S&W Identification

[TXShelbyman]

My Grandfather left me his Smith & Wesson pistol and I and trying to identify it. On the barrel is 38 S&W CTG. The barrel is 2" and it is blued. The serial number is 54986. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jim K]

Sorry, but more info is needed, especially some good pics.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

See this for info needed to I.D. it:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4622933&postcount=1

And a picture is worth 1,000 words.

rc

 

[Radagast]

TXSshelbyman:

It sounds like you have a .38 Terrier from around 1948, probably one of the first batch produced after World War II. Manufactured on the small I frame, it was eventually replaced in the S&W model line up by the more powerful .38 special Chiefs Special manufactured on the slightly larger J frame.
The Terrier was the snub nosed sibling to the four inch barreled .38 S&W Regulation Police.
Ammunition is available, but it is not cheap and is low powered when compared to the calibers that snubbies are commonly chambered in today.

I'll be able to clarify the age and give you an idea of value tomorrow when I have my reference book available.

 

[Radagast]

Yep, post war .38/.32 Terrier (.38 caliber on a .32 sized I frame). Post war production started in 1948 at serial number 54474 and reached serial number 584790 in july 1951, so 1948 seems likely. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $295 in very good condition, $400 in excellent condition.