This One Won't Letter. . .

[22hipower]

This one won't letter but in many ways it looks good enough, to me anyway, to be factory work.

A 5 inch 1950 Target 45 ACP barrel (no SN in the ejector shroud) and a McGivern bead, a 45 ACP cylinder (no SN) and a bright blue finish that is the equal of many of my factory originals.

I can't tell if the barrel is an original 5 inch or cut, although the crown and front sight look very much like those on my 6.5 inch pre-26 and the roll marks are centered. Anyone see any telltale features one way or the other?

How do I know it won't letter? The frame is a 28-2 from 1966/67.

I'm sure there were shops in the '70s/'80s that could do this good a job of bluing but probably not too many. There are no factory service stamps anywhere or any others that would indicate who might have done the work.

Your observations on any aspects I may have overlooked and thoughts as to who might have been capable of doing the work are welcome.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qmUHGL https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qmTsMA https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qmNZqa https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qmTsMv https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Only thing I'd say: "Shoot it!"

Those cokes are a definite plus.

Hard not to like a 5 inch N frame with a lot of desireable qualities that any shooter would enjoy: 5 inch standard not heavy barrel, bead front sight, standard narrow trigger and hammer, 45 acp. Reminds me of many of Taffin's descriptions of a Perfect Packin' Pistol.

 

[H Richard]

Whoever had the work done did it right! What a great gun. a "packing" target pistol.

 

[RKmesa]

That gun pegs the cool meter!!! The proportions are perfect, the Cokes look great, the craftsmanship is flawless and if this is one of the Jon Maxwell collection, I can believe the work was done at the factory. Congrats on that one. I love it!

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Marshal Tom]

I'll take it!!!

 

[handejector]

VERY nice work, but it does not look Factory to me. The crown is not quite a Factory radius, and the polishing is not quite Factory looking to me. The bead sticks out further than any Factory McGivern bead I have ever seen and has less radius than Factory McGiverns- it is 'flatter'.

 

[22hipower]

VERY nice work, but it does not look Factory to me. The crown is not quite a Factory radius, and the polishing is not quite Factory looking to me. The bead sticks out further than any Factory McGivern bead I have ever seen and has less radius than Factory McGiverns- it is 'flatter'.

Thanks Lee, that's exactly the kind of detailed information I was hoping to learn.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Shotguncoach]

I'm glad you hit that one…I was watching it too.

 

[Xfuzz]

This is your lucky day....
It just so happens...I am paying $250.00
for Frankenstein Smiths.
Today only.

 

[stansdds]

It sure looks nice, but not a factory piece. Might be a great shooter.

 

[22hipower]

It sure looks nice, but not a factory piece. Might be a great shooter.

It's as tight as the proverbial bank vault and has a great trigger. I'll shoot it next week and find out.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Kansasgunner]

That's a very cool conversion, it could find a home with me anytime.
Congratulations on that one!

 

[bigmtnman]

I will share my honest first thought on seeing your new acquisition .......
"Oh yeah baby ...... come to papa !!"

 

[wbraswell]

I'm usually pretty conservative on Friday, and loosen up on Sat. and Sun. I saw that and knew pretty much what it was, but I didn't notice the cokes. It looks real nice. It was nice to meet you, Jeff. I wish I had hung around and seen what you picked up, but I had to hit the road back to Texarkana area. May see you again at another auction or show in East Texas.

 

[22hipower]

I'm usually pretty conservative on Friday, and loosen up on Sat. and Sun. I saw that and knew pretty much what it was, but I didn't notice the cokes. It looks real nice. It was nice to meet you, Jeff. I wish I had hung around and seen what you picked up, but I had to hit the road back to Texarkana area. May see you again at another auction or show in East Texas.

Likewise, enjoyed meeting you if only briefly, perhaps we'll have more time to talk next time. Looking forward to seeing what you hauled back to Texarkana.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very very nice! It's the kind of revolver many of us wish that S&W had manufactured as a standard model. The modifications are very cool on that polished 28-2 frame, and the Cokes are a big plus. Polish up that front sight bead and get to the range! Enjoy!

 

[rct269]

Well I got a letter on everything. Needless to say, the majority were "plain vanilla" letters-------the majority, not all. Every now and then one popped up that told you they sort of could document the goings-on---and sort of couldn't. The very best of those that sort of couldn't was a seemingly kosher gun delivered to a foreman, but they weren't sure of which foreman; and they couldn't explain how some of the features on the gun popped up in the middle of a production run of those without them.

The consensus was this gun had a little unauthorized help here and there along the way---from special friends.

It is the way of things when humans are involved.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[22hipower]

Well I got a letter on everything. Needless to say, the majority were "plain vanilla" letters-------the majority, not all. Every now and then one popped up that told you they sort of could document the goings-on---and sort of couldn't. The very best of those that sort of couldn't was a seemingly kosher gun delivered to a foreman, but they weren't sure of which foreman; and they couldn't explain how some of the features on the gun popped up in the middle of a production run of those without them.

The consensus was this gun had a little unauthorized help here and there along the way---from special friends.

It is the way of things when humans are involved.

Ralph Tremaine

I'll take Lee's word for it that it's not factory work but it is some of the best I've seen outside the factory.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Nedroe]

This One......

Was worked over by Hamilton Bowen.




It is also a converted 28.
My understanding is that he had the capability to center the roll stamping.

Ned

 

[22hipower]

Looks great, and shoots that way too I suspect. Thanks for sharing it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457