38/32 Terrier

[HeloMt]

Thank you Hondo44! I appreciate your knowledge on this subject. That helps a bunch. I was thinking that it might be something along those lines...the company merely using what was on hand to get guns out the door and improve the bottom line. It's a neat little gun and RP grip style actually gives me a little more to hang to. I think it will be more comfortable for me to shoot than a round butt. Again, thanks!

 

[Green Frog]

Hey Hondo44, do you remember anything about the Post Office special order I mentioned above, or was it a figment of my fevered Froggie brain?

 

[scha]

The "Post Office Model" is discussed on page 142 of the Neal & Jinks book covering S&W revolvers 1857-1945. Serial number range shown is 47,440 to 48,127. delivered in 1938. The front tang had special markings. Hope this helps.

 

[Hondo44]

Hey Hondo44, do you remember anything about the Post Office special order I mentioned above, or was it a figment of my fevered Froggie brain?

Nothing wrong w/your imagination. 500 .38/32 RPs, 2" barrel steel plate on bottom of grip butt for P.O., marked R.M.S. P.O. DEPT on backstrap. Shipped 1938 in serial range # 47440 - 48127. SCSW, 3rd ed, pg 148. Our OP's in this thread could be an "over run" gun.

 

[HeloMt]

Thanks again Hondo44! I like the idea of an overrun of the Post Office order versus a parts bin clean out. Makes me happier...regardless if it's factual or not.

 

[Green Frog]

"Buy the gun, not the story" Enjoy the story, true or not, while you are shooting the gun and while showing it off to your friends. You can always qualify your tale with "I've been told that some of these in this configuration were made before WW 2 for the Post Office. Now I can't prove this is one of these, but..."

Regardless, you have an interesting and unusual variation of the I frame. Congratulations.

Froggie

 

[RKmesa]

I'm not sure how it left the factory, but it looks an awful lot like my little pre war Terrier, except the butt and grip difference. And I would pick it up and bring it home with me if I ever stumbled across it.

Thanks again for sharing,

 

[HeloMt]

Richard, that is a beautiful Terrier, with the box no less! Thank you for sharing. Too bad something like these aren't made today...such a handy size, they make a J frame look big.

 

[Toyman]

In regard to the PO purchase S&W was being being beaten by Colt selling the Bankers Special for purchases for Railway Post Office. Colt sold about 15,000 Bankers Specials in 38 S&W to PO prior to WW 2. After the war Colt discontinued the Bankers Special so S&W got the contract to provide a small revolver in 38 S&W, the Terrier.

 

[HeloMt]

So thought I'd share what the factory letter brought to light. It shipped as a .38 Terrier, pre- WWII variation. It shipped with 2 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered square butt grips. So it is a square butt Terrier by factory letter and invoice. Another neat thing is that it shipped to the the City of Dickinson, North Dakota, C.L. Drury, September 4, 1940. Mr Drury was Chief of Police for Dickinson from 1937 to 1942! So, I stumbled into another LEO revolver. I'm more than happy!

 

[Smith-19]

Terrier

Just picked up the same terrier! Awesome little gun, going to get mine lettered as well. Thanks for all the info posted here on this unique piece.

 

[lihpster]

Just picked up the same terrier! Awesome little gun, going to get mine lettered as well. Thanks for all the info posted here on this unique piece.

Welcome to the forum! Nice pistola. Why don't you head on over to the new members subforum and post something about yourself there.

 

[HeloMt]

Smith 19,
That's a very nice Terrier! Condition looks wonderful. Congrats on your find and let us know what the letter says. Welcome to the club.