This followed me home earlier today.



It’s chambered in .45 ACP so a “pre-Model 26”. Roy Jinks was kind enough to tell me that it shipped in February 1953. The barrel simply says “45 CAL. Model of 1950”. Would the roll mark say “.45 Colt” if that’s what it was chambered in? (I know that those are quite rare)

This model is usually roll marked 45 CAL. MODEL OF 1950 on the right side of the barrel. Those 200 or so in 45 Colt caliber are marked 45 COLT if I remember correctly. Apparently, an incomplete roll mark was applied to the barrel.

Bill

A wonderful revolver and really fun to shoot. Shown here is my unusual all target version with its 1955 sibling.

Attached Images

20210113_082025.jpg (145.0 KB, 60 views)

FWIW my 26-1 is labeled “.45 COLT CTG.” on the left side of the barrel. No mention of “Model of 19xx”.

Yes I would say that is a 5 screw pre model 26 1950 45 ACP. I have a model of 1950 that is a 4 screw 45 ACP. The only one known to exist from what I have been told. Good luck, I am still trying to figure out mine.

I had S193601 in my collection for several years. It is a model marked (MOD-26) 4-screw that was shipped on March 7, 1963 with S193538 and S193551 to H. H. Harris, Chicago, IL. See page 227 of the SCSW for a small photo of the revolver.

Bill

Beautiful gun in amazing condition! That would be a fun one to own.

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I enjoy a nice ACP revolver! That is a beauty!

I have two, one from July 1955, birth year for me also,



And one from February 1956,



Both are good shooters. Enjoy yours.

As for the 45 Colt markings, delcrossv can help with that information.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I once owned one of the 1970's manufactured Model 25-2's with the barrel mismarked Model of 1950 and I still own a Model 1950 that shipped in April of 1956. While I understand the demand for a heavier barrel that was cause for the Model 1955 and model marked 25-2, there is something graceful about the pre-Model 26 type of tapered barrel that appeals to me too. Here's a pic.

Attached Images

S&W Model 1950 .45 Target Collage.jpg (105.9 KB, 23 views)

Yeah I have one of the 1,000 +/- 25-2 revolvers mismarked “Model of 1950” with a factory letter. The gun always looked great on the outside. The inside looked like it was machined with dull tools by a guy who got fired from the Pinto production line. It took a lot of work plus hammer and trigger shims to get it to run smoothly.

I have two of the 1950 targets and one of the 1955 targets, all three in .45 Colt. I can't get the pictures to record in a reply!!!

Richard

Richard...What is roll marked on the right side of the barrel of the 1950 and 1955 Target revolvers?

Bill

Richard - you need to upload your photos to an “album” here accessible through your profile. Then you can copy the link to the album. This is the only forum I participate in that works that way.

I am certain that I am not alone in wanting to see your beauties!

Chip