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06-04-2010, 07:24 PM
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S&W Model of 1950 in 45 ACP with 4" barrel
Today I saw a nice S&W Model of 1950 in 45 ACP. I would rate it 97-98%. It has the sideplate screw up next to the hammer, and was manufactured before Smith stamped model numbers on revolvers. The grips are original.
I might be able to buy it but before I did, I wanted to ask someone who knows about the barrel length and value. It is 4" instead of 6-1/2" which I am used to seeing. The barrel appears not to be cut, but I do realize some good gunsmiths can do near perfert work.
My question is, was the Model of 1950 made with a 4" barrel? Also, in your opinion, what would be a fair value for the gun?
Thank you in advance,
Rafter-S
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06-04-2010, 08:06 PM
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The book says 4, 5 and some 5 1/2 were made. Sounds like a gun that would benefit from a Jinks letter.
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06-04-2010, 08:51 PM
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Pictures would be nice.
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06-04-2010, 09:10 PM
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Remember to measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder. A 5" barrel will measure out 4" if you don't .....
5" is the most common length
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06-04-2010, 09:13 PM
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Is this the Target model or the Military model?
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06-04-2010, 09:29 PM
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I would love to have a 25 in .45 ACP in 4". This is probably as close to a "one shot stop"er that a revolver can get. Maybe the perfect packin' pistol.
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06-04-2010, 09:39 PM
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The fixed-sight M&P version of the Model of 1950 (or Pre-22) came with a 5.5" barrel. This model is the short-action version of the Model of 1917, for which 5.5" was always the standard barrel length.
The target version of the Model of 1950 (Pre-26) came mostly with the 6.5" barrel, but some (as noted above) 4" and 5" barrels are reported.
Later on in the production run some Model of 1955 guns (Model 25, heavy barrel) were mismarked as Model of 1950 revolvers. But that was after the five-screw era.
If the gun you saw is in original configuration, the price could be quite high. If the barrel has been replaced or altered, the value is less.
So back to you: four-inch barrel or longer? Fixed sight or target? Heavy barrel or tapered? And if you don't want it, what's the name and address of the dealer?
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06-04-2010, 10:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Is this the Target model or the Military model?
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I am sorry but I don't know the difference. it has the original blue (not a deep, rich blue like a Model 27) with S&W wood checkered grips (the old small type). It has a target style hammer and adjustable sights. If I had to guess, I would say it is not a military model.
Rafter-S
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06-04-2010, 10:53 PM
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Rafter-S,
It would be to your advantage to have them hold that pistol for you, take pictures and submit them here for inspection. There are several folks here who are experts at this and you might be looking at a rare and collectable S&W for what seems to be a good price.
If the price is cheap enough it is worth it regardless of the barrel length and sight configuration.
Regards.
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06-04-2010, 11:24 PM
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Rafter-S, yes, with adjustable sights the gun is a target model, which excludes the Pre-22.
Another thing that might be useful to know is the gun's serial number. A postwar N-frame serial number should begin with the letter S and have either a five or six-digit number between about S80000 and S160000.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say the "old style" small checkered grips. If you mean the magna stocks that come up over the sideplate and frame but are smaller than target stocks, that would be correct for the gun. But if you mean the prewar service stocks that were shorter and had a half-round top that fitted exactly to the frame profile, those would be incorrect for any gun that was called a "Model of 1950."
Sounds like an intriguing gun, and as Semperfi71 said, it could be uncommon and quite valuable. But we can't know until we get a little more information (and best of all, pictures, if that is possible).
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06-14-2010, 04:42 PM
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As an update, I went back and measured the barrel. It has been cut (unfortunately) to 4-1/2" from its original 6-1/2". The front sight was re-installed so well that it is hard to tell the barrel length is not original. I committed and secured the deal anyway. I realize it is not a bargain, and does not have collector value, but it's a nice old gun that I wanted...and don't mind putting $550 into.
It will come out of the required hold time for pawnshops on Wednesday and I can pick it up.
Thanks for your inputs.
Rafter-S
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06-14-2010, 05:08 PM
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Take heart, Rafter-S, My Pre-26 has been buggered way more than yours and I've come to hold her right dear. Mine's had the dadgum cylinder chopped so short military hardball sticks out the front of the cylinder and one heck of an accurate aftermarket barrel has been installed. I've been told it's a Douglas, but I neither know or care.
IIRC, the dealer didn't have a clue as to what it was and sold it to me for $425 OTD. That was 4 or 5 years ago and I've never regretted a nickel of the money. She's much like the 1917s with the shortened cylinders Mr. Keith showed in Sixguns.
Not even close to original, but the action's silky smooth and the barrel's extremely accurate. If yours brings you half as much pleasure as mine has, you will have made a good decision.
Enjoy!!
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06-14-2010, 11:01 PM
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R-S,
Don't let people tell you the gun has no collector value. Being cut down it is not as valuable as if it were original but from your description it was a well done job and the gun is in good condition. A 5 screw N-frame in that condition is worth more to many of us than any of the newer S&Ws being sold for near a $1000 these days. I think you got an excellent buy at $550 for the gun you described. Others will no doubt differ but I'd buy it for that any day.
Dave
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Last edited by Dave T; 08-28-2017 at 11:45 AM.
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06-15-2010, 09:50 AM
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They did make 1950 Targets with 4" bbls. I have one which letters as one of two to the state of Maine. I think I did a post on it a few years ago.
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08-27-2017, 12:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWilson
Rafter-S, yes, with adjustable sights the gun is a target model, which excludes the Pre-22.
Another thing that might be useful to know is the gun's serial number. A postwar N-frame serial number should begin with the letter S and have either a five or six-digit number between about S80000 and S160000.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say the "old style" small checkered grips. If you mean the magna stocks that come up over the sideplate and frame but are smaller than target stocks, that would be correct for the gun. But if you mean the prewar service stocks that were shorter and had a half-round top that fitted exactly to the frame profile, those would be incorrect for any gun that was called a "Model of 1950."
Sounds like an intriguing gun, and as Semperfi71 said, it could be uncommon and quite valuable. But we can't know until we get a little more information (and best of all, pictures, if that is possible).
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The one I have is in the 77,000 range with an S in front of the number with a gap of about 3/4".
Is that lower number below 80,000 a good thing?
Last edited by smoothshooter; 08-27-2017 at 12:27 AM.
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08-27-2017, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smoothshooter
The one I have is in the 77,000 range with an S in front of the number with a gap of about 3/4".
Is that lower number below 80,000 a good thing?
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The SCSW 3rd shows that the 1950 .45 Target model started at serial number S76212 in 1950.
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08-27-2017, 10:27 AM
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For $550 I would be on that one. Love the S&W 45s colt or acp. The lighter tapered barrel on the 1950s is a plus and being nicely cut to 4 1/2" makes it a much better holster gun than a 6".
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08-27-2017, 10:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
R-S,
Don't let people tell you the gun has no collector value. Being cut down it is not as valuable as if it were original but from your description it was a well done job and the gun is in good condition. A 5 screw N-frame in that condition is worth more to many of us than any of the newer S&Ws being sold for near a $1000 these days. I think you got an excellent buy at $550 for the gun you described. Others with no doubt differ but I'd buy it for that any day.
Dave
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Amen, Brother Dave!
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08-27-2017, 01:49 PM
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Easily worth $550 if it shoots. It will carry well, and would be almost all handgun duties just fine.
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08-27-2017, 01:54 PM
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Agree it is a $550 gun...from 7 years ago!
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