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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 11-06-2019, 06:44 PM
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Default Model 45

In my 3rd edition of SCSW, I could not find where there is a count of all the Model 45's made (both pre-45 and marked 45). Has that been corrected in the 4th edition? If not, does anyone have an idea how many were made? Thanks.
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Old 11-06-2019, 07:23 PM
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Probably not many. Never a regular item. One of those I always wanted but will never have.
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Old 11-06-2019, 07:28 PM
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The number that has always been batted around is 1,500

Here is one of the engraved ones that was sold off with the Factory Collection when Tompkins owned Smith & Wesson

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Old 11-06-2019, 07:46 PM
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The total is usually given as 1500, but I have no idea if that number is authoritative. Nor is it clear if that is inclusive or exclusive of the Post Office guns. I have never seen an estimate of the number of Post Office guns shipped, but it has been assumed that all of them were destroyed, not sold off as surplus. There is much unknown about these, but for sure, they are not often seen. I have a Model 45, SN C4298xx

Last edited by DWalt; 11-06-2019 at 07:55 PM.
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Old 11-06-2019, 09:25 PM
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"The total is usually given as 1500, but I have no idea if that number is authoritative."


All the authoritative publications, (Roy's letters) imply 1500 is the number. I believe that is also inclusive of the Post Office built guns.
There are approximately 50 with the 6 inch barrel and the rest were 4 inch barreled guns.

Here is a little eye candy.

A very nice shooter four screw.

enjoy,
bdGreen





Last edited by bdGreen; 11-06-2019 at 09:28 PM.
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Old 11-06-2019, 11:13 PM
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Well, I have one coming (hope to get it in a day or two). Serial number is C4297XX. I was just curious about the number. When I get it, I will have an M&P trifecta (.38, .32, .22).
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Old 11-07-2019, 01:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brick View Post
Well, I have one coming (hope to get it in a day or two). Serial number is C4297XX. I was just curious about the number. When I get it, I will have an M&P trifecta (.38, .32, .22).

One I have is also C4297XX and shipped in June of 1962.

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Old 11-08-2019, 09:49 AM
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I handled one at the Reno Symposium. The gentleman was asking $2500.
I thought a little steep for the condition.
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Old 11-08-2019, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brick View Post
Well, I have one coming (hope to get it in a day or two). Serial number is C4297XX. I was just curious about the number. When I get it, I will have an M&P trifecta (.38, .32, .22).
Do you mean the .32 S&W Long M&P? Not many of those around either.

Last edited by DWalt; 11-08-2019 at 10:10 AM.
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Old 11-08-2019, 11:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEO918 View Post
I handled one at the Reno Symposium. The gentleman was asking $2500.
I thought a little steep for the condition.
While I do not know the condition of the one you looked at

I see here a model that had roughly 1500 examples produced more than half a century ago.

The USPS pieces are believed to be destroyed as opposed to sold off.

Then there is just the normal loss from 50+ years in circulation

So how many does that leave surviving in the world?

It is not like this is a Model 15 or 19 where tons of them are on the secondary market

$2500 in Excellent condition sounds like it could be a fair price
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Old 11-08-2019, 11:46 AM
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DWalt: yes a .32 long M&P k frame.
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Old 11-08-2019, 03:17 PM
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DWalt: yes a .32 long M&P k frame.
They are about as mysterious as the .22 M&P, if not more so. Apparently most were exported to points outside the US. To just where, I don't know. Some have been found in South America and Mexico.
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Old 05-24-2020, 10:08 AM
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I have an unmarked Model 45, SN C883330, NIB. SCSW 3rd and 4th edition says made along with 134 others in 1978 with no model markings. David Carroll says the unmarked 45's were made in 1973 vs. 1978 from left-over parts. I wonder if he or SCSW got the dates wrong? I haven't pulled the grips off mine to see if they are numbered. Will try and do that today.
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Old 05-24-2020, 03:13 PM
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I am of the opinion that the 'C883XXX' guns were manufactured in the 60's.

There were 135 'frames/guns' on the shelf and Roy passed the edict to have them assembled/packaged and sold in 1978.

This is why there are no model markings. Box them up and sell them.

Now, most all of the 'C883XXX' will show to have been shipped in June of 1978.

There is evidence of the same series of serial numbered guns shipping in the 60's.

Hence my reasoning for believing that they were all manufactured during that time period and lanquished on the shelves at S&W until Roy said, "move'em on". Clear them out and be done.

Some were picked to be embellished with engraving and nickel plating. These were also in the 'C883XXX' number range. There is some speculation as to how many. The number is typically five or six. I concur.

Your C883330 most probably shipped in June of 1978.

But, until you letter it, or ask Roy, you can't be assured of that.

Could be a '60's ship date gun.


enjoy,
bdGreen



Oh, and some had the six inch barrel also. Once again, speculation falls around the '50' totals for that configuration.





Last edited by bdGreen; 05-24-2020 at 03:32 PM.
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Old 05-24-2020, 03:28 PM
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Thanks, great info. I will check on the ship date when eligible. I'm guessing that mine is a 78 ship date based on appearance, grips, etc. The grips ARE numbered to the gun. It is NIB.
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Old 05-24-2020, 03:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0132 View Post
Thanks, great info. I will check on the ship date when eligible. I'm guessing that mine is a 78 ship date based on appearance, grips, etc. The grips ARE numbered to the gun. It is NIB.

".22 M&P serial C883325 was shipped in June 1978. I hope that this helps."

You can request the ship date on the 'Collector's side' of the Forum. But, you probably knew that. Ha.
The above serial number is the closest I have to yours.

bdGreen
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