Spotted this S&W and would like to know the model?

[Hondo44]

In S&W nomenclature, it's a ".38 S&W Terrier".
In specific collector terms, it's a ".38 S&W Terrier - Post War Transitional Model". One of the most difficult to find.

It's basically a pre war 6 screw I frame with the addition of the 4 line address and post war improved sliding bar hammer block safety. Most of these have a mixture of pre war and post war features, however yours is "pure", pre war sharp cornered checkering borders on service style stocks with pre war 1930's vintage flat silver (chrome plating over brass) stock medallions. And the double pinch thumb piece, another part of pre war style.

 

[glowe]

OK Jim, you have peaked my interest even though the gun is way too recent for me. Where is the 6th screw?

 

[Art Doc]

Terrier with a bad refinish. I mean bad. I think about $350 too high. I bought a 1955 Terrier a couple years ago in pristine condition for $350.

 

[hardknocks]

6 screw

Dont see that one every day.
If you want one to shoot you could make a offer.
$699.00 he is proud of that gun.
I agree 350 to 400 bucks.
I wish mine had those grips.

 

[Waveski]

The price Art Doc got was a really good deal , and not indicative of fair market comparison.

Congratulations to Doc ; I'm guessing that at least 90% of the folks on this forum would stop what they were doing if they had a shot at that gun at that price. Probably close to 100%.

 

[DWalt]

In my earlier posting, I was going to say the $400-$450 range seems about right, but chose not to as I am not familiar with current Terrier market price trends. I wouldn't feel bad paying in that range for this one. I like revolvers chambered in .38 S&W, have six of them, none being a Terrier. I always wanted one of the rare Colt DS revolvers chambered in .38 NP (same as .38 S&W). Foolishly passed up a reasonably priced example about 5 years ago, have been kicking myself ever since.

 

[Hondo44]

OK Jim, you have peaked my interest even though the gun is way too recent for me. Where is the 6th screw?

That's a good question because it brings up two differences in the I frame screw count.

The 6th screw is the mainspring tension screw which was deleted when the Improved I frame was introduced in 1952 with a coil mainspring. The J frame was originally introduced in 1950 with a coil mainspring.

As you know, to more specifically I.D. hand ejector vintage, the screw count came about based on the screws as they were deleted. The 5 screw count was based on the K and N frames, which never had the flat mainspring tension screw #6 deleted, therefore didn't qualify for the 6 screw count.

Early on, few people paid much attention to the I frames, and just assumed the screw count was the same. Not only was one more screw deleted than K and N frames, but the 4th and fifth screws of I frames were deleted in a different order.

So a 4 screw I frame and 4 screw K or N frame have the same # of screws remaining but they are different screws:

The I has the top sideplate screw but no trigger guard screw. A 4 screw K or N frame has a trigger guard screw but no top sideplate screw.

 

[Chuck Jones]

It's a Smith & Wesson Terrier in .38 Smith & Wesson, and if those sell for that much money I'm a millionaire.

How does a WWII RAF pilot describe the 38 S&W?

"...we had been equipped with Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers with an effective range of about a yard, after which the bullet plummeted smartly groundwards."

 

[Green Frog]

I got tired of explaining to folks about how to tell the difference between a "real" I-frame and an "improved one" so I just started telling them to look for the screw in the front of the grip frame, indicating the presence of a flat mainspring. As Brother Hondo44 said, this is the hardest to find of the Terriers, post-WW II with the improved safety, but most of the other pre-War features. I've never been able to lay my hands on one at a price I can justify, but do still have a serious Jones to get one to go with my similar 32 HE snub... so far I've had to settle for a pre-War Terrier. Oh well.

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

It's a Smith & Wesson Terrier in .38 Smith & Wesson, and if those sell for that much money I'm a millionaire.

How does a WWII RAF pilot describe the 38 S&W?

"...we had been equipped with Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers with an effective range of about a yard, after which the bullet plummeted smartly groundwards."

I'd like to see the context and know the speaker of that quote, Chuck. Of course the WW II UK military was discovering the "superiority" of the 9 mm and 45 ACP, but their leadership had accepted for years the idea that the 38-200 (their designation) was a good all around answer to the need for a last-ditch weapon, which after all was the purpose of a military handgun, along with serving as a sort of badge of office.

I would challenge you to stand not 1 but 10 yards away from a shooter with a 38 S&W revolver and willingly take one to center of mass... you are even allowed a Kevlar vest if you wish... then you will only get a bruise to remember how "poor" the ballistics are with that puny 38 S&W.

Respectfully submitted,
Froggie

PS Since he mentions the bullet "plummeted smartly groundwork" did the RAF guy fire it forward from the plane in midair? I will readily admit it would be pretty poor for air-to-air combat.

 

[Art Doc]

Military loadings I dunno. But I have fired 125 JHPs from my Terrier at a clocked 975 FPS which is 100 FPS faster than the much feared and ballyhooed 38 Special +P from a 2" tube.