How many made in 1955? Model 1955 .45ACP

[Kentucky Dave]

So if one is looking to "date" a S&W, do you consider when the firearm was made or when it was shipped to a retailer?

Yours is more in the serial number range of mine. I had fooled myself into thinking it was first year from a novice's searching in arcane S&W dating tea-leaves... Not like Martin guitars.

 

[Muley Gil]

S&W kept track of shipping dates, not manufacturing dates. The BATF-E accepts these as the age of the firearm.

 

[Kentucky Dave]

Thanks! Very interesting to know that.

 

[georgepittenger]

I have serial # S143587 that was shipped April 13 , 1955 .

Per the letter it was one of three delivered by S&W Asst Sales Manager F.H. Miller to Jesse Harpe Co. and was be shown at the Mid-Winter Pistol Match in Tampa , Florida .

A wonderful shooter , it's been refinished in nickel at some point and sports smooth Presentation grips rather than the specified checkered walnut targets .


Regards
George

 

[DBWesson]

I am looking at S-165541 with a W spring in it's original Grey/Blue plane box.
Also S-144055 with a W spring in it's original Grey/ Blue plane box.
The end labels are marked 1950 Model 45 Target with the 0 marked out and replaced with a 5 to make it 1955.
These boxes are numbered to the guns.
I think these boxes were out before the Gold and before 1955 labels.
One box has grey metal corners and one has red.
DB

 

[DBWesson]

S-143535 June 16, 1955
S-144055 March 15, 1956
S-144994 July 25, 1958
S-160140 Feb. 17 1956
S-161675 March 15, 1955
S-165531 Feb. 28, 1957 Flat Spring 99% I just sold for $1100
S-165541 Feb. 24, 1956 W Spring
I think that there was an S spring I do not have one.
DB

 

[Modified]

I just want to add that the Model of 1955 is all around one of the most charismatic of all the post war S&Ws. I love mine.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

S-143535 June 16, 1955
S-144055 March 15, 1956
S-144994 July 25, 1958
S-160140 Feb. 17 1956
S-161675 March 15, 1955
S-165531 Feb. 28, 1957 Flat Spring 99% I just sold for $1100
S-165541 Feb. 24, 1956 W Spring
I think that there was an S spring I do not have one.
DB

There was no "S" Spring only a "W" and a "U".

 

[jw mathews]

I have an N-frame 44 Special 1950 target model # 1439xx rec'd in August 1955, so it is obvious (from sopme posts above) that some of the 1955 .45 target models with lower serial numbers were shipped later.

I am curious if frames were numbered (and placed in storage) BEFORE installation of barrels & cylinders, or if serials were applied only AFTER a gun had been completely assembled. Anyone know?

 

[Doc44]

Frames were made and serial numbered on the butt. They were fitted with a side plate and yoke and stored by model. The side plate, yoke and frame were each stamped with the same "assembly" number. When a production order was received, frames were taken at random and fitted in Soft Fitting with a barrel and cylinder that were stamped with the butt serial number. The revolver was then disassembled and sent for final polishing and finishing in blue or nickel depending on the model. The completed revolver was then stored (disassembled) until a final order was received. The completed revolvers were taken at random and sent to Hard Fitting for final assembly, etc. This process resulted in a randomization of serial numbers and why many revolvers with lower numbers were shipped long after those with a higher number.

In late spring 1957, S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Department, which helped a little, but randomization of serial numbers still occurred.

Bill

 

[Elroy]

FWIW, I have S1664xx which is not model marked but shipped in Nov 1958. May have sat of a shelf for a while.

Additional data:

S1667XX is a non model marked 5 screw. Don't have a shipping date

 

[CJS57]

Here is Model 1955 Serial S130,xxx. New thread started with more pictures.

 

[Rick Bowles]

Mine is #143455. The cokes aren't original equipment but I think I'll keep'em.

 

[Doug M.]

My M58 was shipped more than a decade after the SN was assigned . I bought it in 1978 or '79, but its # is S327XXX. Such stuff happens, and I suspect more often with low volume sellers. A firm prediction based on serial # is possible, but depending on a bunch of variables, may be spot on or way off.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I own two pre-25s, one with the 'W' mainspring, the other with standard main spring. The 'W' gun has SN S160584 and the other gun is S 165574. I have not lettered or got shipping dates for either.

It is important to point out that during much of this same period, S&W was introducing at least two other N-frames that were strong sellers. I refer to the 44 Magnum and the Highway Patrolman which were being produced in large numbers to meet demand, not to mention other N-frame offerings.
While trying to guess manufactured dates and shipping dates is the favorite pass time on the forum, it simply can not be done with certainty.

Roy Jinks has told us many times, frames were produced and serial numbered, placed in inventory and used to make many different models randomly.

 

[flundertaker]

Trying to convince a neckbeard at a gunshow that his "early" gun based only on SN may not be quite as early as he thinks is futile. I have given up trying. No letter no premium for age. S>N but that's about it, and hence why I throw $50's Roy's way to nail it down for better or worse.

For what its worth I have a letter inbound, hopefully in the next 30 days, for Pre 25 S1605xx.

 

[RASelkirk]

New guy here and I'll start a new thread on my 1955, but the number is S143450. Very close to some in this thread...

Russ

 

[tommy F]

Stand catalog of SW suggests sn176000 started 1957. My 1955 sn1668xx and is a 5 screw & Pre 29 is sn1697xx and 4 screw. Supports suggestion

 

[flundertaker]

Trying to convince a neckbeard at a gunshow that his "early" gun based only on SN may not be quite as early as he thinks is futile. I have given up trying. No letter no premium for age. S>N but that's about it, and hence why I throw $50's Roy's way to nail it down for better or worse.

For what its worth I have a letter inbound, hopefully in the next 30 days, for Pre 25 S1605xx.

Thanks for bumping this thread. Reminded me to update. My pre 25 S1605XX shipped Feb 21, 1958. The frame clearly sat on the back of the shelf for some time before being put together. Interesting the guy who ordered a Model 25 actually got a pre model.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Hammerdown]

Model numbers were assigned by Smith & Wesson in 1957. That doesn't mean that all 1955 revolvers sold after that date were stamped M25 on the frame.

Hello
That is very True, the Model of 1955 was a slow Mover and finding an exact Number would be very hard to do. Here is one that is a pre-25 Non Model stamped and in Five screw variation that shipped in December of 1959. This is Proof that not all Gun's were model stamped after 1957 Nor were they in Four screw configuration. MR Jink's told me that mine was built on the Pre-29 Frame as they had a surplus of them on hand to use, so the frame is heat Treated. Here is mine Regards, Hammerdown