Browsing online and found a 6" Model 45 .22 "Post Office" gun for $799, listed as a Model 22 M&P. The gun had some holster wear, but overall looked to be in nice shooter condition. Being retired from the post office, one of these has been on my short list for some time, and I nearly sprained my wrist dialing the phone. Naturally, it had sold shortly before I called, hope somebody here got it...

Ouch I feel your pain!

About 25 years ago I sold a Model 1917 .45acp/.45auto rim revolver to an old retired guy who said he had carried one just like it in the 1930s and '40s as a career post office detective/investigator. I had advertised several other guns in the local paper, and when he came by to look at them he noticed the old warhorse in my gun cabinet and his eyes actually teared up when I let him handle it. He asked if I would consider selling it and I felt like he appreciated it more as a memento of his PO career than I did as a shooter so I let him have it, probably for less than it was actually worth. It's rifling was worn almost smooth and it was no longer accurate, so it wasn't useful to me as a shooter. But I have to wonder, if the old-time PO inspectors carried WWI surplus 1917 .45 revolvers in their line of duty what were the .22 rimfire revolvers used for?

They were used as training guns for the .38 Military & Police revolvers that were the standard LE sidearm of the day. Many shipped to the US Post Office, apparently a few to the FBI per the current month's American Rifleman, and a few to the civilian market.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I too called a little late on that gun. Very rare in 6", probably worth maybe $3,000??? Lots of 4"ers showing up these days. Big Larry

I almost broke my phone trying to dial Cabelas as fast as I did. I too was late in my contact with them. I guess you can't get all the good deals. I hope it was a forum member that is the lucky owner.

__________________
Jim
SWCA #2246

Now I'm wanting one, how much would a 4 inch shooter grade normally run?

I have a NIB Model 45. No model number on the yoke which makes it one of 135 made in 1978 according to the Standard Catalog, C883XXX SN range. According to the SC, a 45-2, near new in box, sold for $2,875 in 2006. 45-1 and 45-3 have not been observed and may not exist according to SC. They are very neat revolvers.

I wonder if anyone has further information on the 1978 production run?????

Steve, Memphis

I probably shouldn't but I sure enjoy shooting my 4 inch model 45. Try different shoes on it from time to time, here it is with stag.........Thanks Bruce!


and ivory.........with a great old vintage holster.

Mike Bishop has a S&W Model 45-2 for sale on his web site (BISHOPS FINE GUNS HOME PAGE) for $2599. He says condition is 98% and it is in the original box with a factory letter.
Nice looking gun.

- - -Buckspen

Looks like Fugate got it.

Fugate Firearms > 1950's Smith Wesson Pre 45 Post Office 6 Inch 22

It originally sold for $800...quite a mark-up.

Probably would of went to a private buyer that would of enjoyed it, too. Just gotta shake your head sometimes :/



I guess a mark-up of $1,700 isn't that bad




ETA: I just noticed you were the OP, PMret. I know there's not much to be done, but I'd be a little upset. Sorry...

I actually had a similar situation happen a few months ago involving another revolver I had been searching for: A pawn shop purchased a nice 5 screw K-32 for the same kind of bargain price as this model 45 went for. They were content to double their money with a quick sale, and both sides went away happy. I don't expect that will happen this time. Oh well, win some, lose some...

Attached Images

K-32Pine.jpg (67.4 KB, 48 views)

The Fugate Boys suck up a lot of good stuff and put a "Healthy" price tag on it....you see them at OGCA VERY often

__________________
Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

It isnt the Fugate types that create the high prices associated with .22 M&P's ,
It is the people with deep pockets of disposable cash willing to pay small fortunes for them.
At $2000 I am priced out of the market and content with my $600 target site K22's.

On a side note ,
The Heritage series guns IMO were a bit ahead of their time and fell just short of the mark.
A Heritage K22 exact modern replica of the rare 2nd model and a reproduction Heritage .22 M&P
offered in 2",3" 4" , 5 and 6" barrel lengths would sell like hot cakes!


I will buy one in each barrel length...and a 4" in stainless to go with my Model 64 .

hi
that 6 inch model 45 is one of a special limited run. Before this one came we knew where 3 of the order were I have one in the same serial number range and I know where two more are.
The other special run was made for the Boston Police dept and it was for 25 revolvers they are in the C-37XXXX range. and I have one of those also.
jim Fisher

Thanks Jim,
I don't think most realize exactly how Scarce these 6" Model 45's really are!! Given it's condition I think the price is Very Respectable for such a Scarce Gun!! I know I've owned quite a few 4-Inchers over the years & have never had a chance to run across one of these!! I still own Two of the 4-Inchers~One has a Factory Red Ramp Frt Sight/Target Trigger~and the other is~One of Two Nickel-Plated Full-Coverage Engraved 45's~that Roy Jinks personally had done for the SWCA in the 80's!!

__________________
Masterpiece

bmg60, what are the years for the BPD guns? My father joined B.P.D. in 1960 and he said they had .22s to shoot at an indoor range to show you how a revolver worked. Then they issued you a re-tread revolver (Colt PP or S&W) from a cardboard box, a pressed paper holster (would rot and fall apart after a rainstorm) and 6 reloaded wadcutters which would go dead at the first hint of humidity or rain.

S.Kelly,
I believe the 6" Barreled B.P.D. marked Model 45's were shipped to the Boston Police sometime in 1957 so it's very possible he was trained with one of these Revolvers!!

__________________
Masterpiece

Must have been cheap still at his asking price as it did not last long.

I could have lived without knowing of this site

I bought this gun for $400........back in 1980 out of the Shotgun News.

model 39,

do you remember who you got it from? i sold one just like it at around that time.

perrazi

Right out f High School (1957/1958) I had a "Temporary Appointment" as a mail carrier for the U.S.P.O. When transporting registered mail a carrier was issued a sidearm. In the firearm locker were B/T .38s and Model 1917s. The M1917s were the last to be checked out by the carriers due to the size and weight.

Right out of High School (1957/1958) I had a "Temporary Appointment" as a mail carrier for the U.S.P.O. When transporting registered mail a carrier was issued a sidearm. In the firearm locker were B/T .38s and Model 1917s. The M1917s were the last to be checked out by the carriers due to the size and weight.

Sorry I don't remember who I bought it from. My records only show that my local dealer friend received it for me. Sadly my friend passed away a few years ago, and his records have been turned in. I think it came from out west maybe Montana.

I bought mine in the early '80's from Tommy Rholes in Van, Texas, from a SGN ad. Boxed, looked like new, it was $450 shipped. That seemed outrageous at the time, but... He always had some nice stuff for sale.