BOUGHT THIS REVOLVER ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND WAS WANTING SOME HELP ON THE VALUE AND AGE OF THIS MODEL 1955. WHEN I OPEN THE CYLINDER THERE IS S199334 AND M-25 STAMPED INSIDE. THE REVOLVER SEEMS TO BE IN VERY NICE CONDITION.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Attached Images

	SWM1955.JPG (40.6 KB, 214 views)
	SWM19552.JPG (39.6 KB, 175 views)
	SWM19553.JPG (34.3 KB, 178 views)
	SWM19554.JPG (31.0 KB, 184 views)
	SWM19555.JPG (26.9 KB, 134 views)

Does it have a screw on the front of the trigger guard? That would make it a "4 screw model" and would add to the value.

Yes it does have the screw on the front of the trigger guard. The barrel is a 6 1/2" barrel.

The serial number S100334 and the Mod-25 stamping are in direct disagreement seeing as how the model designations were not ordered before 1957 and the serial posted is from the very early 1950s.

Looking at the photo of the serial number I believe it is actually S199334, which would put that closer to a 1958-1961 time frame. I have a Model 28, serial S195097 which shipped in November 1959.

__________________
Non illegitimae carborundum

After looking thru the magnifying glass, you are correct i believe it is 199334. Any idea on the value?

Im thinking that i might sell because it just sets in the safe.

I have S196xxx and it lettered being shipped in April 1960 Model 25 4 screw Value.. depending on condition and box ect $800-$1200

If the stocks and finish are origional and correct, I'd peg it at about $750 on a good day. If I wanted to sell it, I'd put it in the classifieds at $900 and see what happens.

I appreciate the help, i just didnt have a clue what it was worth.
Mitch

Im sure it is original, i got it from my uncles estate and i recall he bought it back in the 70's. He was very pround of it and bragged how he got it for a steal.

Can't tell from the photos, but are those Diamond target stocks?

Yes they have the diamond around the screw in the stock, so i guess they are target stocks.

HERE IS PICTRURS OF THE GRIPS.

Attached Images

	SW19557.jpg (87.2 KB, 67 views)
	SW19556.jpg (76.2 KB, 81 views)

I have a model 25 no dash, 4 screw, serial # S198024. It shipped in Dec 1960. With the non relieved targets and if it is in the condition it appears, it should be worth $900 or more IMO. I think the stocks alone are worth close to $200.

__________________
Pat Henson

Thanks for the info, i guess the $475 i paid for it was a good price. The pistol looks new to me but i am not an appraiser by no means. I ran a patch down the barrel and there was nothing on it, im not sure it has been shot, if so very little.

I have S199543 (209 after yours) and it shipped 5/19/60.

Wow that is real close serial #'s, what state are you in?
Im in Kentucky.

AR but the gun shipped to Tacoma, WA.

How do you go about getting the history of my S&W? I saw on a post about a letter from S&W giving you the date of manufacturing. Can someone post the info to get this?
Thank you to everyone for the help on my Smith!!

Up in the FAQ's there should be the forms and info to request a Letter from S&W, which will give the date it was shipped from the factory, and to where it was shipped. In most cases it will have been shipped to a distributor or dealer.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Those stocks are what is known as "First Pattern Targets" or "Non-Relieved-Diamond-Checkered-Targets", probably Walnut.

Good News: In the kind of condition they are in, they are worth about half of what you paid for the revolver. I would say $250 or so.

Bad News: They predate your revolver by more than 5 years so it is unlikely that your Smith shipped with these stocks.

While they do not "hurt" the Model 25 a more era-correct pair of "Second Pattern" or "Relieved-Diamond-Checkered-Targets" would be a suitable replacement for the original Magnas that the revolver probably shipped with.

Very, very rarely Targets on 25's from this era (and earlier) were serial numbered to the frame on the inside, so it's worth a look to see. Be Careful Removing the Wood! Small edges will sliver easily.

While you have the stocks off, check the Main Spring type as well. Right around this period (and earlier) S&W was experimenting with different types of mainsprings in N Frame targets and you will sometimes see "U" and "W" shaped types instead of the normal, familiar flat-leaf type spring...

Drew

As for the correct grips mine has the same grips and I was told that the Non Relieved Target grips were used on the Model 25's as the shorter case didn't need to have the relief. That way S&W could use up the older stock inventory.... That was posted on the forum awhile back.........Or just another internet rumor ....

That's a possibility, but I've not heard that before.

In this photo of early S&W .45 Targets, it's the Model of 1950 (Pre-26) guns in the lower right that are seen with non-relieved targets.



Another view of the 1950's...



My 4-screw Model 25 has relieved diamond targets mounted.

Drew

Very nice collection....... I hope to build mine up also in time..

Only took me 40 years or so....

Hello COYOTEHUNTER
Nice Model of 1955 .45 Target you have there you should be Very proud of it, clean examples are hard to find as many were used and used very often due to their accuracy and non violent recoil. I Picked up a model of 1955 Just over a Year ago. It is of the Five screw variation, bright blue, and came to me with non relieved diamond Target stocks made of Gancalo-Alves as shown. Upon purchasing it, I was excited to learn when it shipped thinking it would be a very early example due to it's Five screw variation and stock's that it had. In examining it prior to closing the deal, I noticed it's barrel was a tad bit short. it measures a true 5-7/8". It had not been altered as the crown looks as it did the day it left S&W and the barrel stamps coincide with it's length. I had a suspicion something was special about this gun but I was into it very right, and I wanted a good shooter in this caliber for a while so I went ahead and bought it, as Five screw variations like these do not show up very often, unless they have been rode hard and put away hot.



In my area these seldom come up for sale as we have many military folk's still serving or retired that scoop these up as soon as they become available, no matter what shape they are in. Proof of this was While awaiting my back ground check, a man walked into the store and spotted it on the top of the glass gun case and asked about buying it, letting me know I was not a moment Too Soon on getting there or saying I would take it. When I got home with it, I contacted a couple of well respected colleagues of the S&WCA asking them about this gun and they shared with me that the barrel stampings as well as the factory address stamps looked correct for a Five screw variation which was confirmed through the Lazy Ampersands used in it's stamping process on the gun & it's barrel.


Little did I know, I was in for a real surprise about it's ship date though as I was told this gun shipped in April 1959 and is of a Pre-25 Non Model stamped variety. When I bought it I figured it had to be from late 1955-1956 time span due to the Five screw variation and the serial number falling into the early Pre-29 series of guns made then being S-160000-S-161000. I stood to be corrected and the reason this gun shipped so late as a five screw variation was that S&W had made up a bunch of Pre-29 Five screw frames in advance for the .44 Magnum in 1956 time span but the ones that were not used for the build process of the Pre-29's were placed back into the inventory safe, and it was explained to me that the balance of these five screw frames were used to assemble later made Model of 1955 .45 Targets as mine is.


What this all means is Two things here, we cannot assume serial number's are exact shipping dates, nor can we assume that the factory did not ship out Five screw variations that were not model stamped being Post 1957 time Period as mine clearly shipped Two full Years after the factory started stamping model number's in these guns. I do know that in the serial number range that mine is from the frames used were given a special heat treating process to take the massive pressures of the .44 Magnum round, so that only add's to the guns durability in the long run.



The diamond center non relieved Ganacalo-Alves target stock's came on my gun, they fit very tight and follow the guns lines perfectly. I have no idea if it shipped with them as I have not lettered it, but given the fact I wanted a good shooter in this caliber and the price was very reasonable, almost as reasonable as just purchasing the stocks on it alone, it was not a concern to me and never will be. Most Non relieved diamond stocks I have seen in the past were of Walnut wood, so these are a bit different, showing us that not all Non relieved diamond target stocks were made of strickly Walnut wood. I have filled need for a good shooter as shown by the target results of this gun shot with my own hand loads, I now know I only need one that shoots this good. In Conclusion We as S&W collectors strive to have all the Definative correct answer's to these guns, but for some of them there remains to be a mystery that none of us can clearly explain, as I have heard many time's in the past that S&W was in Business to Market , produce, and ship guns, not keep collectors happy or conclusive with what they made, sold or what time span it did ship out of the factory as my April, 1959 Pre-25 has proven this theory to run very true....

Nice post HAMMERDOWN, i will have a some more questions for all y'all next week because i have 3 more Smith's that will be here next week, ill post pictrues.
I appreciate all the help, you all are a wealth of knowledge.
Mitch

Hello Mitch
Thank you Sir, I appreciate your kind words. I see you are rather a new member here, welcome aboard. I look forward to seeing more of your S&W's in the future as we all enjoy seeing other member's guns here. This is a Great forum for sharing information about our Passion of collecting S&W's.....

Very nice collection Sebago Son. It is evident you have put your time in searching for those fine pistols. Im just starting my venture. Thanks for the pictures.

Here is my M-25 at top and Mod 10-6 D3523**in middle and Mod 36 5720**. I enjoy seeing the pictures of everyones S&W's and their story behind them.

Attached Images

	3 S&W 3.jpg (70.7 KB, 16 views)
	S&W 4.jpg (54.9 KB, 15 views)

That's a pretty good start! Interesting that when I began putting my collection togeather nearly 40 years ago I had a .45 ACP (Model of 1917) a .38 Model 10 and a J-Frame (Model 38)!

But I also had a Model 28 and a Model 27 too! You need to get at least ONE N-Frame .357 while there's still a few of the early guns around!

Here is a picture of my M-25 no dash top and my M 25-2 45 cal. Is the M 25-2 a N-Frame because the serial number is N68979#. Do you have an idea when it was shipped, and any info. I hope some day i am half as knowledgeable as you guys.

Thanks

Attached Images

	Pistol_Download_002.jpg (65.1 KB, 15 views)
	Pistol_Download_012.jpg (29.9 KB, 11 views)

Hang with it! You'll pick it up pretty fast. You can help yourself out alot by studying the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson; 3rd Edition" by Supica and Nahas. It's available on Amazon.com I think. Well worth the money.

Speaking of which, the tables in Mr. Supica & Mr. Nahas book suggest that N68979# shipped in late 1979 or 1980.

Drew