Questions about the Model 26

Malpaso · Oct 23, 2013

As I currently have a 25, 27 and 29, and have a line on a 28, it got me to thinking about the 26. Which I know very little about.

I see them listed as .45ACP only, on the handloads.com list, but just saw two .45 Colt (commemoratives) on gunbroker. How many variations were there?

How rare are these? What would I expect to pay for a shooter, not a safe queen?

bronco45 · Oct 23, 2013

Rare, hard to find and almost myth status revolver. I've been looking for one for at least 20 years. A friend of mine who is a life long wealthy Smith collector doesn't have one. That's how hard they are to find in this part of the world.

Malpaso · Oct 23, 2013

I should have been more precise in my terminology, as I tend to leave off suffixes. The ones on gunbroker are 26-1. Are those variants more plentiful?

murphydog · Oct 23, 2013

These were also called the .45 Target model 1950, the light barrel version of the 1955/model 25. There were a few thousand 1950s, very few model stamped model 26s and (I think) 1-2000 Georgia State Patrol commemorative 26-1s.

Doc44 · Oct 23, 2013

The 1950 Model 45 Target (assigned Model 26 in 1957) was introduced on February 17, 1950 and dropped from S&W's catalog in 1961. The total production for this model was 2,768 units. It is chambered in 45 ACP and requires the use of clips for extraction (unless you want to extract the empty cases one at a time), or can be used without clips by using the 45 Auto Rim cartridge (same is true of the 1955 Model 45 Target or Model 25).

In 1953, S&W produced 200 of these revolvers chambered in 45 Colt. They are highly sought after by collectors and quite expensive when found.

There is one or two 4-screw revolvers stamped MOD-26 in the yoke cut. I don't believe S&W made a Model 26-1 with a 4-screw frame or a 26-2.

In 1988, S&W reintroduced the 1950 Model 45 Target as the Model 26-1 and as a commemorative for the Georgia State Patrol. Some plain guns are part of a production overrun and can be found. Approximately 800 were made and 40 were part of the overrun.

The 1950 Model 45 Target shown below was shipped in November 1950.

Bill

Questions about the Model 26

Malpaso

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bronco45

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Malpaso

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murphydog

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Doc44

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