Model 1955, .45 ACP Help

[Elvis Ray Bob]

Hey!

I just bought a Model 1955 at auction in South Central Michigan for $700 last weekend.

I have scoured our website and did not find very much activity or info on the Model 1955 S&W.

Are these .45 ACP target revolvers unusual?

It is SN, S15957* (Mfd 1955?), 6 1/2 heavy barrel, five screw, target trigger and hammer. The stocks are: diamond center, goncalo alves (coke bottle?) target stocks in excellent condition and appear to be original (ref. SWCA Journal, Vol.38, No.3, pg. 54, figs 1 & 2).
The Revolver is in 98% condition.

The only downside is, the barrel lettering, frame lettering, and S&W trademark are gold filled. Is the gold lettering "Bling" from a past owner?

I don't think I made a great deal for $700 but I need some positive reinforcement so I don't think I over paid either. It's a nice looking S&W and I promise to post photos when I figure the photo posting process out!

Regards,ERB

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The gold lettering is something someone did to it at some point.
Congrats on the N frame.

 

[bamabiker]

The gold lettering is something someone did to it at some point.
Congrats on the N frame.

+1 to what she said. Would love to see pics. You should be able to get the gold color out of the lettering without too much trouble.

 

[Art Doc]

Sometimes some alcohol will remove the added coloring in the letters.

The stocks will not be original if Colas as these (once again for the 1,000th time) only came on the 41s and 44s made 1956-1967. If they are Colas someone swapped them on and you scored big time as these will sell for $700 all by themselves. Odds are that they are not Colas.

The Model of 1955 became the Model 25 in 1957. Your serial does date from around 1955.

Unusual? Not really. The pre-model guns bring a premium. I don't think you got a great deal but you didn't pay way too much, either. I think you paid about gun store retail.

BTW- These big and heavy guns are a joy to shoot. I have one of the later ones (M25-2 from 1980).

 

[TSQUARED]

Given what the new stainless guns are seling for I think $700 for a pristine 1955 45 ACP is one heck of a good deal. That carbon steel is tougher than the stainless and the gun should outlast you and your heirs.

 

[Culina]

I think you did pretty good, not the deal of the century but you didn't overpay either.

 

[Sebago Son]

5-Screw Pre-25's are not common. I paid far more then you did 5 years ago and was pleased to do it.

Pull the stocks and see if the gun has the experimantal "W" shaped mainspring. This interesting feature adds to it's appeal and value.

Nicely done.

Drew
1802

 

[Elvis Ray Bob]

No Funky Spring!

I need to get the photo thing figured out so everyone can get a good look. I'll be able to get a positive ID on the stocks too.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

 

[flagman1776]

I have the M25-2 I bought years ago & I love it. I shoot mild target acp loads without the bother of moon clips, just flip them out with a fingernail. I also load 45AR which ejects easily. Oh yes, there's always the moon & half moon clips for acp.
I had a ramp front sight mounted at the service center years ago for holstering ease & smooth combat trigger. The original sight & target trigger was returned so I can swap it back if desired. I might take more doing to swap the sight back... I used to shoot qualifications with it.
Russ

 

[RdrBill]

Sir.
I will post a pic of one of mine. It should be very close to yours in appearance. I think you got a good deal on the price. The more original condition it is in; the better the deal. These guns seem to shoot pretty good. Have some range time with it.
Bill@Yuma



S 160485 from about 1956.

 

[Sebago Son]

Photos....

No Funky Spring!

I need to get the photo thing figured out so everyone can get a good look. I'll be able to get a positive ID on the stocks too.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

ERB,

If you want to mail me your photos, I'll put them up for you...

Only takes a minute or two.

My address is in my profile.

Drew

 

[leon riverrat]

I sold one of my 1955's recently for $800 and the buyer was glad to get if. They are getting harder to find in nice condition.

 

[45Wheelgun]

You should pull the grips and see if there is a serial number on the right grip. If I am not mistaken some (all?) Pre-25 target grips were numbered to the gun.

I think you did fine. I'm going to find what gun shops Saxon Pig is shopping at. Around here, that would be an $800-$900 gun at a retail shop.

Unusual? Rare? No, but you don't see them at every gun show either.

 

[Elvis Ray Bob]

Model 1955 Photo Attempt (finally)

I hope there are three photos of my Model 1955 .45 ACP S&W below. I think I need to get some better lighting so everyone can see my treasures better.

 

[Muley Gil]

Nice looking revolver.

Those grips (stocks) look like Cokes to me.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That is a nice old gun, and I think you did great. In my area, any nice 5 screw goes for a lot more than that!

The stocks look like "cokes", but they have been shortened on the bottom which will decrease their value substantially, and it also looks to me like the football recess was enlarged slightly as well.

 

[Onomea]

Like Saxon said, that gold oughta come right out. It's a paint like substance, most likely. It'll come out with Hoppes and a rag or toothbrush, too. Let it soak a little bit in whatever you wind up using. (Hmm. Betcher wife's nail polish remover would work.)

Sounds like a reasonable price to me.

 

[bamabiker]

Those pictures are fine. Thanks for showing it. Very nice.

 

[29-1]

pre-25

You got quite a deal on a 1956 pre-25 with the coke stocks. Here's one of the first 4 shipped in March, 1955 with the correct style non-relief targets.
Regards
Chuck

 

[29aholic]

Yep you paid about $300 considering the cokes (which I dont believe have been messed with) I am sure you can probably find someone who will trade a correct set of walnut targets and a dollar or two for those grips