1955 Model of 1955

[kscharlie]

For a good long while, I had been content to obtain a few I frames and several K frames. Got some pretty nice ones for (mostly) not a lot of money. Lately, I have been following discussions of the many N frames. I was really concentrating on looking for a nice 28 and perhaps even a 27. Well, I happened to stumble across a very nice Model of 1955 in .45 ACP and the drooling commenced. I ended up with the winning number and hopefully it will arrive at my doorstep sometime next week.

Serial # is S130822, which should make it a 1955 ship date. I have read discussion about the S130xxx series being used on some Pre 25's, apparently it is somewhat uncommon.

It has a nice set of targets on it, but they are considerably newer than the gun. Don't know at this point if I will attempt to rectify that or not. (If anyone here has a set of Cokes for about a hundred bucks, let me know. ) Also, I am assuming there are no moon clips with it, as the description did not mention it and I failed to ask. So I will most likely have to obtain a few of them. The gun cost me just a few bucks over $800 plus $30 shipping. For now, a few pics from the auction will have to do.

[quinn]

Very nice find. I love the pre models 22, 25 & 26. Moon clip are the original speed loaders. Moon clip tools make it easier to load and strip. You 1955 might have shipped with non-relieved targets. Enjoy

[Doc44]

Many of the 1955 45 Target revolvers shipped in 1955 have a serial number in the S143000 range. Some of the frames originally intended for the 1955 45 Targets were diverted in late 1955 and early 1956 to make the newly introduced 44 Magnum.

Diamond target stocks made of walnut shown on the 1950 44 Target below would be correct for your revolver. It was shipped in March 1955. Click on the photo for a closer look.

Bill

[6GUNSONLY]

Beautiful guns, both yours and Doc's.

[Nightowl]

I always wanted on of those, but never found one priced right when I had the dough! Ended up with a 1950 model instead!

Very nice gun, How's it shoot?

[22hipower]

[QUOTE=Doc44;140100596]Many of the 1955 45 Target revolvers shipped in 1955 have a serial number in the S143000 range. Some of the frames originally intended for the 1955 45 Targets were diverted in late 1955 and early 1956 to make the newly introduced 44 Magnum.

Bill

This has probably been covered, maybe many times, in previous posts but my "search" function is not working at all these days. So, can you clarify why S&W was still making the pre-26 after they went to the heavier barrel 1955? I assume it was an evolution replacing the Model of 1950 Target (pre-26) which brings up the question of why production overlapped if they were replacing the pre-26 with heavier barreled models? I have never seen a Model 26 although I suppose there may be some. I have a pre-26 sn S78490 which I think is 1951 but also have one sn S146526 which I would think is 1955 or later. So, why was S&W still building light barrel pre-26s in 1955 or later? Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[22hipower]

I think $800 is a great price for that gun even without the correct stocks. I would pay that in a heartbeat if I found one where I shop; haven't seen one for sale that I remember anyway. Nice buy!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[gmborkovic]

You paid $799+ for a gun with the wrong grips? Yea, cheap Cokes.
If you happy, all that matters. Wink.

[model3sw]

maaahty fine shooter you got there, pardner !

You won't be sorry. Mine, is a early 25-2 with a muzzle brake that is one of my favorite target revolvers. I use my Giles .45, target loads in it to excellent results. No need putting factory packs through it although it would just eat them up, just as nice. Congrats on your great find.

Oh, good luck on finding a $100 pair of Cokes ! That ain't a-gonna happen in your lifetime. Sal

[gmborkovic]

Hey pardner, aint never seen, shot or had one that did not shoot like a dream. Good snag, even without correct Coke grips. No big deal. Mike

[Walter Rego]

22hipower, I have a Model 1950 .45 Target (Pre-Model 26) in the mid S145,000 S/N range that shipped 4/27/56. I suspect that after the introduction of the heavier barreled Model 1955, demand for the tapered barrel Model 1950 dropped off considerably. Production of the Model 1950 .45 Target was only 2678 guns over about an 11 year period and my other guess is that accurized .45 automatics were starting to take over on the bullseye ranges so even the Model 1955's were not huge sellers.
Coincidentally I have a 1976 manufactured Model 25-2 that is one of the mis-marked guns with Model 1950 on the barrel instead of Model 1955.

- kscharlie: Nice gun and a heck of a deal for $800. You could probably sell those newer era Target Stocks for at least $100 or more and put that towards a set of period correct Diamond Target Stocks.

[Nightowl]

It is my understanding that "cokes" were only shipped on .44 Magnums and .41 Magnums. Nothing with Smith is "for sure and for certain" though and they could have been special ordered or just handy and installed.
Or I could be wrong altogether!

[Muley Gil]

Here's what I have been able to piece together from reading the Forum.

At one time, a number of shooters preferred the .45 revolver as opposed to using the 1911. These revolver shooters felt that the 1950 .45 Target was too muzzle light. S&W responded by building the 1955 .45 Target. Some folks still liked the 1950, so it wasn't dropped at that time, though demand was not all that good. Production of the 1950 was stopped in 1960.

[kscharlie]

Yeah, yeah, I know I won't likely be finding a set of Cokes for $100. But I never thought I would find a Model of 1955 for $800 either. Golly, a fella can always dream. Obviously, I have not seen the stocks in person, but from the pictures, they sure do look purty! Most likely will not actively search for a pair of non-relieved targets. Even the "not Cokes" are expensive. And I really am not interested in getting a set of Magnas. If it came from the factory with them, they are long gone and I have no desire to pay good money for stocks with the wrong serial number on them. At least most targets are not marked with a serial number.

When I get it in hand, I will make further assessment and go from there. I am anxious to get it and give it a whirl on the firing line.

[Willeys]

In 1978 I bought a M-25-2 new. After a close examination, I found the gap was large and I sent it back for repairs. When it returned all looked good and correct except for the Mod 25-2. It appeared the “25” was stamped over a “29”. I questioned whether I had a M25 frame or M29 frame. The return letter simply state that serial number was on a Mod 25-2 frame. Regardless of the over stamp, it was a wonderful gun to shoot in both ACP or R-ACP. Unfortunately I no longer have that gun.

[Doc44]

Target stocks were standard on 1955 45 Target revolvers (they were not shipped with Magna stocks).

Bill

[JSR III]

Nice looking gun. I would not give up looking for a nice set of diamond stocks. I find that the best place to look is at old dusty gun shops where they typically have an old box full of stocks or smaller gun shows or gun club swap meets. Regular gun show dealers are too expensive so I find better deals at the smaller venues.

I remember buying boxes of 1,000 primers for $10 from an older gentleman that was no longer reloading at a small gun club swap meet and just trying to clean out his basement. At the time they were like $75 at the big gun shows.

[Narragansett]

Very nice find!! Now continue the search for your 28. I bought 2 very nice examples recently. A 4' and a 6". One from 75 and one 67-68

[kscharlie]

Originally Posted by Doc44

Target stocks were standard on 1955 45 Target revolvers (they were not shipped with Magna stocks).

Bill

Thanks for that reminder, Bill. I overlooked that in the description as written in the SCSW. Should have known better. Well, sometimes the mind gets a bit cloudy.

[PALADIN85020]

These are the type of stocks that would be correct for that gun - usually walnut, non-relieved, with a diamond checkering pattern.

This set is not for sale, as I sold it to a member here some time ago.

John