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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 12-08-2016, 11:40 PM
tipoc tipoc is offline
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Default .45 Target Model of 1955 (pre-25)

I picked up this well worn gun recently. It belonged to a police officer who lived in Pacifica, Ca. He carried this on the job during the late 1970s. So we were told.

The gun is a .45 Target Model of 1955. SN S1659xx. It was shipped on Nov. 2 1956 to the Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Mo. From there, at some point to California and J. Henwood in 1976 (at least that's the date inside the stocks).
















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Last edited by tipoc; 12-08-2016 at 11:41 PM.
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Old 12-08-2016, 11:59 PM
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Henwood put his badge number inside the cylinder cutout.







It still shoots well with the right ammo. Though a bit high with 230 gr. loads 10 and 15 yards.

A gun built for target work. It may have seen a good deal of that. For awhile at least it rode in a holster.

tipoc

Last edited by tipoc; 12-09-2016 at 12:19 AM.
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Old 12-09-2016, 12:21 AM
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@ tipoc
Enjoy shooting your Model of 1955 Pre 25 5 screw.

There's several threads on these excellent revolvers.

Have you removed the grips yet?

Some revolvers shipped with W shaped and U shaped mainsprings.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/139059922-post6.html
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Old 12-09-2016, 12:24 AM
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Common mainspring.



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Old 12-09-2016, 03:42 AM
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I can only hope to show that little finish wear when I am 60 . I would probably describe it as "holstered, a little". Enjoy!
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Old 12-09-2016, 08:12 AM
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My thoughts exactly Murphy Dog, if that's well-worn I've got some pieces that are a disaster. Very nice piece.
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Old 12-09-2016, 09:04 AM
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The number etched into the frame under the cylinder looks like an evidence # rather than a Badge#. If a Badge# it's the highest I've ever seen. Nice gun anyway..
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Old 12-09-2016, 10:08 AM
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That's a nice .45.

I worked with an officer who carried a M25 and with another officer that carried a 5" M625 ACP. Over the years, I carried a S&W 1917, a Colt 1917 and a M625 ACP. The M625 came with a 5" barrel, but it was a mite heavy. I looked for a 4" Mountain Gun barrel, but the factory was out of stock. Wound up swapping on a 3" barrel.
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Old 12-09-2016, 10:21 AM
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Nice gun, the bluing wear adds character to a fun shooter. Bought one earlier this year with a lot of blue gone that shot great. Gave it to Andy Horvath and now have a 3 1/2" 25-2 that shoots great. Enjoy your new gun, Larry
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 824tsv View Post
The number etched into the frame under the cylinder looks like an evidence # rather than a Badge#. If a Badge# it's the highest I've ever seen. Nice gun anyway..
It's the same number as etched into the stocks.

I'll try to find out more about that if possible.

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Old 12-09-2016, 11:27 AM
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Nice piece, I am thinking its the previous owners drivers license number, unfortunately, I have seen more than one revolver de-faced in such a way. Did you pick it up at Imbert & Smithers by chance?
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:43 AM
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Yeah actually. Talked with Gina about it who knows the seller. But it wasn't her who thought it was a badge number.

That could be a CDL number. Right amount of numbers. The letter prefix would make it early though I think (I know nothing about sequencing of CDL numbers).

Stories that go with guns aren't always, ya know, all true. I'll try to find out more.

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Old 12-09-2016, 12:31 PM
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Tipoc, I wonder if this revolver has any connection to John Henwood, the author of the books on the M&P, the Winchester Models 1905,1907 1910 and the book on the Remington Model 8's. He lived in Ca. but I believe he has passed.
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Old 12-09-2016, 12:43 PM
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Hmmm?

Wrote for Collector's Grade Publications. Book on the Model 8 Remington.


We can only know if I poke around. Seems a long shot.

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Old 12-09-2016, 01:24 PM
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I have one also. Along with my model of 1950, my two favorite shooters. Really nice revolver. Enjoy!
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Old 12-09-2016, 01:38 PM
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I found this obit on the internet. He may be your man.
John Henwood Obituary - Pacifica, California | Legacy.com

Last edited by OFT II; 12-09-2016 at 01:40 PM.
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Old 12-09-2016, 04:31 PM
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Thanks. That could be.

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Old 12-09-2016, 04:39 PM
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Here, below, is a link to a thread from this forum from 2009.

It refers to his books and that he was a range master from Pacifica.

has anyone read Henwood's "America's Right Arm"?

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Old 12-09-2016, 06:07 PM
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John Henwood the author was from Pacifica. He wrote , The Forgotten Winchesters {models 1905,1907 & 1910}, America's Right Arm {M&P's} and The Remington Model 8 . I spoke with him several years ago before he died and sent him info on the Winchester 1907 and also info on the Model 8's and 81's that I own that was included in the reprint of that book by Collector's Firearm Publications in Canada. I have autographed copies of both the book on M&P's as well as The Forgotten Winchesters. He was a nice guy to visit with and I enjoyed our conversations. Tipoc, I think we have a winner in ID'ing the former owner of your revolver. All the best, Joe.
PS, he is credited in T.J. Mullen's great book on the K-Frames as well.

Last edited by Joe Kent; 12-09-2016 at 06:12 PM.
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Old 12-09-2016, 08:33 PM
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I think you're right. Good work by all!

I think I'll try to find out a bit more.

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Old 12-09-2016, 11:09 PM
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From another gun forum...

"In years past I frequented the Sharps Park Rifle & Pistol Range in Pacifica, Ca. Belonged to a club there called Golden Gate Rifle & Pistol Association. Rangemaster and mentor to me, was John Henwood. Recently ran across his name online and found that he authored a few self published firearms books. The one I am interested in was on the S&W K frame (hand ejector) series. He pretty much influenced my choice in revolvers for shooting at that time, the K, J, and L frames, so would like to hear his historical account of these fine weapons."

Found!!! -- K frame book by John Henwood - Calguns.net

There are othr references to him there as well.

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