1950 .45 Caliber Barrel Markings- pic & story added

[44wheelman]

Someone I have contacted has what they believe is one of the 200 elusive model 1950's in 45 Colt (aka 45 Long Colt). What is the correct barrel marking for that gun?

The .45 acp guns are marked " 45 CAL. MODEL 1950", but what about 45 Colt? Are they marked ".45 Colt" ?

[bmg60]

Hi
Here is the marking on the 45 colt guns.
jim

[44wheelman]

Thank you much- the Standard Catalog of S&W was a little vague. To confuse me, reading about the model 25 on page 191: for guns chambered in 45 Colt c. 1978, "Early production marked "45 CAL MODEL 1955" later production marked "45 Colt CTG.

No description of how model 26 (or pre-26) barrels are marked when chambered in 45 Colt.

Now fingers are crossed while waiting on a reply.

[Art Doc]

I was thinking it said 45 Colt, but not being an expert I didn't want to say anything. Mr. Fisher is an expert and not only provided his expert opinion but also photographic documentation. Not that you couldn't take his word to the bank, but it is nice to actually see it.

Now I wish I was seeing it in my hands...

[29aholic]

It wouldn't happen to be the one that someone was giving away on the Ruger forum is it?

[dewey]

I guess I need to expand my internetting....dan

[44wheelman]

Curtis.....yes..****ger forum - is there something I don't know? He lives about an hour from me, we were going to meet half-way on Saturday.

One problem, he just e-mailed me & told me that the barrel is marked " 45 CAL. MODEL 1950"... that's how the 45acp guns are marked. What are the chances that is an actual 45 Colt. I've asked him to tell me if the serial number is the same on the back of the cylinder matches the number under the barrel.... bet it don't.

Pic of what he has:



It looks to me like a Pre-29 that was converted to 45 Colt....Still, a neat gun.

[keith44spl]

Yup,
Looks like a nice conversions from here........

I've built several in the configuration my own-self.

And yes, they shot really well.




Su Amigo,
Dave

[Doc44]

Keith is correct about the conversion. The cylinder on the original 1950Target 45s chambered in 45 Colt is shorter (like the 45 ACP cylinder) than what is on the revolver you are looking at.

I also saw the ad on the Ruger Forum and wondered why a person would sell a gun like that for less than half of what most would pay for it.

It would be a great shooter if the conversion is well done, but the asking price may be a little steep.

Bill

[29aholic]

Those conversions shoot fantastic, but are still parts guns and should be bought as such. I doubt it started out as a pre 29, more than likely a Highway Patrolman back when they were cheap. Add a 1950 barrel and have the chambers reamed and voila...a 1950 45 Colt.

[Doc44]

Curtis...The cylinder appears to be too long and the forcing cone too short to be originally from a 27 or 28.

Bill

[Texas Star]

Which Ruger forum was that on? I visit both and am a member on the .net one. Don't read the ads, though.

I think I'd have to know the full history of that gun and have a gunsmith examine it before I'd buy. But I'm both cautious and poor. Can't afford to make a mistake on a gun.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

One guy on that forum has spoken for it. "If is original!". Hope he knows better.

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by 29aholic

Those conversions shoot fantastic, but are still parts guns and should be bought as such. I doubt it started out as a pre 29, more than likely a Highway Patrolman back when they were cheap. Add a 1950 barrel and have the chambers reamed and voila...a 1950 45 Colt.

A M28 or pre M28 frame should be easy to ID. It would have a matte topstrap without any grooves.

[44wheelman]

Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter

One guy on that forum has spoken for it. "If is original!". Hope he knows better.

.... eh, I was born at night, just not last night

It's always worth a shot to ask a few questions & wait for the reply. Seller has stated there are no serial numbers on rear of cylinder or barrel, and it is not a 5 screw. So it could have been made between 1956 & 1957 (between deleting the 5th scr & stamping the model numbers into frames.) Wishful thinking I believe.

Does anybody know how to remove those style of grips, the seller says ther are no screws in them.

[Hondo44]

You were right about the cyl number!

Unless you described which screws to count, the seller might not know and it's probably not an accurate answer. At least one screw is hidden by the grips that he can't get off. Did he look for a screw in the butt? Or they may just pull off.

[44wheelman]

Originally Posted by Hondo44

You were right about the cyl number!

Unless you described which screws to count, the seller might not know and it's probably not an accurate answer. At least one screw is hidden by the grips that he can't get off. Did he look for a screw in the butt? Or they may just pull off.

Not know the seller's familiarity with S&W jargon, I only asked the seller if there was a screw at the top of the side plate near the hammer.. his reply was it was "Not a 5 Screw model"

[44wheelman]

Last update: It's a converted, model marked 28-2, with c'bored cylinder. I'm still going to check it out, but at a significantly reduced price. Hope it's still a winner, my thanks to all that contributed. I believe a completely honest mistake by seller.

[Doug M.]

It still has the potential to be a heck of a shooter if well done. I used to think of doing such before I committed to 45ACP instead of 45LC.

[29aholic]

Originally Posted by 44wheelman

Last update: It's a converted, model marked 28-2, with c'bored cylinder. I'm still going to check it out, but at a significantly reduced price. Hope it's still a winner, my thanks to all that contributed. I believe a completely honest mistake by seller.

hmmmmmmm