Post Office pre M45

[JudgeColt]

Did anyone notice in the BDGreen S&W letter that the revolver is referred to as a PRE M-45? I'll have to check my M-45 letter.
SWCA 892

I am pedantic in regard to nomenclature. It DOES make a difference. When one orders a Coke, one does not want a Pepsi. When a Colt person uses the military "Model 1911" nomenclature when referring to a civilian Government Model, the difference is very important and should not happen.

I cannot believe a person of Mr. Jink's stature would use "Pre-Model" nomenclature. I realize everyone knows what it means, and it IS convenient, but that does not make it right - especially in an archive letter. I have returned a letter on an early Bodyguard (a "Pre-Model 38" for those on the other side of this issue) because the gun was described as a "Pre-Model 38," with NO reference to the name "Bodyguard." The letter was signed by "Don Mundell, Assistant Historian." I assumed (that word again) that the error was Mr. Mundell's, but it appears Mr. Jinks has now gone over to that dark side as well. It has now been ten months since I requested the correction with no response. Obviously, my request is being ignored. Disappointing.

 

[larryofcc]

I am pedantic in regard to nomenclature. It DOES make a difference. When one orders a Coke, one does not want a Pepsi. When a Colt person uses the military "Model 1911" nomenclature when referring to a civilian Government Model, the difference is very important and should not happen.

I cannot believe a person of Mr. Jink's stature would use "Pre-Model" nomenclature. I realize everyone knows what it means, and it IS convenient, but that does not make it right - especially in an archive letter. I have returned a letter on an early Bodyguard (a "Pre-Model 38" for those on the other side of this issue) because the gun was described as a "Pre-Model 38," with NO reference to the name "Bodyguard." The letter was signed by "Don Mundell, Assistant Historian." I assumed (that word again) that the error was Mr. Mundell's, but it appears Mr. Jinks has now gone over to that dark side as well. It has now been ten months since I requested the correction with no response. Obviously, my request is being ignored. Disappointing.

In reference to Mr. Mundell, he made an error, although very small, on a letter for my 1968 vintage M41. I told him about it and received a corrected letter immediately. I have every confidence in both Mr. Mundell and Dr. Jinks. The good Dr. can call my guns anything he wants. We can all read between the lines. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

What do you call it?

A LOT OF FUN TO SHOOT!!!

 

[DWalt]

And who hasn't seen historical letters which describe an M&P from, let's say, 1937 (or any year after 1914 and before WWII) as being a Model of 1905, fourth change?

 

[JP@AK]

And who hasn't seen historical letters which describe an M&P from, let's say, 1937 (or any year after 1914 and before WWII) as being a Model of 1905, fourth change?

The Ghost of Roper Past still haunts us! And probably will long after we are taking dirt naps.

 

[larryofcc]

The Ghost of Roper Past still haunts us! And probably will long after we are taking dirt naps.

No dirt nap for me. I'm being cremated and scattered. Big Larry

 

[bdGreen]

Did anyone notice in the BDGreen S&W letter that the revolver is referred to as a PRE M-45? I'll have to check my M-45 letter.
SWCA 892

I must confess.

That letter is actually NOT for that gun.

It was in the same directory on my PC, but, I have not figured out why.

That gun IS A Model 45 stamped gun with no dash.

It is a four screw.

It was shipped in JUNE, 1959.

My bad.
Just have these laying all over the place, hard to keep them organized.

bdGreen

 

[bdGreen]

That sure is close to mine. Does it have PC stocks?
The M45 is scarcer than most S&W's.
I once saw a 6"er for sale at a Cabelas, but it was long sold by the time I called them. Those are extremely rare.
This, and my NIB Combat Magnum, are the highlight of my meager S&W collection. Thanks all. Big Larry

The six inch guns are pretty unique.

Beautiful also.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

 

[bdGreen]

And, this is what Smith did to ship them. Ha.

Do what you gotta do.

bdGreen

 

[larryofcc]

Wow, looks like you got every box made. No wonder I cannot find one. That must have taken years to collect.
That's about as cool as it can get. Thanks for sharing. Big Larry

 

[Bill Bates]

What do you call it?

A LOT OF FUN TO SHOOT!!!

For sure. I love shooting my shooter grade .22 Military & Police sn# C3602XX. Call them what you want Post Office .22 / Pre Model 45 or .22 M&P it is fun revolver that should have been part of Smith & Wesson regular product line. There is something to be said for fixed sight revolvers.

 

[Shrike6]

After I bought my 5 screw, .357 magnum n-frame, non-model marked,
I sent for a letter. I believed then that this n-frame .357 magnum is correctly called just that ( or pre-27). Now, the serial number is S173XXX, and the shipping department marked the invoice for 8 of these as M27.
So, the letter came back calling it a M27. Given the configuration of my gun, I had correspondence with Mr. Munden about it. His position was, the serial number, the date shipped, and the shipping clerk's calling it a M27, made it a M27. My contention is that it is a 5 screw frame with no model marking anywhere, and these physical characteristics describe a .357magnum ( or pre-27). I subsequently received a letter from Mr. Cross on SWHF letterhead, calling my gun a .357 magnum pre-27. The letter states that it was referred to as a M27 by the shipping department based on when it shipped. The serial number is in the range of M-27s, but was probably stamped after the assembled gun was brought out of stock, as a few other 5 screws were. Thus, a difference of opinion exists on what to call various guns leaving the factory. So, in my opinion, a 5 screw unstamped n-frame that was found in stock, stamped with a serial number a year or more after it was built, is a .357 magnum ( pre-27) rather than a M-27. Regardless of what the shipping department put on the invoice.
There seems to be differences of opinion on what various guns may be called, which vary from the expected configuration. My opinion is that the physical characteristics should determine the accurate nomenclature.
I am no expert on S&W matters, but there seems to be some variations in production which are grey areas. Thus the confusion on the proper naming of individual guns which vary in configuration. Just my .02

 

[DWalt]

Or it could also be called an unstamped M27. i.e., it was made and shipped during which time it is known that stamped M27s were shipped. But for some reason it was not model stamped.

 

[Shrike6]

Or it could also be called an unstamped M27. i.e., it was made and shipped during which time it is known that stamped M27s were shipped. But for some reason it was not model stamped.

And, it's a 5 screw. But it is believed that there were some 5 screw n frames made and subsequently serialized and sent out much later. Others have noted theirs are like mine.