One More Shameless Showing Off...

[CajunBass]

This one is my wife's fault. Really.

I haven't gotten it out of layaway, but thought someone here might be interested.

It's a 1952, Smith & Wesson "Terrier." Using the improved I frame with a coil mainspring, it's a five screw, chambered for 38 Smith & Wesson, with diamond round butt Magna's, it's a little smaller than the "J" frame we know today.

I've been ignoring it really for a couple of months. I'm not a big fan of the small frame guns, but my wife kept saying she thought it was "cute." I finally told her to make an offer. The worst thing they could say is "no." She did, they took it. Now we had to put up. So it's on layaway.

A couple of crappy cell phone pictures before it went off to the slot in the back with my name of it.





Forgot to mention. It's already been "lettered." The factory letter says it was originally shipped March 19, 1952 to a hardware store in Lexington, Ky. I forget the name of the store. That makes it a "birth year" gun for me, since I'm a '52 model myself.

 

[bannockburn]

CajunBass

Nice find! Looks to be in really great shape too!

 

[mnrivrat]

Absolotely nothing wrong with your wifes taste in guns.

There isn't a lot of these floating around for sale. I would be happy to own one.

 

[Twiki357]

That should make a nice carry gun for your better half.
It always fascinates me the way you young’uns are so hesitant about revolvers.

 

[CajunBass]

Oh, it won't get carried. Shot maybe, but not carried. Due to some medical problems, my wife no longer carries, but she still likes to go to the range about once a week. So other than that, it's to be pretty much a safe queen.

I even sort of halfway thinking of casually looking for a period box for it. I doubt I'll ever find one, but it's the hunt that matters.

It always fascinates me the way you young’uns are so hesitant about revolvers.

It's been a long time since anyone called us "young'uns". Not many people around who can.

 

[bikemutt]

Outstanding Cajun, an excellent find!

 

[oneounceload]

Nice find!

 

[Hondo 60]

Beautiful! Nothin like an older S&W revolver.

Just bought a 34-1, dated 1978-1979.

Congrats on a good find.

 

[PJSprog]

Very nice. Is it bad form to ask the price?

...and, extra points to you for posting pics before you actually have it!

 

[Deaf Smith]

Yea Cajun, great find.

I reload .38 S&W. I have a Colt, S&W, and a Webley.

I once saw a S&W I frame 'Terrier', nickle, in .38 S&W. Kick myself for letting it go.

Congrats!

Deaf

 

[Malamute]

Very nice pistol, you did good.

Deaf, I'm a sucker for nickel Smiths and Colts. It is sad that one got away.

 

[CajunBass]

Very nice. Is it bad form to ask the price?

You know the old saying about "You don't pay too much, you just buy too early?" Well, I'll just say I bought it too early. But they were asking a lot more for it originally. I had a feeling when this thing showed up at Ali-Babba's House O Guns, that I was going to end up with it sooner or later. I kept hoping someone else could come along and buy it, but they never did.

...and, extra points to you for posting pics before you actually have it!

I almost always stick a gun on layaway for a week or two before I pick it up. Gives me a little time to ponder on it. The shop allows 90 days. This one will be there longer than normal. I've promised to take my wife up to "nawth" to visit her people this month and she won't let me forget that promise. I just finally remembered..."You got a camera on your phone dummy."

I did find a set of dies for 38 S&W on E-bay.

 

[MCgunner]

Hmm, I'm a '52 model. Didn't think anything else could survive that long.

Nice. I like the old thumbnail front sight. She looks clean for her age.