Terrier/Chiefs Special ID Help

[jeff2855]

Thought I had this one IDd as a pre-36 until I dug a little deeper on the barrel stamp: ".38 S&W CTG". Now I think it may be some variety of Terrier. Serial number 71799. No model number inside the crane.
What exact frame/model is it?
Can I interchange J frame grip, cylinder, yoke, etc?

Yes, I know it is rough and has lots of issues. THANKS for the help.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It is an Improved I frame. Made for the Terrier. The grip frame is for the I frame. J frame grips will fit if they totally enclose the grip frame.

 

[Green Frog]

WGG beat me to it. That description does indeed fit the "Improved I frame", meaning S&W decided that the Baby Chiefs Special was working so well, they would put them on all of their small frame guns... a decision some of us regard as really a poor one, at least those of us who like the trigger action of a leaf spring action. You will find that its grips are the same size as the Baby's, but about an eight of an inch shorter than those on the other J frame models.
That was kinda the last of the Mohicans. It was the smallest 38 caliber S&W ever made until it became the 32-1 and joined the Chiefs Special as a J Frame and its only reason for existing disappeared.
Froggie

 

[Outpost75]

Here are better pics of one.

 

[Green Frog]

Just make sure your heart medicine is up to date before pricing 38 S&W ammo at your LGS! I nearly had a heart attack when I bought the only box mine had! I'm hoping I can get a little better price on some more at the Salem gun show tomorrow.
Froggie

 

[JH1951]

It is difficult for an untrained eye to see the difference between the early I and J frames until you lay them side by side.
Here is a picture of both. Note the size of the cylinders. The I-frame cylinder will appear to be more of a square, and the J-frame more of a rectangle. The J-frame cylinder had to be lengthened to accommodate the longer .38 Special round.
The two pictured below are both 'early' versions before alterations to frame size took place. The Chiefs Special is on top and the Terrier is on the bottom. The CS is a five-screw that shipped in 1951, and the Terrier is a six-screw that shipped in 1939. (The CS was never produced as a six-screw.) The stocks (grips) will interchange on the early versions, but the other parts you mention will not due to the dimensional changes to the Chiefs Special to accommodate the .38 Special round.
Your # 71799 Improved I-frame likely shipped around 1953. Alterations to the frame size of the Terrier followed shortly thereafter.
I hope this helps you out.
John