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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 09-13-2021, 08:02 PM
JHW47 JHW47 is offline
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Default Model M-26 1955 TARGET

New guy here and not sure if this is the right spot. I just received a M-26 with 6.5" barrel. 1955 TARGET. I don't know much about this model. Ser# is S 2075XX. Can anyone tell me when it was built and what grips would have been on it from the factory? It now has aftermarket rubber grips and I wold like to get it back to original. I can't seem to find much information on this model. Also I'm interested in an approximate value even though I'll never sell it. I'm thinking of chamfering the cylinder to make reloads faster. Would that decrease it's value?

Also I have a Model 15 in blue that needs refinishing. Is there anyone in the Phoenix aria who does hot bluing that you could recommend? Thanks Jim

Last edited by JHW47; 09-14-2021 at 12:03 AM. Reason: mistake in ser #
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Old 09-13-2021, 10:27 PM
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First, welcome to the forum.

There are a couple of problems with your post. If your gun has an "S" prefix to the serial #, you have too many digits in your post. There are no more than 6 numbers following the S. Check your serial # again, on the bottom of the butt. You will have to remove the goodyears to get to the serial number.

Second, the "1955 Target" is either a pre-model 25 or a model 25, not 26. We need the correct serial number to be able to tell you what stocks are correct for your gun.

Lastly, assuming you have a pre-25, I would strongly recommend you NOT chamfer the cylinders. It would seriously impact the value. Depending on condition, it could easily be worth $1200 to $1500. I can't see the value of chamfering, as the gun shoots .45 acp using moon clips. If you are unable to drop moon clips in the cylinder, chamfering certainly will not help.

Pictures would help answer your questions.
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Old 09-13-2021, 11:54 PM
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Thanks, I did have too many numbers in the ser #. I have corrected it. S2075XX is correct. It is clearly marked MOD-26 on the crane. I can't seem to find much info on the Model 26 and I'm wondering if it could be more scarce and perhaps have more value than the 25 witch is why I wanted to check with some of you before modifying it. It has the wide target hammer and trigger. I will need to get some photos to post. Not sure if my phone will take good enough photos but I'll try it in the daylight tomorrow. It is a four screw gun.

Last edited by JHW47; 09-14-2021 at 12:07 AM.
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Old 09-14-2021, 12:38 AM
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Shouldn't the barrel marking be ".45 CAL MODEL 1950"? I've seen one model 26, it was in 2008 or '09 at the collector's show in Denver. It was wearing diamond magna stocks and displayed as being all original.

Do Not modify the cylinder.

Last edited by S&W Fan; 09-14-2021 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 09-14-2021, 01:21 AM
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The barrel is marked ".45 CAL MODEL 1955" as is the box end label. I have no paper work with it but I have the original box. The end label reads: SMITH & WESSON
1955 Model 45 Target
Target Hammer 6 1/2 Inch
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Old 09-14-2021, 05:35 AM
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We need a good photo of the crane marking. That will help.

Mismarked revolvers are not uncommon from the factory. If they needed to build a Model 25-5, for example, any N frame could be made to work if a -5 frame were not handy.

Here are a couple of photos showing what we need to see.

Kevin
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Last edited by StrawHat; 09-14-2021 at 08:14 PM. Reason: Wrong photograph
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Old 09-14-2021, 07:05 AM
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Welcome! An interesting gun in at least two ways.

With the tapered barrel, it is (and should be stamped) model 1950 on the right barrel. There are known heavy barrel model 1955s stamped 1950 there but yours is the first with the reverse error of which I have heard.

Second, there were very few of these that were model stamped between 1958 and 1966, when the model was discontinued. Definitely recommend against any modifications, there are plenty of S & W .45 ACP/AR revolvers for shooting and this one sounds to be for collecting and preserving.
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Old 09-14-2021, 07:53 AM
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My guess-
It is either a Mod 25 and the OP is misreading the model number, or it is a Mod 26 rebarreled with a heavy barrel.
Pics would tell us.
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Old 09-14-2021, 09:26 AM
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I am not to well versed on 45ACP revolvers and this is the only .45 I have but I do not think it is a heavy barrel. I looks like the #5 photo in StrawHat's post.
I'm not a collector. I'm the guy at the range with the 19-2 with the six inch Python barrel and the 17-2 with the bull barrel and Bo-Mar site rail. Over the years I have acquired quite a number of S&W and Colt revolvers and very few are in their original configuration. I bought this as a shooter but after getting it home and looking it over and trying to find more information I thought I had better consult someone who knows about what I think might be a rare model.
I'll get some photos latter this morning. Thanks everyone for the interest. Jim
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Old 09-14-2021, 10:28 AM
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Not sure if I know how to post photos to this site. Looks like 6 may have been stamped over 5 after blowing it up ???
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 45acp-6.JPG (53.6 KB, 96 views)
File Type: jpg 45acp-3.jpg (70.5 KB, 69 views)
File Type: jpg 45acp-2.jpg (50.4 KB, 78 views)
File Type: jpg 45acp.jpg (45.5 KB, 67 views)
File Type: jpg 45acp-7.jpg (72.1 KB, 49 views)

Last edited by JHW47; 09-14-2021 at 02:21 PM.
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Old 09-14-2021, 01:07 PM
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That looks like a 5 stamped over something to me.
In the other thread you posted in, sodacan posted a pic of a 1950 and a 1955 together here- http://smith-wessonforum.com/141257290-post18.html
Maybe he will post that pic here.
The 1950 guns that have lightweight barrels have beveled corners on the top front edge of the frame. Heavy barrel guns do not have those bevels. Your frame is not beveled, so it was never a 1950 Model. It is a Model 25.
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Last edited by handejector; 09-15-2021 at 08:12 AM. Reason: correcting mistake
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Old 09-14-2021, 01:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector View Post
That looks like a 5 stamped over something to me.
In the other thread you posted in, Kevin posted a pic of a 1950 and a 1955 together. Maybe he will post that pic here.
The 1950 guns that have lightweight barrels have beveled corners on the top front edge of the frame. Heavy barrel guns do not have those bevels. Your frame is not beveled, so it was never a 1950 Model. It is a Model 25.
I agree that is a model 25 after looking at a few 6”s on S&W’s, the top of the 6 is rounded - not flattened off like the top of a 5.
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Old 09-14-2021, 02:14 PM
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I think you are right. What confused me in the first place was that my dealer sold it to me as a Model 26.
I would like to know about when it was manufactured and what stocks it would have come with. I bought it as a shooter and I think it will work just fine.
If it works as well as my K frame guns I will be very happy.
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Old 09-14-2021, 04:59 PM
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Your 25 no dash would have been shipped likely in 1960. The correct stocks would be diamond center target stocks with the relief cut on the left hand stock. A nice set of them will run from $200 to $300.
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Old 09-14-2021, 07:57 PM
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Nice revolver and a bit more collectible than a Model 25-2. If you have pin gauges you can accurately measure the throats in the cylinder. If not, and you have access to someone who casts 45 caliber bullets you might be able to get a sampling of bullets in varying diameters to test drop in the chambers. The smallest one that hangs up in all of the cylinders is what you are after. Size your cast bullets to that diameter.

If you choose to shoot factory, hardball is what these were designed to shoot.

All of my ACP revolvers like the Lyman 452423 (240 grain Keith SWC) and the SAECO 453 (240 grain full wad cutter) over hardball doses of powder.

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Old 09-14-2021, 08:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector View Post
That looks like a 5 stamped over something to me.
In the other thread you posted in, Kevin posted a pic of a 1950 and a 1955 together. Maybe he will post that pic here.
The 1950 guns that have lightweight barrels have beveled corners on the top front edge of the frame. Heavy barrel guns do not have those bevels. Your frame is not beveled, so it was never a 1950 Model. It is a Model 25.
I believe that photograph was posted by sodacan. But here is a photograph of the Model 1950 (top) and the Model 25-2, 1955, (bottom).

Click on the photo to enlarge and then click on the enlargement to make it full screen.

Kevin
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Last edited by StrawHat; 09-14-2021 at 08:03 PM.
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Old 09-14-2021, 08:48 PM
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Thanks everyone. I'll probably stick with factory ammo for it's maiden trip to the range. Doesn't look like it has been shot much in the last 60 years. I think I'm going to like it.
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Old 09-15-2021, 05:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHW47 View Post
I think I'm going to like it.
If you don’t, lots of folks on this forum would. Me included.

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Old 09-15-2021, 08:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawHat View Post
I believe that photograph was posted by sodacan.

Kevin
Duhhhhh........... you're right.


Here- http://smith-wessonforum.com/141257290-post18.html
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