SMITH & WESSON PRE MODEL 32 TERRIER RED BOX

SERIAL NUMBER: 80479. BARREL: 2". CALIBER: .38 S&W. MANUFACTURED: circa 1954. The Smith & Wesson .38/32 Terrier is a historically significant, pocket-sized revolver built on the company's antique I-frame platform. First introduced in 1936 as a snub-nosed variant of the .38 Regulation Police, this five-shot revolver was explicitly designed for concealed carry by detectives, plainclothes officers, and civilians. Unlike modern snub-nosed revolvers that utilize the slightly longer J-frame, the I-frame Terrier features a noticeably shorter cylinder and frame, specifically dimensioned to house the vintage .38 S&W cartridge. This cartridge is shorter and wider than the ubiquitous .38 Special, meaning modern defensive ammunition cannot be safely chambered or fired in this firearm. This revolver represents the rare and highly collectible "Three-Screw" transition phase. For over half a century, S&W handguns were famously known as "Five-Screw" models because they utilized four sideplate screws and one distinct screw located directly in front of the trigger guard. In the early 1950s, engineering changes eliminated the top sideplate screw and the trigger guard screw entirely. This specific engineering change makes this 1954 Terrier one of the very last variations of the classic I-frame before Smith & Wesson permanently retired the frame size a few years later. CONDITION: Very Good. 98%+. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The lock up is Excellent. There is a very small spot of frosting on the back of the cylinder edge. A faint cylinder line and carbon rings are also present. Operates normally. C&R 27-1748