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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 09-18-2020, 06:46 AM
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Default Model 1955 Marked 1950

I don’t have one but very curious about them. I believe I have read that one days production of the 45 ACP Model 1955 had the barrel stamp “Model 1950”. We all know that S&W did not ship in numerical sequence. My question to those of you who own the “mismarked” models, if you lettered yours, when did it ship? I expect they went out sometime in the next year or two.

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Old 09-18-2020, 08:01 AM
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I think these guns shipped in the mid-70s if I remember correctly and are Model 25-2s.

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Old 09-18-2020, 10:39 AM
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I had one, N 338239, shipped October 1976, marked Model 25-2.
Most of the mis-marked ones I've seen mentioned on the Forum are in that general serial number range.
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Old 09-18-2020, 10:49 AM
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Here's the letter on the one that I have.

Edited: Oops, I printed the wrong letter. But I think that does show the information that the OP was asking about. The second letter is the one that I have.
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File Type: jpg Another 25-2 B.jpg (75.2 KB, 87 views)
File Type: jpg Model 25-2 letter.jpg (65.1 KB, 106 views)
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Old 09-18-2020, 02:03 PM
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It's very curious how this happened 16 years after the Mod 26 (45 Cal with skinny barrel) was dropped in 1960. You'd think its ".45.....1950" roll stamp die was put into storage long before Sept. 1976. I wonder if the guy was fired?

Must have been a new guy who had no idea that 26 years earlier that stamp began use, then starting in 1955 was used only 5 more years, and just used on skinny .45 barrels.

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Old 09-18-2020, 03:47 PM
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I vaguely remember seeing J&G Rifle Ranch advertising that they had a number of these mismarked “Model 1950s” for sale back in the 1970s or maybe early ‘80s.

Froggie
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Old 09-18-2020, 04:24 PM
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Did these guns have the heavy or tapered barrel? Was that around the time they ran some Georgia Highway Patrol guns with tapered barrel and lanyard?
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Old 09-18-2020, 05:21 PM
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These guns have the heavy barrel.

Bill
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Old 09-18-2020, 05:50 PM
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My mis-marked Model 25-2 is in the mid- N338,000 S/N range. It shipped in November of 1976. I too have wondered how the mistake happened. You wouldn't think that the roll mark die for a gun long out of production would still be on the tool & die racks in the production area. I also have a genuine Model 1950 / pre-Model 26 from April of 1956.

Here is a comparison of both barrels, the Model 1950 .45 Target on top and Model 25-2 on bottom, both marked .45 CAL MODEL 1950
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File Type: jpg Model 1950 .45 and 25-2 Barrels.jpg (55.4 KB, 114 views)
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Old 09-18-2020, 07:43 PM
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I vaguely remember seeing J&G Rifle Ranch advertising that they had a number of these mismarked “Model 1950s” for sale back in the 1970s or maybe early ‘80s.

Froggie
Pretty much anything from the 70 and 80s is “vaguely remembered”!

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Old 09-18-2020, 07:45 PM
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Did these guns have the heavy or tapered barrel? Was that around the time they ran some Georgia Highway Patrol guns with tapered barrel and lanyard?
I can answer the first question. The Model 25-2 was a Heavy Barreled 45 ACP target revolver. The ones I am asking about had the skinny barrel marking “Model 1950”

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Old 09-18-2020, 08:58 PM
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Quote:
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Did these guns have the heavy or tapered barrel? Was that around the time they ran some Georgia Highway Patrol guns with tapered barrel and lanyard?
No, the GHP was from 1988-1989 Mod 1950 (correctly marked) since they had the slim barrel which made them Model 26-1. The only other 45 Colts with slim barrel were two M25s: The Mtn Gun, 4", 2004, and the Perf Ctr Heritage Gun, 2001.

But the 125th Anniversary Mod 25-3, 1977 had the heavy barrel in 45 Colt.
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Old 09-18-2020, 09:07 PM
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Model 1950 Target .45 ACP/AR, Pre Mod 26, likely shipped July or around mid 1953:

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Old 10-08-2020, 07:47 AM
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...Model 1950 Target .45 ACP/AR, Pre Mod 26, likely shipped July or around mid 1953...
Jim,

Is that a factory barrel length? Looks a bit short.

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Old 10-08-2020, 11:07 AM
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Jim,

Is that a factory barrel length? Looks a bit short.

Kevin
No it was cut to 4 1/4". Only the 6 1/2" tapered barrel was standard. However a very few 4" and 5" barrels are reported but are extremely rare!
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Old 10-08-2020, 11:29 AM
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Quote:
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No, the GHP was from 1988-1989 Mod 1950 (correctly marked) since they had the slim barrel which made them Model 26-1. The only other 45 Colts with slim barrel were two M25s: The Mtn Gun, 4", 2004, and the Perf Ctr Heritage Gun, 2001.

But the 125th Anniversary Mod 25-3, 1977 had the heavy barrel in 45 Colt.
They did a short run of 200-250 45LC Mod 1950's They have a longer cylinder than the 45 ACP and are marked 45 Colt Ctg.

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Old 10-08-2020, 05:55 PM
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No it was cut to 4 1/4". Only the 6 1/2" tapered barrel was standard. However a very few 4" and 5" barrels are reported but are extremely rare!
Figured it for a cut barrel. Surprised you would have such a substandard specimen in your collection! However, that would be a nice fit in my collection of misfits!! If you get my drift.

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Old 10-08-2020, 07:14 PM
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It's one of my favorite shooters:

I like the barrel length and an original short barrel is unobtainium,
the barrel work is the best shortening job I've ever seen and completely like an original sight mounting, etc.,
it's been refinished as well as a factory job of the period, if not better, one I can shoot as much as I want without guilt,
pre football cutout target stocks,
and best of all,
half the price of one all original in 100% condition with 6 1/2" barrel !!
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Old 10-08-2020, 07:46 PM
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They did a short run of 200-250 45LC Mod 1950's They have a longer cylinder than the 45 ACP and are marked 45 Colt Ctg.

Yes, I took that one for granted. I guess presumed that it was mostly known.

Thank you,
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Old 10-08-2020, 11:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44 View Post
It's one of my favorite shooters:

I like the barrel length and an original short barrel is unobtainium,
the barrel work is the best shortening job I've ever seen and completely like an original sight mounting, etc.,
it's been refinished as well as a factory job of the period, if not better, one I can shoot as much as I want without guilt,
pre football cutout target stocks,
and best of all,
half the price of one all original in 100% condition with 6 1/2" barrel !!
I'll swap ya a yaller tom cat fer it!
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Old 10-09-2020, 07:13 PM
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I'll swap ya a yaller tom cat fer it!
Throw in a nice TL and Ya got a deal if he's a good mouser!
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