Does anyone have reference material telling how many .45 ACP Model 1955 revolvers were made in 1955?

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Made my dog proud

I don't know of any studies on that question, but there cannot have been many. Well under a thousand, I would guess, and possibly not more than a couple of hundred.

Another way to look at early production might be to ask how many five-screw Pre-25s were produced, and how many four-screw Pre-25s. The model-marked 25s were so much preferred to the light barrel Model 26 revolvers that the 26 went out of production in 1961. The 25 went on to be a steady seller for S&W. Only about 2800 26s and Pre-26s were produced from 1950-1961. I suspect more 25s and Pre-25s were sold in their first decade, but I have no idea what that number would be.

That's a nice specimen.

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David Wilson

[QUOTE=DCWilson;137913790]I don't know of any studies on that question, but there cannot have been many. Well under a thousand, I would guess, and possibly not more than a couple of hundred.

Another way to look at early production might be to ask how many five-screw Pre-25s were produced, and how many four-screw Pre-25s. The model-marked 25s were so much preferred to the light barrel Model 26 revolvers that the 26 went out of production in 1961. The 25 went on to be a steady seller for S&W. Only about 2800 26s and Pre-26s were produced from 1950-1961. I suspect more 25s and Pre-25s were sold in their first decade, but I have no idea what that number would be.

That's good info. Would you have an estimate of the serial number range of the 1955s made in 1955?

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Not sure of the numbers but we can add this one to the list. Shipped October 5/1955 to Evaluators Ltd.

Wow!

Just Wow!

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Made my dog proud

I have no idea. But you have one so that puts you ahead of me.

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No life story has happy end.

I'm with SP.....I do want one though!

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Hard to say because of the company's well-known indifference to shipment (or in some cases even production) in serial number order. I can say that the earliest Pre-25s known to have shipped in 1955 have serial numbers that lie between S143100 and S143600. Caution: those are round numbers, not literal production boundaries, so I am not saying that first year production ran to 500 units. Some guns in that range may not even be Pre-25s.

Just to keep this as nebulous as possible, the S143xxx range includes guns shipped in later years. There is one Pre-25 known in the S161xxx range that is reported to have shipped in 1955, but I worry that the date may not be correct.

A couple of Pre-25s are reported with serial numbers in the S130xxx range, but I have my doubts about those as well. I don't doubt that the guns exist, but they may be prototypes, retrofits, or even something else entirely.

If you want to play the odds, a Pre-25 with a serial number of S143xxx is likely to be a first-year gun, and serial numbers above S150000 may point to later production. But it would take a letter to nail down a date for a single specimen.

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David Wilson

My serial number on the one pictured above bears out what David said. It was shipped on 10/5/1955 with serial number S143280.

Looks like mine is a little later down the road.
It's S166105. Still a 5 screw.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I don't know how many were made in the first year, but I know the earliest ones date to March 1955 and have serial numbers in the S143000 range. There are also a few in the S130000 range (I have examined at least one).

Bill

I don't have a first year pre 25 but my 5 Screw is one of my most acurate Guns....Even with slightly oversized Cylinder throats.

I'm the current caretaker of S143517 that shipped in July '55. I always had a thing for the unrelieved target stocks.

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NRA Cert. Inst. RSO

Please tell me more about the "letter" and whether or not the letter answerer would be someone with knowledge of production totals for a given year.

Also, from my reading, I was under the impression that the Model 1955 was only made for 2 years (1955 & 1956) before it became the Model 25. Is that correct?

Thanks Gents!

I've got some other Smiths, but this is the oldest and my favorite.

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Made my dog proud

I am lucky enough to own serial S130,9xxx that is stone mint original in the original box with 3-t's and grips are numbered to the gun. Been in a local collection since the 1980's and is all original. Maybe the earliest? I will start a new thread with pictures later on.

Model numbers were assigned by Smith & Wesson in 1957. That doesn't mean that all 1955 revolvers sold after that date were stamped M25 on the frame.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Please do!

Just to add another number and date, SN S143439 shipped on 9/22/55 to Rex Firearms.

Bob

THAT is something I hadn't considered.

Thanks!

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Made my dog proud

FWIW, I have S1664xx which is not model marked but shipped in Nov 1958. May have sat of a shelf for a while.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

So if one is looking to "date" a S&W, do you consider when the firearm was made or when it was shipped to a retailer?

Yours is more in the serial number range of mine. I had fooled myself into thinking it was first year from a novice's searching in arcane S&W dating tea-leaves... Not like Martin guitars.

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Made my dog proud

S&W kept track of shipping dates, not manufacturing dates. The BATF-E accepts these as the age of the firearm.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks! Very interesting to know that.

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Made my dog proud

I have serial # S143587 that was shipped April 13 , 1955 .

Per the letter it was one of three delivered by S&W Asst Sales Manager F.H. Miller to Jesse Harpe Co. and was be shown at the Mid-Winter Pistol Match in Tampa , Florida .

A wonderful shooter , it's been refinished in nickel at some point and sports smooth Presentation grips rather than the specified checkered walnut targets .


Regards
George

I am looking at S-165541 with a W spring in it's original Grey/Blue plane box.
Also S-144055 with a W spring in it's original Grey/ Blue plane box.
The end labels are marked 1950 Model 45 Target with the 0 marked out and replaced with a 5 to make it 1955.
These boxes are numbered to the guns.
I think these boxes were out before the Gold and before 1955 labels.
One box has grey metal corners and one has red.
DB

S-143535 June 16, 1955
S-144055 March 15, 1956
S-144994 July 25, 1958
S-160140 Feb. 17 1956
S-161675 March 15, 1955
S-165531 Feb. 28, 1957 Flat Spring 99% I just sold for $1100
S-165541 Feb. 24, 1956 W Spring
I think that there was an S spring I do not have one.
DB

I just want to add that the Model of 1955 is all around one of the most charismatic of all the post war S&Ws. I love mine.

There was no "S" Spring only a "W" and a "U".

I have an N-frame 44 Special 1950 target model # 1439xx rec'd in August 1955, so it is obvious (from sopme posts above) that some of the 1955 .45 target models with lower serial numbers were shipped later.

I am curious if frames were numbered (and placed in storage) BEFORE installation of barrels & cylinders, or if serials were applied only AFTER a gun had been completely assembled. Anyone know?

Frames were made and serial numbered on the butt. They were fitted with a side plate and yoke and stored by model. The side plate, yoke and frame were each stamped with the same "assembly" number. When a production order was received, frames were taken at random and fitted in Soft Fitting with a barrel and cylinder that were stamped with the butt serial number. The revolver was then disassembled and sent for final polishing and finishing in blue or nickel depending on the model. The completed revolver was then stored (disassembled) until a final order was received. The completed revolvers were taken at random and sent to Hard Fitting for final assembly, etc. This process resulted in a randomization of serial numbers and why many revolvers with lower numbers were shipped long after those with a higher number.

In late spring 1957, S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Department, which helped a little, but randomization of serial numbers still occurred.

Bill

Additional data:

S1667XX is a non model marked 5 screw. Don't have a shipping date

Here is Model 1955 Serial S130,xxx. New thread started with more pictures.

Mine is #143455. The cokes aren't original equipment but I think I'll keep'em.

My M58 was shipped more than a decade after the SN was assigned . I bought it in 1978 or '79, but its # is S327XXX. Such stuff happens, and I suspect more often with low volume sellers. A firm prediction based on serial # is possible, but depending on a bunch of variables, may be spot on or way off.

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NHI, 10-8.

I own two pre-25s, one with the 'W' mainspring, the other with standard main spring. The 'W' gun has SN S160584 and the other gun is S 165574. I have not lettered or got shipping dates for either.

It is important to point out that during much of this same period, S&W was introducing at least two other N-frames that were strong sellers. I refer to the 44 Magnum and the Highway Patrolman which were being produced in large numbers to meet demand, not to mention other N-frame offerings.
While trying to guess manufactured dates and shipping dates is the favorite pass time on the forum, it simply can not be done with certainty.

Roy Jinks has told us many times, frames were produced and serial numbered, placed in inventory and used to make many different models randomly.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Trying to convince a neckbeard at a gunshow that his "early" gun based only on SN may not be quite as early as he thinks is futile. I have given up trying. No letter no premium for age. S>N but that's about it, and hence why I throw $50's Roy's way to nail it down for better or worse.

For what its worth I have a letter inbound, hopefully in the next 30 days, for Pre 25 S1605xx.

New guy here and I'll start a new thread on my 1955, but the number is S143450. Very close to some in this thread...

Russ

Attached Images

100_3378s.jpg (89.7 KB, 854 views)

Stand catalog of SW suggests sn176000 started 1957. My 1955 sn1668xx and is a 5 screw & Pre 29 is sn1697xx and 4 screw. Supports suggestion

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Tommy

Thanks for bumping this thread. Reminded me to update. My pre 25 S1605XX shipped Feb 21, 1958. The frame clearly sat on the back of the shelf for some time before being put together. Interesting the guy who ordered a Model 25 actually got a pre model.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Hello
That is very True, the Model of 1955 was a slow Mover and finding an exact Number would be very hard to do. Here is one that is a pre-25 Non Model stamped and in Five screw variation that shipped in December of 1959. This is Proof that not all Gun's were model stamped after 1957 Nor were they in Four screw configuration. MR Jink's told me that mine was built on the Pre-29 Frame as they had a surplus of them on hand to use, so the frame is heat Treated. Here is mine Regards, Hammerdown

Sorry for bringing to life old thread but more info on the thread subject matter.

My revolver is a 5 screw 45cal Model of 1955 with unrelieved target style grips.

Serial # S130745
Assembly # 75440

6 1/2 inch barrel

Numbers on barrel,cylinder,grips and butt all match.

The magnas in the photo have a 144xxx number,so they are not matched to the gun;just a piece that was added to the deal on the gun.

Attached Images

Model Of 1955.jpg (199.4 KB, 82 views)

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

For those who track these things, let me add a data point.

I have a Model of 1955 Target (pre-25) five screw frame, all matching, bearing serial number S144516. It shipped in January 1958.

Question: Has anyone ever encountered 5-screw revolver having a late-for-serial number shipping date, and marked with a model number? That would be interesting!

Curl

Here's my pre-25 with serial number 1440xx



Haven't had it lettered so can't confirm date on it.

Another one for the record..
# S196200, model marked ,4-screw,numbers match, 1/2" target hammer and 1/2" target trigger, non-relieved target grips in walnut, Roy gave me a ship date of 3/61.. Plain un-numbered , un marked blue box w/ stick on label ...


1955 model
45 target,
BLUED 6-1/2 inch


JIM...................

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SWCA # L-1911

Model 25-2 was the greatest revolver produced by Smith and Wesson !

jimmyj,there's some 25-2 owners with .454 to .459 cylinder throats that may not feel the same.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

DON'T like Model 25-2s because of oversize cylinder throats !!
Send the Model 25-2s to me and I will give them a good home

I have S160419, which is a five screw model. It was probably manufactured in 1955, but it wasn't shipped from the factory until January 1956.

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Ash

I have two 1955 Targets, 5-screw;
#S165024 shipped Nov. 1958 in .45acp
#S165547 shipped to H.H.Harris June 19, 1959 in .45 Colt

hibbs S&WCA 2062

Just to add S143508 shipped 9/55 my wife's birth year and month....

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Bob Giese