Wow! I am glad to have found you folks as I have been searching for information on my 4 S&Ws for years. I have a Model 1950 SN 77xxx in .45; a Model 1955 SN 165xxx in .45; a 38 S&W Special CTG SN 77xxx; and a 22 Long Rifle CTG SN 35xxx; all inherited from my father. He was a career officer in the USN, earned both the Navy's distinguished rifle and distinguished pistol medals and acted as captain for the Navy's pistol team in the 1950s. As I prepare my estate for the big exit, I am keen on learning more about these pistols (specifically the current Model and frame designations) and possibly their value. I have been shooting them in our winter postals for years; I love them and I keep them spotless. Any help is greatly appreciated; thank you.

Welcome! It is probably better to start a new thread for a question like this. However, have a look at this post for information we need for IDs (especially the location of and any letters near the SN):

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Photos also help with value estimates. Hope this is helpful.

PS Navy anesthesiologist?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

These may likely be the revolvers your father used in competition. You may want to research them and see if they were a private purchase or if they were issued to him. It wasn't uncommon back in the day that when a team member was discharged/retired for his firearms to be surveyed and the service member allowed to keep them. A history to the Navy would greatly increase the value, especially to a Navy veteran.

Welcome. Sounds like you inherited a treasure trove of great revolvers. With a little more info we can tell you more than you might want to know. These may be all "pre-model" revolvers, as SW simply named their revolvers without model numbers prior to about 1958. Some might consider the 1950's to be the peak of the genre, although pre-war afficionados will have their say and can't be argued with. At any rate, you came to the right place.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Most importantly:

All serial numbers must be taken from the butt of the grip frame and must include any letters preceding the serial # to assure searching in the correct serial # range.

Some grips will need to be removed to see the # number on the butt.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

And good photos always help.

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NHI, 10-8.

My guesses:

Model OF 1950 SN 77xxx in .45;
likely # S77xxx, a Pre Model 26 from 1950-51 if it has target sights.

Model OF 1955 SN 165xxx in .45;
Likely # S165xxx, a Pre Model 25 from 1956-57 if it has target sights.

38 S&W Special SN 77xxx;
likely # K77xxx, a K38 Masterpiece Pre Model 14 from 1949,if it has a 6" barrel; or # S77xxx, a 38-44 Outdoorsman Pre Model 23 from 1950-51, if it has target sights.

22 Long Rifle SN 35xxx;
likely # K35xxx, a K22 Masterpiece Pre Model 17 from 1949, if it has a 6" barrel. W/O the K it's a Mod 34 Kit Gun I frame from 1960 but that doesn't fit the pattern of a target shooter's collection.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Since there were only 2768 of the Pre-Model 26 produced, it is always nice to hear of another one in existence. Your Father's example is earlier than the example I own. Mine is serial number S166850 and was shipped on May 17, 1957.

It sounds like your Father left you with some nice revolvers to cherish and pass along.

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