I have a pre model 26 model of 1950 on the barrel. It is a 45 ACP version with factory lanyard and optional brite blue finish. Both are rare, but it has a 4 screw frame not the 5 screw. Seller and historian said they have never seen a model of 1950 with a 4 screw. Any thoughts?
Any Experts On Pre Model 26 I'm Confused
- Thread starter AC Man
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Can you give us the serial number range? I'm guessing it's higher than 167,000. Based on the shared serial number range, there must have been a few made with 4 screw.
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Serial number is 177688 which would put it at 1958 well after they started giving them model numbers, My research shows they dropped the 5th screw in 1956. The whole thing doesn't make sense.
I think it is a Frankenstien made of transitional parts. Still don't know why a 4 screw is not known. Gun was produced till 1961 as the model 26,
I think it is a Frankenstien made of transitional parts. Still don't know why a 4 screw is not known. Gun was produced till 1961 as the model 26,
S&W's practice of "first in...last out", not manufactured in SN sequence, use up those parts are just a few things that come to mind.
In S&W's records S177688 is a Model 28 with a 4-inch barrel and butt swivel, stamped GSP on the frame. It is one of 100 shipped in July 1958 for the Georgia State Patrol.
There is only one lettered Model 26 known to collectors. It has serial number S193801 and a 4-screw frame. Even though the 1950 45 Target was not dropped by S&W until 1961, it was not very popular with only 2768 units being sold.
Bill
There is only one lettered Model 26 known to collectors. It has serial number S193801 and a 4-screw frame. Even though the 1950 45 Target was not dropped by S&W until 1961, it was not very popular with only 2768 units being sold.
Bill
AC man, can you check the serial numbers on your gun. This does not seem to be adding up. Look for serial numbers on the barrel, frame, cylinder, etc.
I wonder if you gave us the wrong serial number?
Bill, this would be an EPIC misidentification. We have a mystery for sure!
Gun Relics...True, but if S177688 is the correct serial number, that is what the records show. Apparently, the original barrel has been replaced with a 1950 45 Target barrel and most likely the cylinder since a Model 28 cylinder would have charge holes with recessed headspace. Seems like it would have been easier to find an original 1950 45 Target revolver.
Bill
Bill
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OutAtTheEdge
Member
There's been nothing mentioned about the model number stamping in the yoke cut. Surely a 4-screw N-frame would be so marked, wouldn't it?
Aside from that, everything else points to customized gun. The "optional bright blue finish" is likely a nice professional reblue, and the fact that it has the lanyard swivel really would be consistent with Bill's findings.
Aside from that, everything else points to customized gun. The "optional bright blue finish" is likely a nice professional reblue, and the fact that it has the lanyard swivel really would be consistent with Bill's findings.
With this serial number, that would be just before the model numbers were stamped, so all this is possible. If the serial number is accurate, you are correct - a highly customized N frame that started life as a pre-model 28. In this case, the serial numbers typically would not match on the barrel and cylinder unless added.
OK, let me set the weird record straight. The serial number is in fact 177688 the frame, cylinder, and butt. It is a 6.5" barrel not 4". Has a factory lanyard, optional brite blue finish, and has model of 1950 on the barrel. There is no model number stamped.
It is also near mint condition. It has not been altered.
It is also near mint condition. It has not been altered.
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No serial number on the barrel/inside the ejector shroud? That might be consistent with a 4-screw frame … just asking.
OK, but the biggie is the barrel . What is the serial number on the barrel? It should have one and from the sounds of it, I don't think it will match. Probably best to get this straightened out because somebody will letter the gun at some time if they haven't tried already.
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You lost me. I don't have any serial numbers on the barrel? It is stamped model of 1950 and is chambered in 45 acp. Are you talking about the crane, frame, butt? they are all matching. I don't have any revolvers with a serial number on the barrel.
Is there one under the barrel or in the shroud, behind the cylinder rod?
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Again the serial number on the cylinder, frame, and butt are all the same and barrel is 6.5" stamped model of 1950 45 cal. The seller on Gunbroker and his distributer were at a loss and they had never seen one with a 4 screw frame. Not impossible, but the serial number is another oddity.
Yes but hard to read, even with a enlarged photo. Besides, that's not a serial number. Maybe a production part number.
That's the problem. Here is one from an earlier 1950 .45 - it has the full serial number. I have other 4 screw N frames from your time period and they all have the full serial number clearly stamped in the shroud.
Maybe contact the seller and let them know the problem? Maybe PM Doc here and see if he would be kind enough to send you a copy of the factory invoice?
I'm trying to come up with suggestions but this gun sounds like a beautiful and interesting custom. If it checks out that it is a custom, it may not be an original collectible but it will always be an excellent revolver.
By the way, this is the fear of lettering a valuable gun. To find out it wasn't what we thought is all of our greatest fears and we've all experienced it one way or another. I had a pristine WW1 Colt .45 that I was told was the original finish. It turned out it was completely refinished. Somehow, I knew it was too good to be true. That's OK, a lot of collectors want it anyway.
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An SWHF letter followed by a “deep dive” research may unlock the mystery, or might not.
And if you’re dealing in 4-screw .45 Target models of 1950, consider joining the SWCA and SWHF. Just sayin’.
And if you’re dealing in 4-screw .45 Target models of 1950, consider joining the SWCA and SWHF. Just sayin’.
