Model of 1950, 5 inch...questions.

HappyHunter · Nov 9, 2012

Just bought a Model of 1950.

Condition is at least very good, has smooth rosewood grips and a five inch barrel!

Beyond the barrel being 5 inch it has a red ramp front sight...what gives?

The serial number matches on barrel, frame, cylinder, and yoke (will check star later, but I feel it is original). S/N is S 1465**, the good book says: 1955-1956.

I know a 5 inch barrel is rare, that is why I took a chance on this gun.

It is 45 ACP.

Just noticed that the rear sight is white outline...what did I buy?

Any help?

Thanks in advance,

Fred

Muley Gil · Nov 9, 2012

I've seen 4 and 5 inch .44 Specials with red ramp front sights and white outline rear sight blades.

KEN L · Nov 9, 2012

What, NO pics??

Buford57 · Nov 9, 2012

Send us a picture and it will improve the quality of our guesses. That is a rather unusual configuration in my limited experience.

Art Doc · Nov 9, 2012

That serial would appear to be from 1955 (I have a couple that are close and letter to mid 1955). A 1950 Target 45 should have a 6.5" tapered barrel. The big change on the 1955 Model was the heavy barrel (also in 6.5" length). A 5" barrel on either model was never a standard catalog option. While very cool, such a gun would almost certainly not be original in that configuration.

It is not impossible that it was a special order. S&W would do just about anything back then on SO but the odds are not with you. If it was a SO 5" gun, it's worth a small fortune. But I seriously doubt that is the case. Maybe someone knows of a run of 5" 45 1950s but I have never heard of such a thing.

I hope you didn't pay for a rare collector grade gun.

HappyHunter · Nov 9, 2012

Hello gentlemen,

Thanks for your posts. I am leaving for most of the weekend and will try to post a picture on sunday...I have never had sucess doing this b-4 but the wife is home and she is a bit of a geek...

Regards,

Fred

bmg60 · Nov 9, 2012

hi
there were 9 of them made in one order I have all the serial numbers
if you Pm me the serial number i will check it.
jim fisher

dewey · Nov 10, 2012

I see you've been here since 2003 so you know about the proper placement of S&W stampings on 4 and 5 inch guns. I hope it's one of the nine 5 inch SO guns !

dan

bmg60 · Nov 10, 2012

hi
My records are at home and I am on the road.
your serial number is only 17 numbers from mine
so its a good chance it is correct.
Jim

moosedog · Nov 10, 2012

Hey! Let's see this 1950 Target pre 26 five inch.

HappyHunter · Nov 10, 2012

Just got home, long day trip.

WOW, I may really have something! The roll marks are correct and centered on the barrel.

I am up at 4am for whitetail hunting. I will try posting a picture in afternoon.

Must admit to being rather excited about this gun...I will need to pull out a few other gems to discuss sometime.

Thanks for all the assistance,

Fred

HappyHunter · Nov 11, 2012

PICTURES

My first effort with posting pics...I am not an artist.

keith44spl · Nov 11, 2012

Happy,

That looks alright from here!

A letter from Roy Jinks will tell for sure nuff whatcha got.

Anyhows, she's a nice one.

Su Amigo,
Dave

P.S.
HappyHunter,
Sorry for hi-jacking your tread whilest you were away...
I guess we all got alit'l bored and ended up pokin a little fun SP's way.

Sorry SP...Didn't mean no harm.

Sebago Son · Nov 11, 2012

That looks like a righteous gun from here!

Better letter that lickity-split!

Drew

Homie · Nov 11, 2012

Like most of the posters agree, the gun looks right. I think it may have shipped somewhat later than the serial no. would indicate, based on the domed rear sight and the relieved stocks.
Maybe a REX or H.H. Harris gun?

Hope it letters.

Good shooting!

VaRecon · Nov 11, 2012

It's a nice looking gun, I'm not read enough in but based on Jim's opinion I'll be hopeful enough to think you got a nice gun there OP.
Not that there's a bad 1950..

I doubt anyone hurt SP's feelings but personally the guy that doesn't need a gun is the one I wouldn't wanna pick on

MKT · Nov 11, 2012

As others have said, it looks pretty darn righteous!

The roll marks appear centered, the barrel pin does not look flattened and the two pins for the front sight are polished smooth with the rib (although raised pins may not necessarily be wrong).

Hopefully bmg60 will be able to give some confirmation. The fact your serial is so close to his is another plus.

Wow.

Dale53 · Nov 11, 2012

I have been a fan of the Smith .45 ACP revolvers for a number of years. However, in the past three or four years it has taken over as my "first choice" these days. Mine are a pair of 625's (625-6 (5") and 625-8 (4").

I cast my own bullets and reload (of course) and these are just flat "user friendly".

I have warm feelings for the early 1950 and 1955 Target models as my father had one of each "back in the day".

To the O.P. - it appears to me you not only have a very desirable revolver but a very valuable and uncommon revolver.

Good show!

Dale53

Nightowl · Nov 11, 2012

Thats a darn nice revolver, there. Congratulations on your find.

Art Doc · Nov 11, 2012

The fact that one of the experts has confirmed that some were made and yours is close in serial range to known examples certainly gives hope that you have the real deal. Neat gun, and I hope it proves genuine for you.

Model of 1950, 5 inch...questions.

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