Model 18 Full Lug

[Cardboard_killer]

There's a guy on another forum I belong to offering a S&W Model 18 no dash with a full lug and a 6" barrel. I'm sure such a thing is possible, but were any built that way?

Here is the picture he is using (from gunbroker?). The guy is a long time, respected member of the forum, otherwise I would think he was scamming someone.

 

[arjay]

The barrel is far newer than the gun

 

[TAROMAN]

Frankengun albeit a pretty nice one.
If the price were low, I'd consider it.

 

[josywales]

Hmm..something to look out for. I learned from our experts here, that the full underlugs are desirable, especially in a Model 17 4". Looks like maybe folks are putting their own full lugs on revolvers.

If the bluing matched up, the gun functions AND the price were right, I'd be tempted as a nice shooter.

 

[woodsltc]

Interesting gun....would make a nice conversation piece.

I would think the barrel had to be modified in order to be pinned to the frame. Wonder if any other modifications were necessary?


Don

 

[Goblin]

I wonder how the top of the barrel mates with the top of the frame. If it looks nice I'd buy it. I wouldn't pay a premium for it.

 

[old bear]

O/P, it sounds and looks like a Fankengun. Unless it;s dirt cheap and all you want is a shooter, stay away.

 

[saemetric]

Possible mis stamped frame model no?

 

[younggun22]

I saw that as well on another forum.

he says its a no dash Mod. 18 which would make the stocks wrong, and the barrel very very wrong.

Nice shooter? sure but not for what he is asking....

 

[pharmer]

I'd go $300-$400, but I'm cheap. The barrel was probably mounted and then drilled for the pin, shouldn't create any problem. It would certainly generate conversation at "show and tell." I'd like to have it. Joe

 

[lowriderfxr]

It's simply a model 18, with a model 17-6, 6" barrel screwed into it. The only modification necessary would be to cut a channel in the threads where the pin would come through. That's all the factory did and it was very crude looking actually. After that they put on a set of early 80s targets and there you go.

 

[zonker5]

Before we all jump up and say "fake" let's remember S&W has done some specials. Only way to know for sure with this critter is to spend the money and get it lettered.

 

[jack the toad]

Purely a guess and a WAG at that but that's a Lou Morton limited run (only 1) M17.5
aka; factory M18 w/ newer M17 barrel added later.
ETA:
Don't confuse Lew Horton with Lou Morton, who was a decent backroom gunsmith in his own right.

 

[k22fan]

Before we all jump up and say "fake" let's remember S&W has done some specials. Only way to know for sure with this critter is to spend the money and get it lettered.

Look at the front of the trigger guard. It has the 4th screw that was not used after about 1961. S&W made their first full lug barrels for the L frame 586/686 in the late 1970s and their first full lug .22 barrels in the late 1980s. While weld could have been added, since the front of its top strap is not beveled to match a Model 18's narrow barrel rib it looks like an early Model 17 or Pre-17 frame.

Fortunately, the name Model 18 has only been used for light tapered barrel .22 K frames.

 

[clang444]

It's simply a model 18, with a model 17-6, 6" barrel screwed into it. The only modification necessary would be to cut a channel in the threads where the pin would come through. That's all the factory did and it was very crude looking actually. After that they put on a set of early 80s targets and there you go.

+1

The full underlug didn't become a thing with S&W until the L frame 586s were manufactured. Model 18-nothing was made 1957-1958. The 586 came out 1980.

It's either rebarrelled or a terribly miss-marked 17-6. That or they found an old M18 frame in the vault when they were producing 17-6s and added it into production, but I doubt the frame would have been already stamped M18.

 

[k22fan]

Barrels have not "NEEDED" pins since 1958 - according to Mr. Jinks.

Barrels never needed pins. They have always been installed the same way. The pins usually only touched the frame, not the barrel. They could only stop a loose barrel from rotating very far. I have seen a 1937 .45's barrel rotated so far that the front locking lug would not engage but its pin could still be easily tapped in and out. The trough cut across its barrel threads for the pin still has all its bluing. The troughs were cut large enough for the pin passing freely through to never be a consideration while installing barrels.

 

[Camster]

I'd go $300-$400, but I'm cheap. The barrel was probably mounted and then drilled for the pin, shouldn't create any problem. It would certainly generate conversation at "show and tell." I'd like to have it. Joe

Frame drilled and tapped for that sight too,I reckon...or it could just be a misidentified 17-6 six incher..

 

[H Richard]

Someone has sharp eyes, I didn't notice the front trigger guard screw until you mentioned it. That leaves no question, new barrel on old gun. Looks like it was done well, and will probably make a great shooter. Would have the same balance as my 617-6 which I really like.

 

[sodacan]

Before we all jump up and say "fake" let's remember S&W has done some specials. Only way to know for sure with this critter is to spend the money and get it lettered.

To call it a "fake" would be a misnomer, after all it is a real gun. It is however, an amalgam of revolvers of different eras and would be of no interest to me at any price. A really nice pre-18 was sacrificed to make it. No way it came from the factory in that configuration. Getting it lettered would be a waste of money.

 

[Camster]

To call it a "fake" would be a misnomer, after all it is a real gun. It is however, an amalgam of revolvers of different eras and would be of no interest to me at any price. A really nice pre-18 was sacrificed to make it. No way it came from the factory in that configuration. Getting it lettered would be a waste of money.

A nice pre 18 or a pre 18 with a messed up barrel.We'll never know.