Answered an ad today that read "must sell,need cash Model 1955 .45acp.

So,off I went to meet the owner in a Target parking lot about 45 minutes from my residence.

I was just ready to depart when he arrived 30 minutes late with the 1955 in a canvass holster that came out of an old dirty backpack.

As soon as he handed it to me I knew I had made a huge mistake in going without first getting more info and some pictures.I was blinded by a desire for a 1955 that I could shoot.

The gun was badly refinished in a desert tan color Cerakote.It was peeling off near the end of the barrel.Well worn Hogue rubber were the grips installed.Some .454 size bullets barely stayed in 3 cylinder holes while they fell straight through in the other 3.

When I asked if I could remove the grips he said no but added that he had replaced the "all bent up weird looking spring" with a straight one.

The assembly number in the yoke put it at about a 1956 DOB.

The bore and sights looked very good,the lockup was tight plus no noticeable end shake so I offered him $150 if he could find the weird looking spring.

He said he would need at least $700 to close the deal so I said goodbye with a smile.

I hope things are better tomorrow at a Texas gun show an hour's drive south.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

All other things included I would sure as hell not meet a guy in the parking lot at Target with a pile of cash in my pocket. Good way to get ripped off.

It happens all the time, in my part of the world. Not ideal, but McDonalds frowns on people spreading firearms out on the tables ...

I just purchased one on GB. It looks almost new and seems to be in great shape. I hve yet to shoot it.

"The gun was badly refinished in a desert tan color Cerakote.It was peeling off near the end of the barrel.Well worn Hogue rubber were the grips installed.Some .454 size bullets barely stayed in 3 cylinder holes while they fell straight through in the other 3."

I would not consider the .454' projectiles being loose as unusual at all in that model. I have known of a few folks that shot cast as large as .458" in their Colts to get the revolver to group worth a hoot.

Just in case I buy one
Where do you get cast bullets that large?
And do they shoot jacketed accurately with throats that big?

The few FTF deals I have done have been in the PD parking lot.

Sounds like it would've been a great truck gun. But, not for $700.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

I see it out my office window all the time, in a bank parking lot.

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Regards,
Bruce

Sounds like this one had a "W" mainspring at one time.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Huntsville PD today announced an "exchange zone" at the police station where people can pick up and drop off children (in custody situations)... Meet to do firearms transfers...meet to exchange other items negotiated online. A great idea,methinks.

Some PDs here in Tennessee are doing the same.

Cheers,
Whisper

I've refereed child pick-up/drop offs at the station, at a local McDonalds and other locations. It's sad that parents use their children to further their fighting.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Driving that far for a no-deal is a bummer!
Did that a while back on a no-go lens trade.
Went to the San Felipe Casino which is halfway to Santa Fe.
Have bought and sold guns and cameras in the local Micky D parking lot.
The police station sounds like a good idea.
I do have a Substation not far away.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Our local police chief announced a year or two ago that the PD parking lot was open and available for people to do these face-to-face meetings or exchanges.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

That's so disappointing. Sometimes you can ask all the questions you can think of but still get bad information and a disappointment when it shows up. Been there, done that. Just didn't have to drive as far. He'll never get $700 for that; does he have your phone # to call you back?

The assembly # in the yoke has no relationship to the gun's vintage. Only the serial # will provide an idea of its DOB, but the serial # wasn't stamped in the yoke until 1958 at the earliest.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Have done more than one FF transaction in a bank parking lot. My favorite is Academy Stores. Least favorite is a restaurant parking lot after dark where I did my last deal. Didn't worry to much after the seller advised he was going to walk over with his wife and dog. In the area of Houston where he and I both agreed to meet, I kinda figured him for an upwardly mobile professional individual. I was correct. hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

If this 1955 had had a quality refinish done in midnight blue or black and the gun didn't cause instant nausea I could have offered more and used it as a weekly shooter to save wear and tear on my pristine unpinned 4" 25-5.

The assembly number in the yoke was 27775.

The screw on the bottom of the Hogue rubber was solid rust so maybe that's why he said not to remove the grips.

I bought a NIB pre 25 Model 1955 from John Jovino's back in 1962 that was also made in 1956 and had the W mainspring installed.That gun had a .452/.453 cylinder and a gorgeous blue finish.I probably put 20,000 rounds through it during the 30 years I owned it.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I used to go to Walmart next to the Auto service bays on camera. No more FTF in Oregon

In Little Rock the cops let folks meet in their parking lot to do gun deals. I call that an enlightened attitude.

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No life story has happy end.

Bottom line is- there is no substitute for a hand-on eyes-on inspection.
Photos, Internet descriptions, and all that stuff is so wonderful!
But there'd is no substitute for a hands on inspection.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Did a FTF once in a gas station parking lot. I didn't worry about it since the buyer was the Chief of Police in that town.

Once sold a Mini 14 to a State Trooper.
He was off duty in civvies but driving his patrol car.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

"Huntsville PD today announced an "exchange zone" at the police station where people can pick up and drop off children (in custody situations)... Meet to do firearms transfers...meet to exchange other items negotiated online. A great idea,methinks. "

I believe the San Antonio police started the same parking lot transaction policy this year, or so I read in the paper. One reason I don't really like to sell things on Craigslist is I don't want people coming to my house to pick up things. 99% of the time there probably will be no problem, but that other 1% the buyer could be a nutcase killer.

He should try selling it in Kalifornistan. He'd get his $700 and the Cerakote would be a selling point...

Well I did much better today at the gun show.

I was there when the doors opened at 9AM and finished haggling 3 hours later.

The bottom line is I got a 99% Model OF 1955 with 2 sets of diamond grips(1 target,1 magna) in a even trade for a PC686 2 1/2" 7 shot.

The 1955 is without box,papers and cleaning kit and has white paint in the lettering.I remember back in the 70s putting red,white,yellow paint in the lettering was what many people did.

Cylinder throats are .453/.454

There's a very light turn line.

Barrel measures 6 1/2"

Serial # S130745
Assembly # 75440

Sorry for the RA 60 Match ammo in the photo,I don't have any earlier to match the DOB.It is from a LEG Match I shot in the late 60s at Camp Perry.

Attached Images

Model Of 1955.jpg (199.4 KB, 227 views)

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Sounds a bit like the 65 Corvette I went to look at 20+ years ago. Quizzed the guy for half an hour as to condition...Drove FOUR hours to eastern MT to find the car sitting in the open behind the barn. With the interior totally destroyed by packrats. The interior was not the only issue either.

Over the phone the idiot seller had assured me the car was in great shape.

dardas cast bullets: .45 Caliber 255 Grain Semi-wadcutter Bevel Base 500 Count

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .454 45 CAL

Quality hand-cast bullets for reloaders, competitors, and recreational shooters - 45 Colt Pistol Bullets - Price List

Quality hand-cast bullets for reloaders, competitors, and recreational shooters - 45 ACP Pistol Bullets - Price List

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

The owner of the Model of 1955 abomination sent me a message this morning about a better deal than the original asking price of $700.

I'm inclined to remain with my original offer of $300.

The cost of removing the old peeling desert tan color Cerakote and a quality refinishing plus new grips together with $300 brings it to acceptable for a shooter I'd bring to a public range without embarrassment.

I could never own it and leave it the way it is now.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I love my shooter grade 5-screw 1955. Mine is in the S130,000 range but didn't ship until 1957. Actually mine is 51 numbers higher than yours.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

How did you get the shipping date?Factory Letter?

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

In a later post you wrote that your original offer was $300 which is about what I would be willing to pay but most any usable N frame is worth $400 and I watched an Armaloy plated Model 1955 that had a replacement blued barrel sell at a local match for $800. If your original offer was $150 that was an insult that would have driven off most sellers. I don't fault the seller for countering one ridiculous offer with another.

A long time ago I bought a .348 Winchester that was original except for the entire thing had been painted with a clear lacquer that had turned amber and was wrinkled and cracked. I presumed there was lots of rust but after cleaning it with paint remover I was pleased to find 90-95% original blueing. Usually guns are painted to hide pitting but paint protects them far better than blueing.

I do not know if paint removers dissolve Cerakote like other paints. Has any one here tried?

If that's "shooter grade" a bunch of my shooters must be junk!

Perks of being an SWCA member, Roy supplies shipping dates, 5 per week. Pm me if you'd like to join

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

So what was the better deal? Did he elaborate?

I told him I was firm on not going more than the $300.

I think if you saw it you would agree or say $300 was too high.

I'm only curious to how it would shoot but not $600 to $700 curious.

Pay $300 and it shoot good = fix it up
Pay $300 and it doesn't shoot well = ????

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Probably I worded it wrong.

I offered an additional $150 if he could find and include the W or U spring.The $300 is for the as is gun.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Largest PD in the area announced that people were welcome to complete Craigslist and other internet sales at the PD, so long as they didn't involve firearms . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I never was able to make a deal on the abomination but by sheer luck I came upon it's first cousin at a shooting range soon after the abomination owner fell off the grid and was able to make a very good deal right then and there.
The gun is built on a Model 57 no dash frame with a 6.5" 45 cal 1955 barrel and a 25-2 cylinder.
The gun was spray painted with a tan color automobile touch up paint and has a lot of dents and dings.
The deal included about 70 rounds of ammo,23 full moon clips,a Brownell's demooning tool and 2 holsters.
An hour after owning it it was at Black Sheep Arms in NW Austin TX to be refinished in Cerakote.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Now 6 weeks later I have the gun back.

The gun was Cerakote refinished in Socom Blue except for the sights and rib which were done in Armorer's Black.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

A few more shots.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I have done Craig's List, ARMSLIST & Backpage.com transactions in all kinds of locations (never my frequent locations). But it works this way: "We" agree on an area & "I" Google (if not familier) and specify the spot. I assume he is armed & he assumes I have cash. I would be an idiot to stumble into a cash firearms transaction, unarmed - he knows that & and I never have to be unarmed (I love Arizona). He would have to be more lethal than I, with a handgun in order to rifle my body for money. I have never had any problem of any kind. I think police departments who encourage firearms transactions on their premises is, as stated, enlightened. But my attitude in general is this: if I were to happen upon a hoodlum, he will not be skilled. When I meet skilled men, they are not hoodlums. Now that I think it through, I have never felt the need for police protection, and I'll bet our dissgracefully unsupported and barely paid police forces might appreciate it. Just two more cents from my extremely shallow change purse.
Jeb

A local pawn shop has a S&W M&P snub with a lot of wear and a chromed & jeweled hammer and trigger. They want $550 for it!

Someday I'll go down there and offer $250 with a max of $300. Then, if I get it, send it off to Robar to NP3 the cylinder, hammer, trigger, cylinder release, and extractor rod and Roguard the rest. As long as it shoots well of course!

As for the private sale meets, I'll have to live vicariously through you guys for now as WA got rid of them in 2014.

Stakeout,

The pics looks like a great job. Although not stated in either of your latest posts are we to presume that you are pleased with the work? While some will shun the idea of Cerakote on any S&W there are times when it is a viable choice. IMHO yours was one of those. Did the 57 (for lack of a better description) have any pitting issues? The second pic of the last post looks like there was some on the frame just in front of the cylinder latch. best regards. hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

The S&W logo is gone as is the other frame stampings so my guess is that when it was a complete Model 57 it was highly abused and whoever made it into a 45acp had to do some major repair work buffing out pitting.

At Black Sheep Arms the barrel needed to come off and reattached to fix cant.

It's going to the range this morning to shoot some moon clips full of lead and plated bullets and Auto Rim with 200gr Berry's plated SWC over 4.0gr of BE

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Here's a few photos of .454" lead bullets that were dropped into the rear of the cylinder.If I tapped on the base of the bullets none fell through the throats but one had it's tip protruding.

The gun shot well at 10 yards using a variety of hand loads and factory ammo loaded in moon clips and .45AR
The target pictured is 10 rds of 230gr hard cast lead bullets over 3.8gr of BE and 1.250" OAL

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Not to hijack, but a friend of mine is a Lionel train enthusiast, and has signs posted saying "I buy old trains". A while back he got a call from a man saying he had some to sell and they agreed to meet in a parking lot. The seller said his house was off the beaten path and hard to find so the buyer could follow him home. The buyer waited for the seller to show up at the agreed time but he didn't and the buyer waited a while longer. Finally a guy walks into the lot apologizes for being late and explains his car broke down and he had to walk there. If the buyer would ride him to his house they could do their deal and he'd deal with the car later. They start off and after turning down a lonley road the seller pulls a gun on the buyer and takes his money and the van. Alarm bells should have gone off, I know, but I suspect greed played a big part.

Removing cerekote requires media blast. I don't know of any solvent that removes it. Well, I should add I know of no solvent that safely removes cerekote. I am sure that there are solvents out there that will remove cerekote, and some metal too while it's at it.

Yes,media blasting is needed to remove a previous Cerakote but unlike the original Abomination this gun was spray painted with automobile paint.

The folks at Black Sheep arms needed to media blast it anyway to make sure the was no oil,grease or other material on the metal that would cause the Cerakote to peel later on.

The gun looked really cool in blasted clean metal,almost like it was stainless.

I've got $625 into this project.

The Socom Blue is almost black but I think a good choice.

I had also thought about cutting the barrel to 3.5",doing the barrel,cylinder and cylinder release in brushed aluminum and the frame in midnight blue.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN