4.5" PRE-26

[FASTCAT]

I am hoping for any info/thoughts on my .45 Target Model of 1950. I recently lettered it and found that it was in a shipment of several guns sent to the John Jovino Company of NYC in late 1954 and was configured as a standard Pre-26. At some point in its life, the barrel was shortened from the original 6.5" to 4.5" and (probably) the action tuned.
My questions are - was Jovino's doing this sort of modification back in 1954 or was it most likely done sometime following its initial sale from that location? If Jovino's work, have others been spotted out there?
With its great balance and smooth trigger it just might be my new favorite shooter.

 

[quinn]

Not much help on your questions, but I really like that profile. I just looks balanced to me for a target gun.

 

[CH4]

Looks nice, well executed

 

[SAFireman]

Jovino's was a for-profit gun store & gunsmith. They would do anything that you paid them to do within reason. It's hard to prove unless you have an invoice though....

 

[Doc44]

Regardless of who did the work, it was well done and you have a unique 1950 45 Target. Elemer Keith wrote many years ago the ideal barrel length for a law enforcement officer's revolver was 4 1/2 inches.

Bill

 

[StrawHat]

Great revolver! I happen to like the tapered barrel ACP revolver and have more than a few. They balance better in my hand.

Enjoy yours!

Kevin

 

[USSR]

Well, looks like there are only 2,767 .45 Model 1950's in original condition left out there; of which I have 2.

Don

 

[handejector]

NICE.
Sure would like more pics, particularly of the muzzle.

 

[Truckman]

Well, looks like there are only 2,767 .45 Model 1950's in original condition left out there; of which I have 2.

Don

Lucky you...I only have one, but someone screwed up the originality by putting King sights on it front and rear......Ben

 

[50 target]

Don't you just hate it when that happens?

 

[S&W ucla]

I have a 5" that was originally 6.5". A <b> is stamped in barrel shroud. Does yours have any similar or unusual markings? Neat gun as is!

 

[FatDogEarl]

What a sweet revolver

 

[StrawHat]

Here are a couple more.





The top one shipped February of 1956, the bottom one in July , 1955.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

duplicate post

 

[cgt4570]

I picked one up a few months back that unfortunately came with the wrong grips. They are as-new Cokes.
Thankfully I have some spare sharp shoulder N magnas if I ever wanna make it more correct.

 

[lestuff]

I have stared at that gun a couple of times now and have to say that your find is pretty much a grail gun to me. It just *looks* balanced, plus it has target sights and shoots 45acp. What’s not to love? Ok, the grips maybe, but that is just a personal preference thing <grin>

Where does one find such a thing?

I too would like to see some close ups of the end of the barrel. If it was shortened it sure looks well done from. How did they keep the “Smith” lettering intact and remount the sight?

 

[donadler]

My one and only in .45 Model 1950

 

[FASTCAT]

Sure would like more pics, particularly of the muzzle.

Here's a photo of the muzzle. I think the 'smith should have put a better radius on it but too late now.
There are no unusual markings, no evidence that it was ever back to the factory. BTW The barrel, frame, and cylinder numbers do match. The grips that were on the gun were both of a later date and boogered up so bad I threw them away so I put the fake ivories on because well... I like the looks (no accounting for taste, huh?).
I had planned on shortening the barrel on another pre-26 but had not yet found the gunsmith I wanted to do the work when this one popped up or else there would have been 2 less factory configured ones.