Kentucky Dave
Member
Does anyone have reference material telling how many .45 ACP Model 1955 revolvers were made in 1955?
How many made in 1955? Model 1955 .45ACP
- Thread starter Kentucky Dave
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I don't know of any studies on that question, but there cannot have been many. Well under a thousand, I would guess, and possibly not more than a couple of hundred.
Another way to look at early production might be to ask how many five-screw Pre-25s were produced, and how many four-screw Pre-25s. The model-marked 25s were so much preferred to the light barrel Model 26 revolvers that the 26 went out of production in 1961. The 25 went on to be a steady seller for S&W. Only about 2800 26s and Pre-26s were produced from 1950-1961. I suspect more 25s and Pre-25s were sold in their first decade, but I have no idea what that number would be.
That's a nice specimen.
Another way to look at early production might be to ask how many five-screw Pre-25s were produced, and how many four-screw Pre-25s. The model-marked 25s were so much preferred to the light barrel Model 26 revolvers that the 26 went out of production in 1961. The 25 went on to be a steady seller for S&W. Only about 2800 26s and Pre-26s were produced from 1950-1961. I suspect more 25s and Pre-25s were sold in their first decade, but I have no idea what that number would be.
That's a nice specimen.
THE PILGRIM
Member
OP
Kentucky Dave
Member
Wow!
Just Wow!
Just Wow!
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have no idea. But you have one so that puts you ahead of me.
Hard to say because of the company's well-known indifference to shipment (or in some cases even production) in serial number order. I can say that the earliest Pre-25s known to have shipped in 1955 have serial numbers that lie between S143100 and S143600. Caution: those are round numbers, not literal production boundaries, so I am not saying that first year production ran to 500 units. Some guns in that range may not even be Pre-25s.
Just to keep this as nebulous as possible, the S143xxx range includes guns shipped in later years. There is one Pre-25 known in the S161xxx range that is reported to have shipped in 1955, but I worry that the date may not be correct.
A couple of Pre-25s are reported with serial numbers in the S130xxx range, but I have my doubts about those as well. I don't doubt that the guns exist, but they may be prototypes, retrofits, or even something else entirely.
If you want to play the odds, a Pre-25 with a serial number of S143xxx is likely to be a first-year gun, and serial numbers above S150000 may point to later production. But it would take a letter to nail down a date for a single specimen.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Looks like mine is a little later down the road.
It's S166105. Still a 5 screw.
It's S166105. Still a 5 screw.
I don't know how many were made in the first year, but I know the earliest ones date to March 1955 and have serial numbers in the S143000 range. There are also a few in the S130000 range (I have examined at least one).
Bill
Bill
05CarbonDRZ
Member
I don't have a first year pre 25 but my 5 Screw is one of my most acurate Guns....Even with slightly oversized Cylinder throats.
OldDominion
Member
I'm the current caretaker of S143517 that shipped in July '55. I always had a thing for the unrelieved target stocks.
OP
Kentucky Dave
Member
Please tell me more about the "letter" and whether or not the letter answerer would be someone with knowledge of production totals for a given year.
Also, from my reading, I was under the impression that the Model 1955 was only made for 2 years (1955 & 1956) before it became the Model 25. Is that correct?
Thanks Gents!
I've got some other Smiths, but this is the oldest and my favorite.
Last edited:
I am lucky enough to own serial S130,9xxx that is stone mint original in the original box with 3-t's and grips are numbered to the gun. Been in a local collection since the 1980's and is all original. Maybe the earliest? I will start a new thread with pictures later on.
Model numbers were assigned by Smith & Wesson in 1957. That doesn't mean that all 1955 revolvers sold after that date were stamped M25 on the frame.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
Please do!
Just to add another number and date, SN S143439 shipped on 9/22/55 to Rex Firearms.
Bob
Bob
OP
Kentucky Dave
Member
FWIW, I have S1664xx which is not model marked but shipped in Nov 1958. May have sat of a shelf for a while.
OP
Kentucky Dave
Member
So if one is looking to "date" a S&W, do you consider when the firearm was made or when it was shipped to a retailer?
Yours is more in the serial number range of mine. I had fooled myself into thinking it was first year from a novice's searching in arcane S&W dating tea-leaves... Not like Martin guitars.
Yours is more in the serial number range of mine. I had fooled myself into thinking it was first year from a novice's searching in arcane S&W dating tea-leaves... Not like Martin guitars.
S&W kept track of shipping dates, not manufacturing dates. The BATF-E accepts these as the age of the firearm.
OP
Kentucky Dave
Member
Thanks! Very interesting to know that.
georgepittenger
Member
I have serial # S143587 that was shipped April 13 , 1955 .
Per the letter it was one of three delivered by S&W Asst Sales Manager F.H. Miller to Jesse Harpe Co. and was be shown at the Mid-Winter Pistol Match in Tampa , Florida .
A wonderful shooter , it's been refinished in nickel at some point and sports smooth Presentation grips rather than the specified checkered walnut targets .
Regards
George
Per the letter it was one of three delivered by S&W Asst Sales Manager F.H. Miller to Jesse Harpe Co. and was be shown at the Mid-Winter Pistol Match in Tampa , Florida .
A wonderful shooter , it's been refinished in nickel at some point and sports smooth Presentation grips rather than the specified checkered walnut targets .
Regards
George
DBWesson
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I am looking at S-165541 with a W spring in it's original Grey/Blue plane box.
Also S-144055 with a W spring in it's original Grey/ Blue plane box.
The end labels are marked 1950 Model 45 Target with the 0 marked out and replaced with a 5 to make it 1955.
These boxes are numbered to the guns.
I think these boxes were out before the Gold and before 1955 labels.
One box has grey metal corners and one has red.
DB
Also S-144055 with a W spring in it's original Grey/ Blue plane box.
The end labels are marked 1950 Model 45 Target with the 0 marked out and replaced with a 5 to make it 1955.
These boxes are numbered to the guns.
I think these boxes were out before the Gold and before 1955 labels.
One box has grey metal corners and one has red.
DB
DBWesson
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
S-143535 June 16, 1955
S-144055 March 15, 1956
S-144994 July 25, 1958
S-160140 Feb. 17 1956
S-161675 March 15, 1955
S-165531 Feb. 28, 1957 Flat Spring 99% I just sold for $1100
S-165541 Feb. 24, 1956 W Spring
I think that there was an S spring I do not have one.
DB
S-144055 March 15, 1956
S-144994 July 25, 1958
S-160140 Feb. 17 1956
S-161675 March 15, 1955
S-165531 Feb. 28, 1957 Flat Spring 99% I just sold for $1100
S-165541 Feb. 24, 1956 W Spring
I think that there was an S spring I do not have one.
DB
Modified
Member
I just want to add that the Model of 1955 is all around one of the most charismatic of all the post war S&Ws. I love mine.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
There was no "S" Spring only a "W" and a "U".
jw mathews
Member
I have an N-frame 44 Special 1950 target model # 1439xx rec'd in August 1955, so it is obvious (from sopme posts above) that some of the 1955 .45 target models with lower serial numbers were shipped later.
I am curious if frames were numbered (and placed in storage) BEFORE installation of barrels & cylinders, or if serials were applied only AFTER a gun had been completely assembled. Anyone know?
I am curious if frames were numbered (and placed in storage) BEFORE installation of barrels & cylinders, or if serials were applied only AFTER a gun had been completely assembled. Anyone know?
Frames were made and serial numbered on the butt. They were fitted with a side plate and yoke and stored by model. The side plate, yoke and frame were each stamped with the same "assembly" number. When a production order was received, frames were taken at random and fitted in Soft Fitting with a barrel and cylinder that were stamped with the butt serial number. The revolver was then disassembled and sent for final polishing and finishing in blue or nickel depending on the model. The completed revolver was then stored (disassembled) until a final order was received. The completed revolvers were taken at random and sent to Hard Fitting for final assembly, etc. This process resulted in a randomization of serial numbers and why many revolvers with lower numbers were shipped long after those with a higher number.
In late spring 1957, S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Department, which helped a little, but randomization of serial numbers still occurred.
Bill
In late spring 1957, S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Department, which helped a little, but randomization of serial numbers still occurred.
Bill
