Need help. I.D. S7W J frame in 38 S&W ctg.??

GunHawke

June 19, 2009 06:52

Hell and Happy Father's Day from the sunny south [8D],

I have a pre-model number S&W J frame with diamond grips (non-flat latch) but caliber is in 38 S&W...NOT "Special". The serial number is in the 65xxx range.

Any help or questions (sorry, no photos), I'll monitor this thread!

Thanks ahead of time.

Jim
GunHawk

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  GunHawke

  June 19, 2009 07:20

  Hello from the Sunny South again [8D],
  
  I believe I found my gun...it should be a S&W Terrier!!!
  
  Thanks for looking...
  
  Jim
  GunHawk

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  beantownshootah

  June 19, 2009 08:50

  Yup.
  
  If I remember right, the Smith terrier is actually built on the Smith "I" frame, which is a precursor to the later "J" frame. Here's one used as a backup gun by a NYC police officer:
  
  
  
  These guns were in production from 1936 through the early 1950s, when they were supplanted by the Chief's special J-frame in .38 special.

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  rufe-snow

  June 19, 2009 09:33

  The S & W book identifies your revolver as the "Pre-Model 32". There is no specific DOM given for your S.N., just a range starting in 1948 with S.N. 54474. The length of cylinder determines if it was built on the earlier "I" frame, or the later "J" frame. 1.250 length would be "I' frame, and 1.400 "J" frame.

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