Value of nice Model 1955 ?

gunteach · Sep 12, 2009

Another member of the collection that I will be selling for a family friend.. This Model 1955 is in super (85%+) condition as the pics show. Please note the following... Red sight insert glued to front sight, blueing wear at muzzle and triggerguard near grips... Serial # 785XX Any info on birthday and value is appreciated..

29-1 · Sep 12, 2009

Value on pre-25

Nice looking pre-25. The number you posted is an assembly number. Take the stocks off and look on the butt for the actual serial number. Also check inside the grip panels for a stamped number which might correspond to the serial number. Value in 85% + is 800-1000 This is what I would pay for it anyway.
Chuck

peyton · Sep 12, 2009

Is this a 45 ACP revolver?

Allen-frame · Sep 12, 2009

on the slim chance that it is one of the rare 45 Colt 55 targets ,just check with a round of 45 a.c.p. and see if the cartridge stops in the cylinder.
Chuck is spot on about $800. up, all depending on how motivated the buyer is.
The serial number should start with anj S and have 6 numbers following it. It was either made in 1955 56 or early 57 as the upper sideplate screw was deleted in the fall of 1957.

Good luck ,,Allen

gunteach · Sep 12, 2009

Sorry about serial number - I went by the list I recieved with firearms.. Correct # S 1664XX It is 45acp...

Allen-frame · Sep 12, 2009

I paid $1000. for a nice example with period correct non relieved diamond targets. The grips have value by themselves.

It appears to me , in your pictures that the grips on your gun have been rounded on the bottom edge. This will make them easier on the hands but as with any modification of this type .destroys collector value.

Removing the grips from the equation ,with the bluing loss , I'd estimate the value to be between $600. and $800. Again ,as a shooter.

S166xxx was most likely shipped in early 1957.

Good luck ,,Al

Elroy · Sep 15, 2012

Here's the target model 1955 in 45 ACP i recently purchased. This is the weapon the LGS recorded the assembly number as the serial number on the transfer documents.

Five screw pre-model 25 serial number S1667xx. That serial number is why I posted at this thread

It's no cream puff but then again it's going on 60 years old

The cylinder has the most finish wear

Muzzle has some finish wear as well. About the same on both sides

The stocks have a few issues as well. The screws is recessed from excessive tightening. What do you guys use to get rid of that green tarnish ??

The right hand stock has a gash in the checkering

But the biggest problem with the stocks is a big chip at the top of the left hand horn. It looks like it was filled in with plastic wood and scrapped off taking the finish with it

So where would you guys rate the condition of this example?? I know it tough to do but I'm just looking for general opinions and approximate value. I think I paid a little too much but then again large caliber pre-model five screws don't come around all that often locally.

What do you $ay ???

Art Doc · Sep 15, 2012

Elroy- Did you inform the dealer of his mistake? If you don't he could be in hot water someday with the ATF and possibly lose his license. They love to yank FFLs for record keeping errors.

Really? $800 for an 85% example? I was thinking $600. But then, I am no longer shocked at gun prices.

Elroy · Sep 28, 2012

SaxonPig said:
Elroy- Did you inform the dealer of his mistake? If you don't he could be in hot water someday with the ATF and possibly lose his license. They love to yank FFLs for record keeping errors.

I did in fact point out to them the number was wrong:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/267819-serial-number-transfer-documents.html

The way I look at it, I made the purchase through a licensed shop and it's their responsibility to get the paper work right and to ensure their supplier is legitimate.

The sales receipt that reflects the assembly number that documents where I got it is under lock and key.

Hammerdown · Sep 29, 2012

Allen-frame said:
I paid $1000. for a nice example with period correct non relieved diamond targets. The grips have value by themselves.

It appears to me , in your pictures that the grips on your gun have been rounded on the bottom edge. This will make them easier on the hands but as with any modification of this type .destroys collector value.

Removing the grips from the equation ,with the bluing loss , I'd estimate the value to be between $600. and $800. Again ,as a shooter.

S166xxx was most likely shipped in early 1957.

Good luck ,,Al

Hello Al
It has been said several time in the past that We can not always' depend on serial Number's bank's as to when a Gun really shipped. Case in Point is my Model of 1955 .45 Hand eject shown below. It has serial number S-1617XX and shipped in April 1959, of which I was shocked to learn a Five screw gun would ship this late, and it must be this one was Far Back in the safe at S&W to have shipped this late. I found it at one of my local Honey hole's just sitting there in the Glass covered case calling out to me. A deal was struck after some Heavy haggling for $600.00 Out the Door. I noticed when I first looked at it in the gun shop that it's barrel looked to be a little short as I was told Most Model of 1955 .45 Hand eject's came with a 6-1/2" Barrel, and this Gun had a set of Non Relieved diamond Target's on it made of Gancalo-Alves wood. This one's Barrel Measures a True 5-7/8" and to tell ya the Truth that is what caught my eye and Prompted my Purchase of it. I have not lettered it, nor Plan to, Nor would it matter to me as it is My Favorite Range gun and showed me much promise with my own Hand Loads shortly after I got it as it is shown here below....with a six shot group it produced using Rainier semi wad cutter 200 Grain Bullets and 4.0 Grain's of Accurate Arm's # 7 Powder.....I had Read where Accurate Arm's had developed this powder for the .45 ACP round prior to using it, and it sure showed some positive result's on Target

JSR III · Sep 29, 2012

A 5 7/8" barrel would be considered a 6" barrel in terms of S&W. They did make them with a 5" barrel so it is also possible that a 6" barrel was made. Since most were 6 1/2", I might consider lettering that one.

Art Doc · Sep 29, 2012

A 5" 1955? Where is that? Never seen or heard of it. Ramp or Patridge sight? One of a kind or part of a special run?

Art Doc · Sep 29, 2012

Elroy- I never said you or any other buyer was at fault. Yes, the seller has the responsibility to get it right. But if he errs, unless you hate him and want to go out of business, you should inform him of the mistake. If he ignores your warning, then he's an idiot and on his own in my book.

DGT · Sep 29, 2012

Just for reference, I have S143280 which was shipped October 1955. I would tend to agree that yours is a 1957 gun.

Hammerdown · Sep 30, 2012

SaxonPig said:
A 5" 1955? Where is that? Never seen or heard of it. Ramp or Patridge sight? One of a kind or part of a special run?

Hello
In 1959 a Dozen gun's shipped to Rex Firearms as special ordered 5" examples. These Gun's are Rarely seen {I have seen one example} it belonged to a Smith & Wesson Collector's Association member, But this gun is certainly Not one of them as they shipped Later than my gun I believe July 1959 is when they shipped out. The special run of 5" examples are very pricey when they do turn up. I had another Smith & Wesson Forum member look at my Barrel stamp's as it has the Lazy Ampersand's, so that rules out a barrel change on my gun. Perhaps' the day it was made they simply used a shorter barrel, S&W was well Known to use what was on hand rather than waste part's but as I said it does not matter as I bought it as a Shooter not a collectible piece and Five screw variation's in high Polished blue do not show up often in my neck of the woods...The Target hammer is certainly correct in it's width and angle of a late 1950's style hammer...

Art Doc · Sep 30, 2012

You're guessing it's original and haven't lettered it? Considering the value potential I would wait about... oh... 2 seconds before dropping the $50 on the letter.

Hammerdown · Sep 30, 2012

SaxonPig said:
You're guessing it's original and haven't lettered it? Considering the value potential I would wait about... oh... 2 seconds before dropping the $50 on the letter.

Hello
I am Not Guessing. It has been confirmed that my gun's serial is not one of the Twelve that shipped to Rex Firearms. That's one of the advantage's of Being a Smith & Wesson collector member. You really should become one, it removes much of the mystery and is of one of the best S&W Collector association's to be a member of...

and I will say it again, I Bought the gun to Shoot and Hunt with not as a collectible piece it is Deadly accurate and deserves to be shot & enjoyed...

Art Doc · Oct 1, 2012

So you are sure it's not original? None were made other than the 12 mentioned? I misunderstood and thought you were speculating it was original.

Hammerdown · Oct 2, 2012

SaxonPig said:
So you are sure it's not original? None were made other than the 12 mentioned? I misunderstood and thought you were speculating it was original.

Hello Saxon
It appears to be original to me as the barrel does not show sign's to be hacked, chopped, or altered, what ever phrase fit's into that altered Category, and as I said the Lazy Ampersand's show to be time period correct on the barrel and all stamping's are in their Proper Location, meaning nothing is off center on this barrel suggesting a possible cut barrel. I do Know that it is not one of the Dozen special order 5" examples that shipped to Rex Firearm's as my serial number does not fall into the Range of those Twelve that were produced for them, it is a slightly earlier number. Most Model of 1955 Hand eject .45 revolver's have the 6-1/2" barrels as was standard for them, but this one does not and is clearly a 5-7/8" length. Scarse, Rare, hardly seen, seldom found, or Fluke, I don't know and as I said I bought to shoot, carry and ejoy hunting in the wood's with so it really does not matter to me how it came to be.....I do Know that the later Model of 1955 Barrel's have different style of Ampersand used in their barrel stamping's so that cancel's out a Later made barrel Placed on this revolver, as if that was the case this one would have the more modern style Ampersand's on it and it's Barrel Pin appears to be unmolested, so I would speculate that this slightly shorter barrel may have been lying around and S&W Put it to use rather than scrap it, as they were Not Known to Waste any Part's back then if they could be used...

Value of nice Model 1955 ?

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