S&W Post-war Terrier .38 - Worth it?

YouveHadYour6

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I know this one breaks the cardinal rule as it lacks proper pics of the subject, but one of the local guys doesn't allow photos at his tables.

ON his table today however was a post-war Terrier .38 in blue with the typical 2" barrel half-moon sight on I-frame, SN 602xx which, while pretty covered in dried oil and decades old residue, looks like it *should* clean up well. It times correctly, and the bore is clear if dirty with good lands and grooves. Blue is probably about 85%+-ish

Grips are unfortunately aftermarket fake stages, so there's a deficit right there, but this would be more a shooter collector than a showpiece - however, is it - in the opinion of the Terrier experts around - worth anywhere near $550 otd, with the replacement grips?

Pic not mine and for visual ref only, as it generally resembles this example 'at a glance', incl. in terms of bluing level, albeit this one is far cleaner.
 

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Not an expert, but SCSW 5th Edition just came out. Should be an up to date value. Says $550 for VG. Think an 85% gun is in that range.

Much appreciated; I've only the 4th handy so that's good info. Nice little snub, wish original stocks were easier to come by!
 
I like the year/model you're looking at but I don't think it's a great deal myself. If you do a completed search on GB for Terrier's actually sold, you can pick up a really nice original one for about $600 on auction. The grips would cost about $75 to replace with correct style but they wouldn't be original to this gun. What you do on GB is "advanced search' then "completed items" tab. Click on the similar ones and see what they sold, or didn't sell for.

For example, here's a nice one that went for $622 last month, although yours is an earlier version with the one-line "made in USA" and logo placement.
 

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I like the year/model you're looking at but I don't think it's a great deal myself. If you do a completed search on GB for Terrier's actually sold, you can pick up a really nice original one for about $600 on auction. The grips would cost about $75 to replace with correct style but they wouldn't be original to this gun. What you do on GB is "advanced search' then "completed items" tab. Click on the similar ones and see what they sold, or didn't sell for.

For example, here's a nice one that went for $622 last month.

I had actually noticed that one and a couple of others, which is what had me pricing out grips. So far only examples I can even find that would be correct are $100+ so in the end I may give this one a pass. Offered $500, which to me still seems more in line with the condition in the end. If only it had the stocks...
 
I had actually noticed that one and a couple of others, which is what had me pricing out grips. So far only examples I can even find that would be correct are $100+ so in the end I may give this one a pass. Offered $500, which to me still seems more in line with the condition in the end. If only it had the stocks...

Buying specific grips can be fun as well. I would only buy returnable. Yours is an earlier version with the one line "Made in the USA" and logo placement. I can't quite figure out the date but I assume late 1940's.
 
I don’t have my serial number list handy but that could be a pre war/during the war or a very early postwar Transitional Model (6 screw) if it has the post war sliding bar hammer block visible in the hammer channel when the hammer is cocked.
 
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Looking at the SN makes me think perhaps1950 or a tad before.
As for value. I think the price is high by perhaps $100. - $200. I base that on condition being decent (at about 85%), wrong stocks, no box.... It will never be a good 'collector' piece. If you just want a Terrier to have one, I think you could do somewhat better in that price range. I base that on actively watching Terriers sell for the last several years.
I have been known to pay well over $600. for a Terrier, but they have been very high condition with box, etc. To some of us condition is everything.
 
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I love my improved I-frame Terrier. It's WAY smaller than a modern J-frame, and is like an LCP revolver. I have about 200 rounds of relatively recent production Fiocchi 178 gr FMJ (intended for ex-Commonwealth Webleys, Enfields and Victorys) that gives an unexpected punch in such a small package.
 
Have in my notes:
.38 SW Terrier 58078  Shipped Dec 1950
.38 SW Serial   77062  Shipped Nov 1955
Dont see those post war I frame service stocks go up for sale too often but that one might have shipped with Magnas which shoukd be same as baby J frame.
I dont follow the Terrier prices but if the finish is good they don't pop up locally here,
$500 doesn't seem all that high to me.
 
About 10 years ago I decided I just had to have a Terrier to go with my post War transitional 32 HE snub. At the time I couldn’t find one from that time frame and ended up paying $550 for a pre War Terrier to fill the slot. I haven’t been following I frame prices lately, but that sounds OK. I’d try laying five $100 on the table first though to see if he’d take it. Of course I was looking for that specific gun.
Froggie
 
S&W Post-war Terrier .38 - Worth it?

I have a couple that are probably from the 60s. Serial numbers are in the low 100,000s. I bought mine years ago for 900 dollars for the pair. For $550 I would want a more complete package, box etc., or a gun in a caliber I could at least shoot.
I bought mine because they were a complete package. But all they do is sit in the safe…..I don’t want to go through the hassle of ordering .38 sw online just to shoot in one of these.



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As I view “value” as a highly subjective quality, I’m usually reluctant to comment on such questions, and I’m certainly not qualified to do so in this case.

That said, I am of the opinion that these “six screw,” I-frames are beautiful little things. If I didn’t own one, $550 wouldn’t be too high a price to pay for the privilege.
 
I don't want to violate Forum rules by pushing a gun sales business, but the Terrier is one of several really nice Smiths at a well-known Kentucky site that specializes in estate sales and really often has 40-70 year old firearms NIB. This one is not NIB but is in truly beautiful condition in the pics.

I tried to post pics, but they all name the business.
 
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So just for an update, despite much haggling we never could strike a deal on that one!

I *did* find something pretty special that same weekend; pics and info on that in a new thread to come!
 
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