Further report comes later...

[Truckman]

I still have not seen pictures of this one, so the jury is still out on whether it's worth the drive...A fellow answered an ad I have in Texas Gun Trader with what he describes as...

...a pre 25 heavy barrel revolver that is all original with no gunsmithing done to it.
All serial numbers match as do all the assembly numbers. The 13074x serial is the lowest I've ever seen for a pre 25.All the others in this group of serial numbers are pre 29.
I'd rate the original bluing at 95% to 98% with a great bore.

The S/N (with "S" prefix) puts the production date around 1955...His initial price is $1300 which is at least within striking distance of what I could pay for it...Right now I'm waiting to see some pics which he promised, but if a deal can be made it's still a 400 mile round trip and $100 worth of diesel just to see it...Any thoughts on the worthiness of such a journey for this 6.5" Model of 1955 with no box would be appreciated......Ben

 

[22hipower]

On the plus side the pre-25s don't show up all that often, where I shop anyway. $1300 seems a bit on the high side but if the pictures show it as a 98% gun then I'd still be interested at that price. The 400 mile round trip would probably be a show stopper for me; another will show up locally eventually. . . . .or something else I "need" just as badly. That $100 of diesel is really more like $200 if you crank in "wear and tear." Not to mention blowing most of the day on the trip. Good luck, if you get it we certainly want to see pictures. Or maybe post the pictures the seller is sending and we can further comment on value.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Wiregrassguy]

it's still a 400 mile round trip and $100 worth of diesel just to see it.

Hey, Ben, sounds like you could rent a Prius for the day and save money...jes sayin'...

 

[series guy]

I bought one recently for that price but it included around 1200 rounds of ammo. It was only a 250 mile round trip for me. I'm happy that I bought it. You don't see these very often.

 

[Fishinfool]

Price certainly seems ball park if it is in the condition described. As far as the drive, I've driven farther for less....

Larry

 

[fleabus101]

Its all about its condition and what least he'll take for it.
Buy it if you really want one..
Best on your poss buy..

 

[rct269]

What the hell difference does it make?!!!

When tomorrow comes you're going to have more money than you have today---right?!!! RIGHT!!

Are you going to have a chance at another gun that lights your fire tomorrow as well? Well---maybe, maybe not----probably not now that you mention it.

Are there any questions?!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Truckman]

What the hell difference does it make?!!!

When tomorrow comes you're going to have more money than you have today---right?!!! RIGHT!!

Are you going to have a chance at another gun that lights your fire tomorrow as well? Well---maybe, maybe not----probably not now that you mention it.

Are there any questions?!!

Ralph Tremaine

All valid points, Ralph...I can further report that it is indeed a 5 screw...Negotiations are in progress......Ben

 

[rct269]

All valid points, Ralph...I can further report that it is indeed a 5 screw...Negotiations are in progress......Ben

Thank you!!

Good Luck!!

In the for what it's worth department, mine (S160970---about flat mint) sold for $2500 and change within the last two years---Gun Broker auction.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Simson-Suhl]

The Trip

Take the trip! Take the wife, girl friend, shooting buddy, or the dog. You will see new things, people, eat at a cafe you have never been to before. And there is nothing better than to hold in your hand the revolver/pistol you have an interest in.
I once made a trip from OKC to a small town near Waco Texas to see a mint/as new S&W that I had an interest in. Needless to say, their idea and mine were not on the same level. Still I did enjoy the trip.

 

[Truckman]

I've agreed to go see it on Sunday after a detour to a local gun show...The gun show at least justifies the trip even without the .45...We negotiated a price which compensates me for the additional diesel I'll burn...I'll report with pictures next week if the deal is done...The pic I have is unclear, but the stocks may be cokes......Ben

 

[S&WIowegan]

Pre-25s

I have two of these(I think) and they rarely appear for sale anywhere. I don't know how many were made before Model numbers appeared but it's a short period. My observation is I believe S&W N-frame production during the 1955-57 period was primarily focused on Highway Patrolman and pre29 production.
Very important is the stocks which were Walnut full-size diamond checkered with no cut-outs. The stocks alone are worth many hundreds of dollars and if they've been harvested I wouldn't make the drive(even in a Prius).

 

[Truckman]

Very important is the stocks which were Walnut full-size diamond checkered with no cut-outs. The stocks alone are worth many hundreds of dollars and if they've been harvested I wouldn't make the drive(even in a Prius).

The stocks are definitely diamond walnut targets with no cutouts...The seller says he was told when he bought the gun several years ago that they were original......Ben

 

[StrawHat]

I know I would be interested!

Kevin

 

[Troystat]

Sounds like a worthy purchase. Show us photos if you get it.

 

[fleabus101]

So, according to your report it does have un-relieved
Target stocks..poss a factory set on this N Frame worth at least 3 bills up.
Sounds like a nice aquisition if yall can agree on the
price..
Best on your trip and poss deal..

 

[Truckman]

So, according to your report it does have un-relieved
Target stocks..poss a factory set on this N Frame worth at least 3 bills up.
Sounds like a nice aquisition if yall can agree on the
price..
Best on your trip and poss deal..

I'm home with it now, and it's everything the previous caretaker said it was...5 screw frame, 3 T's and near mint...The grips are unrelieved, black washer, diamond targets...To my knowledge from what I was told it may have never had an ACP round through it, only autorim...The rear face of the cylinder has zero marks from moon clips...

Does anyone happen to know the earliest reported S/N for a Model of 1955?...I will be asking Roy for a ship date at my first opportunity beginning tomorrow...I've already decided to letter this one when the moratorium is lifted...

I need a day or so to rest up from my 800 mile weekend, and wipe the fingerprints and drool off this one and the other two I adopted this weekend...After that I'll post pics...As a bonus the previous caretaker is a member here...Perhaps he'll introduce himself if he reads this...

 

[StrawHat]

I'm home with it now, and it's everything the previous caretaker said it was...5 screw frame, 3 T's and near mint...The grips are unrelieved, black washer, diamond targets...To my knowledge from what I was told it may have never had an ACP round through it, only autorim...The rear face of the cylinder has zero marks from moon clips...

Does anyone happen to know the earliest reported S/N for a Model of 1955?...I will be asking Roy for a ship date at my first opportunity beginning tomorrow...I've already decided to letter this one when the moratorium is lifted...

I need a day or so to rest up from my 800 mile weekend, and wipe the fingerprints and drool off this one and the other two I adopted this weekend...After that I'll post pics...As a bonus the previous caretaker is a member here...Perhaps he'll introduce himself if he reads this...

Sounds great, looking forward to photographs and more information as it comes in.

Kevin

 

[Truckman]

According to information today from Roy, it shipped in May 1959...I'm still wiping finger-goobers and drool off for its camera debut......Ben

 

[Truckman]

The promised pictures...Not the best I've ever taken, but the sun's not even up yet here......Ben

 

[Shrike6]

That, sir, is one beautiful pistol! Enjoy it!

 

[series guy]

Your gun must have hung around in inventory for a spell as the 4th edition lists S130XXX range being '54 - '55 yet the gun shipped in '59. I have this same gun with non-relieved stocks also in the S166XXX range so even though the catalog estimates '56 - '57 I guess I'll have to letter it to find the actual ship date. I would have thought that both of these guns were a bit late for non-relieved stocks but who knows for sure. No matter they are just fantastic guns to shoot.

 

[StrawHat]

Ben,

When you get tired of it, let me know!

Gorgeous.

Kevin

 

[Truckman]

Ben,

When you get tired of it, let me know!

Gorgeous.

Kevin

Sure, just as soon as I get tired of it, Kevin, I'll let you know......Ben

 

[StakeOut]

I was really happy to meet Ben on Sunday but quite sad parting with this fine firearm with all matching serial numbers and assembly numbers.
There comes a time you just must let go!Well thats what my wife tells me
Members on this forum have always been pleased with what they received and have found my descriptions accurate.
Tomorrow I will have the pleasure of meeting another forum member.

 

[Truckman]

I was really happy to meet Ben on Sunday but quite sad parting with this fine firearm

It's found a good home, Bob...It was my pleasure meeting you and your wife...Taking this old cannon home made a long drive a little easier......Ben

 

[S&WIowegan]

Serial numbers for pre-25s

Ben,

My two have the following serial numbers:
1. S160584,
2. S165574.

I don't have ship dates.

 

[Truckman]

Ben,

My two have the following serial numbers:
1. S160584,
2. S165574.

I don't have ship dates.

Two?...Dang! I'm behind the curve again!...I need to look faster......Ben

 

[StakeOut]

When I became the pre 25 Model of 1955 caretaker I tried researching the serial number.
What I found was that S130740,S130741,S130742,S130743 and S130744 were all pre 29.Seemed a little odd that one in that group was not a pre 29.
But then again this is Smith and Wesson and odd is common.