Son


Serial numbers in 6 places including stamped backside of the right stock; 8 places including front sight and rear sight for the 22/32 Kit Guns same as on pre-war guns, use pre war target sights, and pre war style round firing pin with one proud retaining pin. A very unusual sight elevation lock screw behind the rear sight blade exists on Serial #53454X a pre war serial # shipped June 1951 is unique from any pre war Kit Guns and is apparently factory, scarce but also seen on pre war K & N frames.

.32 and .38/32 Regulation Police Models have rebated square butt stocks w/serial number stamped on front grip strap above the strain screw, except for the uncommon .38/32 4" rd butt version, examples of which have 'lettered' as RPs. The same configured .32 guns have been observed but .32 Reg. Police Models are not stamped as such on the barrel like .38/32 RP guns. Square butt 2" .38/32 Terriers have also been observed. This version of the .38/32 Reg Police only, can have the unique nickel extractor rod 1949~1950, s/n range 54475-57316 (first observed pre war 1937-1940 s/n range 50000-54474.)
DSC00804_zps9onvrmqp.jpg

38 Regulation Police
22/32 Kit Guns have grooved triggers, pre war target sights with one or two elevation screws, serial number in eight places including the front and rear sight, Pre war style round firing pin with one proud retaining pin, and round or rebated sq butt stocks.

Can have from all to some of the following pre war details: pre war thumb piece – 'double hourglass' with relief cuts under the checkered pad (but can also have Type 1 post war 'double hourglass' thumb piece similar to pre war thumb piece but without relief cuts under the checkered pad, just as on the K and N frame sizes), service (round top) stocks or 'Mini' Magna stocks (.22/32s & .32s reportedly beginning w/# 557,871; .38/32s at # 62,381, both on 7/9/51), checkering 16 cut lines per inch (15 rows of diamonds), sharp cornered border (shown), flat chrome plated brass or curved nickel plated brass medallions, pre war style large 'barrel shaped' extractor rod knob with right or left hand thread (see note #4 below).

This group includes .38/32 RP Targets (see note 2. below) and the 196 .32 Reg. Police Target 'I' frames, a 1957 release non-Model #'d with pre war sights numbered to the gun, small trigger guard and leaf mainspring (pre Improved 'I' frame), (Shown 3rd from top on right), made on left over pre war target 'I' frames. This model still has the smaller pre war cylinder diameter and frame window. Frame serial# stamped on front grip strap above the strain screw matching all other #'d parts inc. stocks and sights, 8 locations in all, (in low #657XXX range). 4" barrel, pre war/early postwar rebated rear grip strap, sq butt stocks, with post war type 16 lpi checkering, round cornered border on round top stocks with curved nickel plated brass medallions. You'll notice pre war sights supplied w/special modified pre/post war blue all steel sight adjusting tool (SAT) to fit tiny sight screws, pre war/early post war hammer, post war grooved trigger, and 3rd type post war (and post 1966 after becoming J frames) non-sculpted thumbpiece while all other I frames of the period still had the third type flat latch. Most features are inconsistent with non-target pre Model 31 guns of the 1957 period! Including the 3rd post war style straight ejector knob (left hand thread), 4 line address and no patent dates on barrel. A very convoluted transition model for sure. Brief details of these 196 guns are on page 128, 3rd edition, Standard Catalog of S&W, Supica and Nahas, pictured pg 127.

*Note, grip change progression: generally the sharp corner borders were pre and during WW II. However, on all frame sizes these show up after the war on transitional models mixed with round cornered borders and different medallions/checkering LPI in this order:

1. Sharp corner borders with pre war flat silver medallions left over from pre war.
2. Sharp corner borders with post war nickeled brass medallions
3. Round corner borders and change in LPI w/post war nickeled medallions.


2. IMPROVED I FRAME Pure post war (1st and 2nd variations):
(third gun on left 2" H.E. and top right gun 3" .32 Reg Police shown). Coil hammer spring replaces leaf spring but still short RB grip or rebated sq butt, 5 screw. Pre war parts no longer used, otherwise similar to above. The prewar/early postwar hammer style notched for sliding bar safety is still used. No patent dates on barrel, 4-line stamp with "Made In U.S.A.", "Marcas Registradas" and address on right side frame. Straight extractor (left hand thread), grooved trigger. Barrels can still be 2", 3 ¼" and 4 1/4" but 3" and 4" are known* (4" on all .22/32s and .38/32s) and 1st variations have round front sight, or later, 2nd variations have serrated ramp front sight w/barrel rib coinciding with standardized barrel lengths of 2", 3" & 4".
* The 4" barrel may reflect its end of production status: I suspect that the 4" barrels were extra .38 S&W Regulation Police barrels bored to 32 instead, since the .38 RP barrels were always 4" since their introduction in 1917. Because we also know the .38 S&W models took a big hit in sales because of the .38 Chiefs Special popularity.


The .32s begin to show up with the larger cylinder diameter and frame window of the .38/32.
Type 2 postwar single hourglass thumb piece or Type 3 non hourglass (pre flat latch) exactly like post '66 style. The 2nd style flat latch begins to make its appearance on very late models. I have not observed the 1st type flat latch as used on the Baby J frames, supplied on I frames (shown on right in second photo below), but that doesn't mean they don't exist!


'Mini' Magna stocks on round butt guns (.32 at # 557,871, .38/32 at #62,381, both by order on 7/9/51) and round top sq butt stocks on rebated grip frames with post war curved nickel plated medallions and the pre war checkering of 16 cut lines per inch (15 rows of diamonds) replaced with 13 LPI (12 rows of diamonds) and round cornered borders. Yes that differs from the SCSW by Nahas and Supica but the book conflicts with actual measurements, in fact the earliest triple locks have 17 LPI (16 rows of diamonds). Note: plastic or steel curved grip medallions are known and usually show up on the early '50s guns, due to the Korean war brass shortage.


3. MODELS OF 1953 "NEW" I FRAMES; the 'pre-models' 4 screw and 3 screw models:
(Second gun on right. 3".32 Reg. Police), serrated triggers on all models, 4 screws, coil mainspring, new larger egg shaped trigger guard, 1/8" longer round butt frame (same as the Model of 1953 J frame .38 Spl. Chiefs Special) and new, current style square butt grip frame/ stocks (1st introduced in 1952 on the 'Baby J frame'), 9/32" longer than the Baby J (I size) rd butt ( 5/32" longer than the new rd butt); 14 LPI (13 rows of diamonds); 2", 3" & 4" barrels, 6" on .22/32 Target; early post war style hammer continued on earliest 1953 models (except 22 /32 which has the new, wide target hammer), but soon changed to the new style, coarse knurled hammer; 2nd style flat latch, used on all Model 1953 'I' frames (and the Model of 1953 J frame .38 Spl Chiefs Special, and then 3rd/last style 'tall' flat latch used on 'I' & 'J' frames after c. 1958 thru c. 1966. Bright blue finishes begin to appear and eventually predominate. Three screw frame models are the same as above except the upper sideplate screw (4th screw) was eliminated beginning late 1955 (c. serial # 640980 on .32s). Early c. 1956, serial # locations gradually decreased from 6 to less locations (beginning as early as # 23000 range on 22/32s) until eventually just on butt of grip frame, back of extractor star (until c. 1980), and back of right stock (until late '70s).

This is the first post war model change for the .22/32 models (not counting the post war new hammer block safety introduced on most all post war guns) with a separate serial number range begun at # 101; as above except new style .375" wide target hammer, micro click rear target sight, 2" or 4" Kit Guns with ribbed barrels, ramped front sight blade, but no sight base; J frame size Rd or Sq butt (Round Butt shown in second photo below on top left) and 6" Targets with ribbed barrel and Patridge front sight on a ramped base, Sq butt only. In this period .22/32s begin to show up with the larger cylinder diameter and frame window of the .38 S&W.

The Model of 1953 New I frame is introduced a new rectangular shaped firing pin tip with two proud retaining pins, at first, front for bushing and rear for firing pin. This rectangular front striking tip style firing pin can be seen with hammer cocked by looking in the hammer channel from the rear at the top of the firing pin. This rear 2nd pin crosses over the flattened rear top of, and retains the firing pin. The rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin began c. #21000 (1956) and used thru c. # 29000, at which time the two proud pins returned.

I have observed that the 'bright' blue finish began on the .22/32 in its serial # range in the early to mid 21000s (1956) and seems to coincide with the beginning of the rear retaining pin flat polishing. The Pre-1953 round tipped firing pin w/one front retaining pin, was reintroduced c. #70000 Oct. 1960 with the 22/32 J frame introduction of the Models 34 and 35.

The .22/32 Kit and Target guns transitioned to 3 screw sideplates in their 13,000 to 23,000 serial # range. In the later Model of 1953 I frame production period an optional .400" grooved target trigger was offered followed much later by the .312" grooved and smooth trigger options. After the end of the Diamond stock period c. 1968, target stocks that fit both the I and J frames, and round and square butt frames were introduced (shown in second photo).


4. 1957 MODEL NUMBERED GUNS:

Change order issued for all models to have their respective model numbers stamped in the yoke June 12, 1957. (Model 31-1, 3" bottom on right in 1st photo)

M30 = .32 HE, M31* = .32 RP up to April 1961, M32 = .38/32 Terrier, M33 = .38/32 RP up to Oct. 1960 (.32 and .38/32 I frames converted to J frames and a -1 added). *Late production could be had w/rd or sq butt after 1976 when Mod 30 ceased, until 1991 when discontinued.)

M34 = .22/32 Kit Gun, M35 = .22/32 Target up to Oct. 1960 (.22 I frames converted to J frames and a -1 added (in the 70000 serial # range).

I frames are the only incidents that an engineering change involved a change in frame size).
The hammer to spring strut junction changed from ball/socket to the fork/pin c. 1962. See note 10 below.


NOTES:

1) The I/J rim fire .375" target hammer was introduced with the first Model of 1953 22/32 Kit Guns and 22/32 Target models. The center fire target hammer for the I and J frames became available at some undetermined time after that. In the ~1957 period an optional I & J frame .400" grooved target trigger was offered followed sometime much later by a .312" grooved target trigger. Both deleted by c. 1984 when the .312" smooth combat trigger became standard on all models.

2) I & J GRIP FRAME SIZES:
Frame size cannot be determined by grip frame size: Pre 1953 I and J frames both have the same size grip frames while post 1953 I and J frames both have larger grip frames of the same size.

Rather than I & J size which is confusing, it's best to think of the grip sizes as pre or post Model of 1953.

All pre Models of 1953 Transitional I (leaf mainspring), Improved I frames, and J frames (Baby J Chiefs) (both have coil springs) have the pre war I frame grip size.

All Models of 1953 "New" I and "New" J frames have a 1/8" longer NEW frame forging rd butt size or the new sq butt grip, an additional 5/32" longer than the new round butt.

The Models of 1953 New I and New J frame square butt grip frame is 9/32" longer than the pre Models 1953 I & J frame round butt grip, and 5/32" longer than the Models of 1953 New I & New J frame round butt grip.

Or another way to say it:

Transitional I frame with leaf mainspring: short pre war I frame round butt grip.

Improved I and original Baby J frame, both with coil spring: short pre war I frame round butt grip.

Models of 1953 NEW I and NEW J frames: both have same size 1/8" longer grip frames and larger trigger guards.

Post 1961 former New I frame .22/32, .32 & .38/32 J frames: no change in grip lengths.

3) The post war I frames were changed to left hand threads on straight extractor rods soon after the commencement of production following WW II. Therefore their spawn, the 1950 introduced J frame Chiefs Special, began life with left hand threads on straight extractor rods.

Just for the record however, and not pertaining to J frames; I must acknowledge that early post war I frames were produced with right hand threads and these are identifiable by the pre war 'barrel' style extractor rod knob,
BUT: a very scarce few 'late', early post war I frames with the "barrel" knob have been observed with left hand threads! This finding supports the fact that, pre war style Lerks used post war are not all old pre war inventory. But rather newly made old style parts to facilitate use of pre war inventory notched barrels, being of a high enough value to make a special component part to accommodate their use. The LH thread being the 'tip off' . Again this is irrelevant to J frames.
To summarize: on the post war I and J frames; all straight extractor rods are left hand thread, but on the I frames not every "barrel" type extractor rod is right hand thread! As usual with Smiths, the I frame extractor rod changes were subject to a transition period of a couple of years.

4) Post war .38 S&W Target models observed with 4" & 6" barrels; extremely rare (SCSW 3rd, pg 148).

5) All fixed sight I models have smooth triggers before the war which continued on the earliest post war transitional but were changed to grooved during the pre war/post war models and preceding the Improved Model.

6) The front trigger guard screw was eliminated when this model received the egg shaped trigger guard change, referred to as the Model of 1953 which also included the change to the J frame length grip on the I and J frame (38 Spl). Suffice it to say that there are no 5 screw Models of 1953, notwithstanding an Airweight J frame with a lock screw on the upper sideplate screw.

7) Before the Models of 1953, I and J frames had rounder trigger guards with the front (5th) screw and I frame length (short) grip frames and were all '5 screw models'. After c. 1953, the I and J frames were all '4 screw models' both had egg shaped trigger guards and J frame length grips. After Oct. 1960, 22/32 I frames and 1961 for .32 and .38 I frames, all were changed to J frames and a -1 was added to the model number.
These are only my observations and I appreciate anyone else's observations to add to the data base.

8) Pre models:
A Pre-Model is any 'named' model that immediately precedes when the company began the model 'number' stamping system, and incorporates all of the same design changes of their model numbered counterparts.

The explicit "Pre-Model" collector term used in the context of S&W collecting should not be confused with the generic meaning of pre model which is a common misuse of the term.

9) Checkering LPI: Use a thread gauge to count

PW transitional I frames with pre war sharp corner borders and .22/32 HF Targets (I frame) pre and post 1920s inc. Kit Guns 16 LPI (15 rows of diamonds) and

Early post war I frames with round top and round corner borders 13 LPI (12 rows of diamonds).

Model of 1953 Kit Guns 14 LPI (13 rows of diamonds).

Triple Locks 17 LPI (16 rows of diamonds).

10) The hammer to spring strut junction was changed from ball/socket to the fork/pin in c. 1962 ~ #295,000 Chiefs Spl. thru 1997-8 when the firing pin was removed from the hammer nose and mounted in the frame; Kit Gun rim fire hammers thru discontinuance in 1991.
Ball/socket 'mainspring rod':

Early forked 'Mainspring stirrup' was a round rod. Later flat rod is just called a 'stirrup' in 1977 parts list (shown w/o spring & retainer):
1087960.JPG


More pics attached to this thread:
The hammer to spring rod junction changed from ball/socket to the stirrup/pin c. 1962.

11) COMMENT ON PRODUCED VS. SHIPPING DATES:
When guns were produced cannot be verified from the records, only detective work and the above about the guns features and evolutionary changes can help get us close.

The shipping date of course can be verified from the shipping records by requesting a letter from S&W and the information is very helpful in verifying the originality of the gun and some provenance as to where it was shipped and when. Confirmed shipping dates in the database of same model guns with near serial numbers to yours can give you a possible shipping period.

The disparity between when Smiths were produced and when they were shipped/sold has many reasons but was mainly influenced by market demand and what order completed guns went into the inventory safe versus what order they came out (usually reverse order).

However, I also find it very enlightening, to try and determine when a gun was actually produced in the evolution of Smith revolvers. The number of screws, roll marking placements and styles, thumbpiece and extractor rod styles, details of the stocks and medallion monograms, etc., all play a role in this detective work and add to the interest of each new find. Production periods can align more with serial numerical sequence, but not always and it's far from being a hard and fast rule!

12) Pre war cylinder hand actuated hammer block. Some very early Transitional Pre war/post war guns may still have this safety. Introduced in the .32 HE 3rd Model, 1917, therefore .38 S&W was introduced with it. 22/32 Kit Gun and Targets never had it. Nor did Ladysmiths or Perfected models.

Pre war Terrier cyl hand cam actuated pre war safety:

Post #9 in this thread: Another "What did I Buy?" question

13) Dingbats: these are marks similar to an iron cross at the beginning and end of some roll marks on the barrel and are the particular type of "typographical ornamentation" S&W chose to use as a "foot". They were used as a guide, referred to as "feet", back in the day to begin and end the barrel roll marking and keep the stamping alignment straight.

Seen on early pre WW I guns, they disappear during the 1920s on most models. The little M frame .22 has them on both ends of the cartridge roll stamp, I frames had them on both barrel roll marks, .44 Triple locks and other models have them atop the barrel at the ends of the address and patent dates, etc.

They made a limited post war appearance on a few models and the latest gun I own, with them on the cartridge roll mark, is my Mod 41 from 1971, it has dingbats on the caliber line.

The different styles are shown in this thread up to as late as 1973:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...480-smith-wesson-ding-bats.html#post138350388

See this photo in post #4 here: 32 LONG CTG HELP ID.

IRON CROSS like dingbats: read about here: http://thinkdesignblog.com/typography-46-cool-useful-dingbat-fonts.htm



POST WAR .32 HAND EJECTOR/REGULATION POLICE MODEL example of each of the post war evolutionary models with evolutionary changes briefly described.

LEFT SIDE TOP: (REFERNCE ONLY) Model 1903 (2nd Model)-5th Change, .32 HE pre-war I frame , 3 ¼" produced Oct. 16, 1913.

LEFT, starting 2ND from TOP:

.32 Regulation Police Transitional Post war I Frame, rebated sq butt, with leaf spring, Rd sight, 3 ¼", 6 screw, 'double pinch' thumb piece, c. 1949;

.32 HE Pure post war 1ST VARIATION-Improved I Frame w/coil spring, rd butt, rd sight, 2", 5 screw, 'single pinch' thumb piece, c. late 1951, steel stock medallions, bottom. This version of the I frame has the same features as the early round sight Baby J/Chiefs.


RIGHT SIDE TOP:

.32 HE 2ND VARIATION-Improved I w/ramp sight & barrel rib, rd butt, (became the Model 30 which ended with the 30-1 in 1976), 3", 5 screw, 2nd style flat latch shipped late 1952, top;

.32 R.P. Model of 1953 New I frame sq butt, (the true Pre Model 31), 3", 4 screw, 2nd style flat latch, c. 1954, next;

.32 R.P. Target Transitional I frame, rebated sq butt, 4", 6 screw, 4th (final type) thumb piece, one of the 196 anachronisms from 1957 only, next;

.32 R.P. J frame sq butt, Model 31-1 (which ended with the Mod 31-3 in 1991), 3", 3 screw, 1980, bottom.

orig.jpg




I & J FRAME KIT GUNS AND CHIEFS SPECIALS

LEFT SIDE .22/32 KIT GUNS:

1st 4" Kit Gun Model of 1953 New I frame (Pre Mod 34), 4 screw, 3rd (last) style FL, large Rd butt grip frame and trigger guard, 1955,
2nd 4" Kit Gun Model 34 (pre dash #) New Model I frame, 3 screw, large sq butt, modified factory Target Stocks, ~1962,
3rd 2" Kit Gun Model 34-1 J frame, large sq butt, 1969,
4th 4" Kit Gun Model 34-2 J frame, large sq butt, modified factory Target stocks, Aug1989, and unmodified Targets beside it,
NOTE: compare length of frame in front of the trigger guards and the cylinder lengths of the New I frames (1st and 2nd) to the J frames (3rd and 4th).

RIGHT SIDE; LADYSMITH (for reference only) & .38 CHIEFS SPECIALS:

Ladysmith 3rd Model, .22 S&W Long, 7 shot M frame, 3", C. 1912,
.38 Spl 2" Baby J frame, pre-Model of 1953, 1st style Flat Latch, small trigger guard & short rd butt grip frame,
.38 Spl 3" Model 36 (pre dash #) slim barrel, J frame, large trigger guard & sq butt, 1970,
.38 Spl 2" Model 36 (pre dash #) J frame, sq butt, 1971.

orig.jpg
 
I believe all the 2" guns, pre and postwar, had a knob similar to yours, else the rod wouldn't go through its hole in the yoke.

Is a serial number handwritten on the bottom of your box. If so, as others have said, I believe you'll find it's newer than your Terrier.

You are correct the straight knurled tip extractor rod and no knob was introduced first on both of the 2" pre war K frame in 1933 and pre war 38 I frame in 1936.

It provides the longest stroke with the short little rod on 2" snubbies.
 
I would also like to know what its worth

It's worth keeping.
I would keep it in the coffee table and pull it out when Lucas McCain needs help catching bad guys.:)
 

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