Smith&wesson terrier

hoosierman · 12-29-2016, 07:27 PM

I was very fortunate to stumble onto this several years ago. These aren't rare but they don't show up very often in this good of shape and I got it at a very good price. This is a S&W 38/32 which is known as the Terrier..early Mod.1953..4 screw with the early hammer. The serial number puts it at November 1955. It is chambered in .38 s&w not 38 special. I've shot a cylinder of ammo but that's all as the ammo is costly and I don't reload for that caliber. My C&R sure comes in handy..carry a copy in my wallet as you never know when it will come in handy. I thought I would post this as you don't see them very often.
Rich
SMITH&WESSON TERRIER

RidgeRunner · 12-30-2016, 05:26 AM

She looks like new. That was a good find. It looks like a Model 36.

north country gal · 12-30-2016, 06:33 AM

Beautiful old Smith. To say they don't make them like that, anymore, is an understatement.

Machinist · 12-30-2016, 01:35 PM

Very nice! Thank you.

Ridgerunner, the Mod 36 was made by lengthening that enough to accommodate the longer .38 Special. I think that was in 1951.

RidgeRunner · 12-31-2016, 03:51 AM

I see what you mean Mac.

Machinist · 12-31-2016, 06:14 AM

I have wondered why S&W went with the Colt sized case and bullet when they introduced the .38 Special rather than lengthen their own .38 cartridge. I suspect it was because the army had adopted the .38 Long Colt and this was meant to be an improvement in the M&P (Mod 10) to address the lack of power. The .38 S&W was a popular police cartridge but I don't think it was used by any big military at the time. The British adopted it as their .380-200 with it's 200 grain "manstopper" load but I think that was later, after WW1.

They could just as well have lengthened their own cartridge but maybe it is best they did not, as .361 Magnum just does not roll off the tongue as well as .357 Magnum.

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12-30-2016, 05:26 AM	#2
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,438	She looks like new. That was a good find. It looks like a Model 36.

12-30-2016, 06:33 AM	#3
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Beautiful old Smith. To say they don't make them like that, anymore, is an understatement.

12-30-2016, 01:35 PM	#4
Machinist Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 From: McKinney, TX Posts: 8,994	Very nice! Thank you. Ridgerunner, the Mod 36 was made by lengthening that enough to accommodate the longer .38 Special. I think that was in 1951.

12-31-2016, 03:51 AM	#5
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,438	I see what you mean Mac.

12-31-2016, 06:14 AM	#6
Machinist Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 From: McKinney, TX Posts: 8,994	I have wondered why S&W went with the Colt sized case and bullet when they introduced the .38 Special rather than lengthen their own .38 cartridge. I suspect it was because the army had adopted the .38 Long Colt and this was meant to be an improvement in the M&P (Mod 10) to address the lack of power. The .38 S&W was a popular police cartridge but I don't think it was used by any big military at the time. The British adopted it as their .380-200 with it's 200 grain "manstopper" load but I think that was later, after WW1. They could just as well have lengthened their own cartridge but maybe it is best they did not, as .361 Magnum just does not roll off the tongue as well as .357 Magnum.