what model is this smith&wesson

[thefamcnaj]

So my grandmother hands me a revolver out of the blue today and tells me she wants it cleaned and filled with fresh ammo. So I brought it home and cleaned and put some mag tech in it for her. Its her little home defense gun.
I put mag tech in it because its all I could find in .38s&w.
I did learn something new today though, that there is such a thing as a .38 thats not a special. Its just a short 38.
So any way what model is this. My grandmother told me papa bought it soon after they were married which was in 1942. The serial number is 644xx. Thanks guys for any insight to the gun. I love this little thing.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

It is a S&W Terrier, a .38 S&W revolver on the I-frame, which pre-dates the J-frame. Your grandmother's gun appears to be a late pre-war (WWII) revolver. You might want to inquire on the http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213 to get a correct date.

You might want to upgrade your grandmother's defensive armament since there aren't any really effective loads for the .38 S&W.

ECS

 

[thefamcnaj]

You might want to upgrade your grandmother's defensive armament since there aren't any really effective loads for the .38 S&W.

With all do respect.
My grandmother is 89 years old and thinks this is the greatest gun ever because....well she just does. She has no intrest in handling or learning anything else. Its been sleeping with her since the 40's. Its better than nothing, and thats ok with me.

Thank you for the link and the insight, much appriciated.

 

[Old Fuff]

I'm with thefamcnaj.

It's unlikely that Grandma will have to shoot anyone, but if she does, and hits who she is shooting at, they will have a problem. Regardless of what makes it, most bad guys don't want any extra holes in their body.

The .38 S&W cartridge was introduced in 1876, and has a long record of doing what it's supposed to do, especially at close range. At one time it was good enough to be adopted by the United Kingdom and the British Commenwealth as their official military sidearm cartridge.

Today's so-called "high performance" ammunition may be better, but you won't earn any points if the bullet doesn't hit a critical organ. What Grandma doesn't need is more recoil then she can handle. I suspect that for what she needs the .38 S&W cartridge will do fine.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
I have a old over and under derringer that is chambered for the S&W 38 short round. I used to carry it in a angle holster and would use it at close range to defend my life. It is better than nothing.
Regards,
Howard

 

[gjamison]

thats a very valuable gun. would like to have one in my collection.

 

[thefamcnaj]

that's a valuable gun

How much would a gun like it be worth?
Just wondering, id never sell it. It will be mine one day and its priceless.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

How much would a gun like it be worth?
Just wondering, id never sell it. It will be mine one day and its priceless.

That revolver is probably worth a good $500 or slightly more because it's not a late model. (IMO of course)

That's a very nice revolver and I agree, it's perfect for your Grandma... Thanks for posting the picture.

 

[gjamison]

thats a S&W Terrier. grips are not correct, there should be a N stamped
on the grip frame. if there is a B it means it left the factory blued not nickle.

i would value the gun a little higher then $500. where i to sell it, start at $850.

 

[Mp7]

beautiful

 

[Guillermo]

remind Grandma that her gun does not have a positive hammer block.

If dropped it could go off if a round is under the hammer.


As far as the defensive capability of the gun, .38 S&W would discourage me.

It also warms my heart that your grandmother loves her gun so much.

Way to go grandma!!!

 

[Threeband]

My grandmother told me papa bought it soon after they were married which was in 1942.

Years ago, a young bridegroom stepped up to the plate and bought that revolver to defend his wife and family. Many a night she slept better, knowing he and his revolver were there to protect her and her children.

He's gone now, and the children grown, but his revolver is still doing its duty, standing guard.

For her, it's almost as if he himself is still keeping watch.

My grandmother is 89 years old and thinks this is the greatest gun ever because....well she just does.

Do you understand now? She's right. It is the greatest gun ever.





-

 

[Litlman]

Your Grandmother is COOL!

 

[mashaffer]

You go granny. Lovely gun. The .38S&W is a fine round the intended purpose. If there is any concern for terminal ballistics just file a flat point on the bullet and worry not.

mike

 

[DilboFlaggins]

Quote:
My grandmother told me papa bought it soon after they were married which was in 1942.
Years ago, a young bridegroom stepped up to the plate and bought that revolver to defend his wife and family. Many a night she slept better, knowing he and his revolver were there to protect her and her children.

He's gone now, and the children grown, but his revolver is still doing its duty, standing guard.

For her, it's almost as if he himself is still keeping watch.

Quote:
My grandmother is 89 years old and thinks this is the greatest gun ever because....well she just does.
Do you understand now? She's right. It is the greatest gun ever.

I don't know how you feel about us romanticizing your grandmother,
but this made me sad in a good way.
I buy almost exclusively old guns and love thinking of where they've been, and if only they could talk.
Stuff like this gives me goosebumps.

 

[Guillermo]

Dilbo,

Lots of us have guns as the items that connects us to our family history.

My daily carry is almost identical to what my deceased father used to carry. I love walking in the woods with the .22 my uncle gave me. The old hand ejector that my great aunt used to own is a prized possession.

You are not alone in appreciating folks like thefamcnaj posting this stuff

 

[waidmann]

^all-the-above plus. The Old Western Scrounger is selling what they purport to be a bonafide .38-200 loading (equivalent to Pre-war British Military strength). Its pricey ($40 ?) but I bet Grandma is worth it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Yup, but the additional recoil may be something grandma doesn't want. Is the 200 grain load a better manstopper? Well it has a reputation as such. But I suspect that any bad guy that gets crosswise with the lady isn't going to stay around long enough to ask about the bullet weight in her cartridges.

 

[Guillermo]

the additional recoil may be something grandma doesn't want

Grandma has stated, in no uncertain terms, what she wants.

cleaned and filled with fresh ammo

Like a good grandson, thefamcnaj has complied.