-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Is this a J-frame? It looks sort of old.
- Thread starter mgo
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Alk8944
US Veteran
If it is a .38 Special then it is a post WWII Military and Police since it has a 6 shot cylinder. The J Frame isn't large enough for a 6 shot cylinder in .38 caliber, only .32 cal.
Muley Gil, look closer at the cylinder.
Muley Gil, look closer at the cylinder.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,272
I think it's a RB, early postwar .38 M & P, with pre-war (1930s era) service stocks and the "speed hammer" of the late 1940-early 1950 era.
Murphy2000
Member
mgo,
Sir, that particular gun is an I frame. It was the predecessor to the J frame. It became known as the Model 32 Terrier in caliber's .32 and .38 S&W. The .38 S&W cartridge is shorter than the .38 Special. If you will look at the right side of the barrel, you will see the it say's .38 S&W CTG I believe, and not .38 Special.
Note the strain screw at the bottom of the grip frame. The J frame was introduced in 1950 and does not have that feature.
By the way, that particular gun is highly sought after in good condtion. There are others who will be along soon to inform you of the year and other features who are far more qualified than I.
Murphy2000
Sir, that particular gun is an I frame. It was the predecessor to the J frame. It became known as the Model 32 Terrier in caliber's .32 and .38 S&W. The .38 S&W cartridge is shorter than the .38 Special. If you will look at the right side of the barrel, you will see the it say's .38 S&W CTG I believe, and not .38 Special.
Note the strain screw at the bottom of the grip frame. The J frame was introduced in 1950 and does not have that feature.
By the way, that particular gun is highly sought after in good condtion. There are others who will be along soon to inform you of the year and other features who are far more qualified than I.
Murphy2000
Alan, I think you are correct, the grips shown may well have come on the gun though. S&W used both pre and post war style checkering on the post-war guns. Here are two I owned that are both post-war with grips numbered to the guns, the grips illustrate the two styles used.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,272
Much as I would like to agree with anyone named Murphy 
, have a look at this thread and the photos:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/227109-s-w-model-32-terrier.html
The one in this photo has a 6-round cylinder that almost (but not quite) fills the frame window; a .32 I frame's cylinder would have 6 chambers but would look the same length as the Terriers in the other thread, which are 5 shot. Also, only the K frames of this era have the "speed hammer".
, have a look at this thread and the photos:http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/227109-s-w-model-32-terrier.html
The one in this photo has a 6-round cylinder that almost (but not quite) fills the frame window; a .32 I frame's cylinder would have 6 chambers but would look the same length as the Terriers in the other thread, which are 5 shot. Also, only the K frames of this era have the "speed hammer".
Murphy2000
Member
mgo,
I stand corrected. I wasn't paying close enough attention to detail.
Murphy2000
P.S. murphydog, I should have paid more attention to your post. I guess we Murphy's aren't immune to our own law's huh?
I stand corrected. I wasn't paying close enough attention to detail.
Murphy2000
P.S. murphydog, I should have paid more attention to your post. I guess we Murphy's aren't immune to our own law's huh?
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Looks like a M&P to me. Can we get confirmation on the caliber?
Charlie
Charlie
OP
mgo
Member
OP
mgo
Member
Green Frog
Member
Not pick nits, but the term Terrier is only applied to the 38 S&W version of the I- and J-frames. There is an equivalent 32 S&W L snub, but it was always referred to simply as a Hand Ejector, not a Terrier. This is indeed a small point, but important, and it appears that the OP has a K-frame anyway.
Froggie
Malysh
Member
There is no way to measure scale from the pictures. Because of that even with a 6 shot cylinder we could not preclude that the gun wasn't a 6 shot Terrier. We know the 38 Special early I frame/J frames wouldn't have 6 shot cylinders.
However, the trigger guard shape and scale to the rest of the frame and the arc of the frame where the hammer is exposed is unmistakenly that of an M&P K frame.
However, the trigger guard shape and scale to the rest of the frame and the arc of the frame where the hammer is exposed is unmistakenly that of an M&P K frame.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Yes, the Terrier can be eliminated because it is a .38 S&W and has a 5 shot cylinder! Regardless if I, Improved I or J Frame the only difference in the frame window is length, not height. This frame size cannot accommodate a 6 shot cylinder in anything larger than .32 caliber.
VaRecon
Member
I learn a great deal from these more experienced collectors.
OP
mgo
Member
"mystery revolver" the saga continues
I did buy the subject revolver today, and sure enough, it is a .38 special, and yes, the finish is a little grim. (most likely due to storage in a sock drawer?)
I am posting some pictures as it is just back at the house, and in its dirty state. I will also post some pics after cleaning. (that looks like a big job ahead!)
Lockup is perfect. The action is glassy smooth. There is no push-off. I plan on a Gun Scrubber bath, and then a modern lubricant dripped into the lockwork. I will not take the sideplate off. The grips match the serial number of the gun and seem in very good condition.
Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Price paid was $250.00. After cleaning, this revolver will go into my concealed carry rotation. (what better way to show respect for this old veteran!)
I did buy the subject revolver today, and sure enough, it is a .38 special, and yes, the finish is a little grim. (most likely due to storage in a sock drawer?)
I am posting some pictures as it is just back at the house, and in its dirty state. I will also post some pics after cleaning. (that looks like a big job ahead!)
Lockup is perfect. The action is glassy smooth. There is no push-off. I plan on a Gun Scrubber bath, and then a modern lubricant dripped into the lockwork. I will not take the sideplate off. The grips match the serial number of the gun and seem in very good condition.
Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Price paid was $250.00. After cleaning, this revolver will go into my concealed carry rotation. (what better way to show respect for this old veteran!)
Attachments
Last edited:
Black_Sheep
Member
Unless early guns were different, the cylinder flute/cylinder stop relationship tells me it's an M&P. On J frames the notches are in line with the flutes, on larger 6 shot revolvers the notches are between the flutes.
Green Frog
Member
Based on the SN as well as the patent markings on the frame, it's a K-frame, Military & Police Model made in the first couple of years after WW II. Looks like your plan to put it into rotation as a CCW is the best possible use of it, short of mailing it to me, since it approaches being a birthday gun in my case! 
Froggie
Froggie
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,272
Looks like it was carried - a lot. I wonder why the checkering was taken off the cylinder latch? Sounds like a decent deal, and looking forward to the "after" photos .
.
Love to see how she cleans up... According to the SCSW that gun should date to 1948. The 1st year they started the M&P's with a C prefix.
Mike
Mike
