Brought Something Special Home Today

[rbmac52]

I would have bid on that one if I had seen it. That model is more than scarce. The hammer on your gun is more accurately called a "semi-target" hammer. Congratulations on an impressive score and an impressive revolver!

Edited to add: relating to the end label on the box, not only is that NOT a Kit Gun, but the stock designation of TS (target stock) is also in error.

 

[Pizza Bob]

***I want***

 

[StrawHat]

A perfect gun with the perfect barrel length in perfect condition. Yeah, don't know that I'd be able to shoot it either. Congratulations!

Maybe we should start a thread on the "Perfect Revolver". That has a few features of my idea of perfect but not all or even most.

It is still a good looking piece.

Kevin

 

[rbmac52]

I shoot all of my guns. I've owned many "new in box, never fired" Smith revolvers, but I came to realize, for me anyway, that I just wasn't that kind of collector and sold them to enthusiasts who were.

I've always pined for a Model 26-1 but realized long ago that it might take more money to buy one than I am comfortable to part with. I think that gun was a good buy, but I couldn't bring myself to buy it and not shoot it.

 

[44Aficianado]

Gorgeous revolver! Congrats!

 

[TheTinMan]

Cool gun. The smooth triggers are usually called "Combat" style, and if if is 0.400" across it would be called "wide". If it is 0.500" I don't know what you'd call it.

I have never seen the "Kit Gun" notation on a label. Perhaps it means "parts cleanup", as in not meant to be built into a GSP commemorative. Since you are an SWCA member, I'd Ask Roy Jinks.

The smooth trigger is just over 0.3" wide.

It also has a combat hammer, and I corrected the OP.

Chip

 

[rbmac52]

I don't recall that S&W has ever designated a revolver hammer as a "combat hammer." The .500" hammer is called a target hammer, the .375" hammer is called a semi-target hammer, and the .265" hammer is called a service hammer.

The target hammer is standard on some models, such as the Models 27, 29, and 57 (among others), and optional on most other models. The semi-target hammer is the usual standard hammer found on many N-frame revolvers. The service hammer is standard on only a few N-frame models, such as the Models 58 and 520 (there may be others I can't recall at the moment).

 

[StrawHat]

… The service hammer is standard on only a few N-frame models, such as the Models 58 and 520 (there may be others I can't recall at the moment)...

The Model 1917 and the Model 1950 Army come to mind.

Maybe the New Century.

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

The smooth trigger is just over 0.3" wide.

It also has a combat hammer, and I corrected the OP.

Chip

It is probably 0.312" wide, so a standard Combat trigger width.

 

[murphydog]

I think the service hammer was standard on any fixed-sight N frame, so add the .38/44 Heavy Duty, the .44 HE models and the .44 Military to the list.

 

[tennexplorer]

I don't know if the boxes for the ones that had the commemorative engraving on them had the designation of "kit gun", but I know of three boxes for the over runs that are stamped that way. It may have been a way of designating the 40 guns as a parts clean up as there are some frame differences between guns.

This one had the full target hammer when it came to me, and it has been shot - more than a few times.

The stocks were upgraded to a set of Culina's because it deserved them.

 

[robertrwalsh]

That is a seriously nice hunk of iron. Congratulations on a heck of a score.

 

[StrawHat]

…It may have been a way of designating the 40 guns as a parts clean up as there are some frame differences between guns.
…

Can you elaborate on the differences? I thought the frames were all the same until the frame lug became integral with the frame.

Kevin

 

[tennexplorer]

26-1 differences

I had a couple of questions on what I said about frame differences. I was making a comparison between frames on the over run guns. To make things clearer (hopefully) here are some pictures.

In this picture you can see the difference in the tops of the frames. The top one is newer and has the more rounded contour at the front top of the frame. The bottom one has the old style where the cut for the rear sight extends to the front of the frame. It looks like a repurposed Model 28 frame because of the smooth cut.

This is the newer one. It has the larger yoke screw that has the spring plunger in it.

This is the older one with the old style yoke screw.

Older gun has full target hammer. Newer one does not.

And a picture to prove they are both 26-1s.

Technically, perhaps the one with the new frame changes should have been a 26-2?!

If you have one of these, check it out very carefully especially if you plan to fire it. Mine were full of gunk, and one was not fitted at all. I had to tap its yoke open with a plastic mallet. Spent a lot of time fixing that one.

 

[Engine49guy]

My friend member Allen Frame had one of the overrun guns, his end label also said kit gun.
I will text him a link to the thread as he has a wealth of knowledge on SW .45 revolvers.

 

[TheTinMan]

When a "Like" isn't enough!

I had a couple of questions on what I said about frame differences. I was making a comparison between frames on the over run guns. To make things clearer (hopefully) here are some pictures.

In this picture you can see the difference in the tops of the frames. The top one is newer and has the more rounded contour at the front top of the frame. The bottom one has the old style where the cut for the rear sight extends to the front of the frame. It looks like a repurposed Model 28 frame because of the smooth cut.

This is the newer one. It has the larger yoke screw that has the spring plunger in it.

This is the older one with the old style yoke screw.

Older gun has full target hammer. Newer one does not.

And a picture to prove they are both 26-1s.

Technically, perhaps the one with the new frame changes should have been a 26-2?!

If you have one of these, check it out very carefully especially if you plan to fire it. Mine were full of gunk, and one was not fitted at all. I had to tap its yoke open with a plastic mallet. Spent a lot of time fixing that one.

Thank you!

My example adds even more confusion. It doesn't have a target hammer, and the top/front of the frame is more rounded than cut square. That is like your "newer" example. However, mine has the older, smaller yoke screw.

Maybe KIT GUN means "We sat around one Friday afternoon drinking beer and throwing random parts together just for kicks."

My guess at this point is that the factory made an overrun of the tapered 5" barrels chambered in 45 Colt. Rather than toss 'em, they found a frame here and a frame there and built "Kit Guns".

Chip

 

[CH4]

Very cool
I didn't know of this model's existence. Other than finish, fluted cylinder and lanyard ring, how's it different from the 25-7 / 25-9?

 

[tennexplorer]

It has a tapered 5" barrel. It's like a 5 inch Model 27 but in .45 Colt. Very rare. Very well balanced. Lighter than a 4" 25-5 or 25-9; one inch longer barrel than a Mountain Gun. Something that should have been a cataloged item.

Also some model 25-9s have fluted cylinders.

"Maybe KIT GUN means 'We sat around one Friday afternoon drinking beer and throwing random parts together just for kicks.'" It does, sort of like kit bashing in the modeling world. It definitely does.

 

[CH4]

It has a tapered 5" barrel. It's like a 5 inch Model 27 but in .45 Colt. Very rare. Very well balanced. Lighter than a 4" 25-5 or 25-9; one inch longer barrel than a Mountain Gun. Something that should have been a cataloged item.

Also some model 25-9s have fluted cylinders.

"Maybe KIT GUN means 'We sat around one Friday afternoon drinking beer and throwing random parts together just for kicks.'" It does, sort of like kit bashing in the modeling world. It definitely does.

Or a blued Mountain Gun with a 5" barrel.

 

[bananaman]

Beautiful revolver! Thanks for posting. Of course I like 45 Colt. Bob