Any Experts On Pre Model 26 I'm Confused

[Doc44]

AC Man...Is the number 5 stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame? 1950 45 Targets have a 5 stamped there indicating the caliber is 45 ACP. The optional bright blue finish would also be indicated by a B stamped in the same area.

Also, I know what S&W's records show and would be happy to send you a copy of the invoice and serial number list.

Bill

 

[younggun22]

In S&W's records S177688 is a Model 28 with a 4-inch barrel and butt swivel, stamped GSP on the frame. It is one of 100 shipped in July 1958 for the Georgia State Patrol.

There is only one lettered Model 26 known to collectors. It has serial number S193801 and a 4-screw frame. Even though the 1950 45 Target was not dropped by S&W until 1961, it was not very popular with only 2768 units being sold.

Bill

OP states that’s the cylinder and frame both match … could you ream a model 28 cylinder to 45ACP and keep the S/N on the cylinder intact?

 

[flundertaker]

Again the serial number on the cylinder, frame, and butt are all the same and barrel is 6.5" stamped model of 1950 45 cal. The seller on Gunbroker and his distributer were at a loss and they had never seen one with a 4 screw frame. Not impossible, but the serial number is another oddity.

Respectfully I don’t think the seller knows what he had. I’m not saying he intentionally misrepresented the gun.

 

[AC Man]

AC Man...Is the number 5 stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame? 1950 45 Targets have a 5 stamped there indicating the caliber is 45 ACP. The optional bright blue finish would also be indicated by a B stamped in the same area.

Also, I know what S&W's records show and would be happy to send you a copy of the invoice and serial number list.

Bill

I can't think you enough! You seem to be the one to figure this out. Again the serial number is 177688 on the butt, cylinder, and frame. Model of 1950 45 cal on the barrel 6.5".

Not sure what you mean on lower grip frame but I removed the grips and at the bottom side it has 8847 not sure what that means. Thanks!

 

[Muley Gil]

AC Man, please post pictures!

 

[AC Man]

No idea how to post pics. I resigned up to Photobucket cause that's how I did it in the past.They told me I need to move up and get the next package for hosting pics. Very frusting.

 

[DARE]

AC Man, here is a photo of the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame. The gun pictured is a 4-screw .357 Combat Magnum that shipped in 1956. It has the number 3 there. I'm told that means it is a Combat Magnum. Think that is the area where Doc44 wanted to know if you have the number 5.

 

[Retired W4]

There's been nothing mentioned about the model number stamping in the yoke cut. Surely a 4-screw N-frame would be so marked, wouldn't it?

As a minor point, 4 screw frames were both non-model marked and model marked. Another niche for collectors. I don't know if that applies to the 26. To reiterate, these conversions were common back in the day by some very talented gun smiths. My 44 special 28-2 is VERY accurate, and they left all the bead blasted areas of a 28 intact instead of polishing it down to a high shine.

 

[Muley Gil]

No idea how to post pics. I resigned up to Photobucket cause that's how I did it in the past.They told me I need to move up and get the next package for hosting pics. Very frusting.

E-mail them to me & I'll post them.

PM sent.

 

[Doc44]

In the 1950s, revolvers in 44 Special caliber had a 4 stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame, 45 ACP a 5, 45 Colt a 7, .357 Magnum a 3, 44 Magnum a 0.

Bill

 

[DARE]

Thanks Bill, I only knew part of that.
So if S&W serial number records are correct, the AC Man gun should have a 3 on the grip frame if it started life as a Model 28.

 

[kscharlie]

In the 1950s, revolvers in 44 Special caliber had a 4 stamped on the lower left-hand corner of the grip frame, 45 ACP a 5, 45 Colt a 7, .357 Magnum a 3, 44 Magnum a 0.

Bill

Interesting. I have a Model of 1950 .45 ACP shipped in 1952 and a Model of 1955 .45 ACP (5-screw) shipped in 1959. Both of them have the number 5 stamped on the left side toe.

I also have a .357 Magnum shipped in 1951 and a .357 Magnum (5-screw) shipped in 1958. Neither of them have any number stamped on the toe on either side.

 

[clang444]

All these posts and so little pics. Here is a plain Jane pre-26 for reference:

 

[Doc44]

I think the 3 was only stamped on .357 Combat Magnums, but I am not entirely certain of this.

Bill

 

[toroflow1]

I have a model marked 26 with 6.5" barrel and serial # S239743. Is it real or Memorex?

 

[AC Man]

The only thing stamped on the lower left grip frame is 8847 in small numbers. It is 45 acp and all original 4 screw frame numbers matching.

Lucky for me Muley Gil has offered to post the pics. I will Email him the pics tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[AC Man]

E-mail them to me & I'll post them.

PM sent.

Thank You! Pics sent to your email. Looking forward to getting to the bottom of this.

 

[Muley Gil]

Pictures from AC Man:

 

[Muley Gil]

More pics from AC Man:

 

[CptCurl]

Well, the gunsmith did a nice conversion, but he forgot to stamp the "S" on the cylinder when he stamped his "matching" numbers.

Curly