Hello guys,
I've been away for a long time and I'm sorry for that.
I just recently stumbled on to what may be a pretty rare little 5 screw N frame.
It's a model 1955, but this does not have the 6.5 inch barrel, it has a 5 inch long barrel.
Does anyone know the serial numbers of the actual 5 inch ones that are known as factory correct guns ?
This one came in the shop and we are going to sell it, we just would like to make sure it is or is not a factory built 5 inch gun.
Serial numbers on this one are S1432**

Thanks for your time, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

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Well, the barrel marking is centered and from what I can tell in an admittedly poor photograph, appears to be correct. Barrel's condition is consistent with rest of the gun and the blue appears original. If fake, it is a carefully done fake.
Keith

Sorry that you think my photos are bad.
Here's a shot or 2 of the barrel itself.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

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Something doesn't look right the way the Barrel goes into the frame. Could be my eyes as everything else seems to match perfectly.

Here's s couple pics from the opposite side.
I just realized that the barrel matches the cylinder and frame serial numbers.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

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Yep. That looks a lot better in my opinion.

It looks legit to me. The front sight is correct for a 5" Barrel. 6.5" had a patridge.

Serial range started in the S143 range

Does it have a regular main spring. Possibly a "W" Main Spring or a "U" Mainspring.

Can you post a photo of the muzzle crown/front sight base?

Even if it appears to be an original 5", the only way to be sure is a factory letter, but that will be 5-6 months' wait at present.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Sorry, no muzzle pics at this time. Here's the front sight though.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

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I think it's been cut. It looks like the front site base sets atop the rib and I think it should be milled so the base sets down in it a bit. But I am no expert.

As always, what any of us thinks is irrelevant. You need to letter it.

I bet $1 it comes back as shipped with a 6.5" barrel.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

From what I've found out was that the 5 inch ones that lettered were also cut barrels, but left S&W as 5 inch barreled guns.
Is this now incorrect ?

Nice Gun... The gun looks to have the original finish and the barrel looks like it has the same finish as the frame.. Wear also looks the same all around. The muzzle does not look re-blued... That being said, the sight base does look a little raised in the rear.. I have 4 1955s. Here are some sight pics of my 1955 built in 1956 with 6.5 inch barrel for you to compare. Serial s1604xx..

To me it looks as if the muzzle is a bit too square. Like its not properly crowned as with a factory barrel. Could we get a pic of the muzzle?
And something just doesn't look quite right with the front sight.
I'm thinking its been cut. But what do i know?

Only a letter will say for sure whether it is original factory shipped with a 5 inch barrel. Either way, I would be proud to own it and shoot it a lot.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

If it was me I would get it lettered first, if it comes back as a 5" gun you would be ahead of the game. If I worked or I lived near by I would consider buying it as as is and then get the letter if the price was right. Nice looking revolver that's for sure.

Thanks again boys and girls.
The owner of the shop said he's not waiting months for a stinking letter, so off to Gunbroker for 5 cents and no reserve she goes.
Yes, there will be lots of pics.

Thanks again for all the help and confusion, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

Hi
Jeff there were 9 made in serial number range S-1598XX shipped 8/17/1959
If your gun shipped in 59 it is correct.
Jim

Here is a picture of a real 5 inch.

Does the "real 5 inch" have any interesting factory stamps on the barrel, such as a diamond?

Nice revolver!

Curl

I see this made it to the auction sites! From your pics on there, I can see it has a B<> in the barrel shroud; its been back to the factory for some work; a cut barrel more than likely.

__________________
Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Kris
You are right the mark indicates rework( Barrel Cut or Changed.)
Jim
I hope people bidding on this know it is not a original 5 inch

I wish he would have explained to us it had the markings in the first place.

Seems odd, but maybe that was the plan.

Curl
The original 5 inch do not have any marks in the barrel. This is a cut barrel gun.

I have two of the 5 inch guns both letter is 5 inch no markings.

Jim

It is still a nice gun just not Original.

The stamping looks like a "S<>" to me.

Thanks Jim!

Thanks for making me out to be a bad guy. Really appreciate that.
That was never the plan.
Feel free to ask around, those that personally know me know that I would not do something on purpose like that.
I decided to show every marking on the gun I could find and didn't even know what those marks were.
Gee, now I remember why I left this site in the first place.
Back in the day on this forum, everyone was willing to help out and people didn't look under rocks to try to bust someones stones (pun intended).

I thank all that still try to help and share their knowledge.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)