65kaiser
Member
Going to look at one. Did these have dash #'s? What year did they start offering this in a 4" barrel? Owner claims 95% no original grips and no box. Anyone have an idea on value?
Model 1955 45 question
- Thread starter 65kaiser
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gjamison
Member
I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they offered it in a 4". Post some pictures if you can.
moosedog
Member
Originally there was the 1955 Traget with no model number (pre 1957) then the model number 25 was assigned, then the dashes came up to a 25-2 in 45 ACP/Auto Rim.
There were special order pre 25s and up that came in different barrel lengths, which only a factory letter would confirm. Rare.
In the mid 1980s they made a 25-5 which was in 45 Colt and came in 4, 6 and 8 3/8th inch barrels. But the 25-5 would not have a barrel marked 1955 on it.
There were special order pre 25s and up that came in different barrel lengths, which only a factory letter would confirm. Rare.
In the mid 1980s they made a 25-5 which was in 45 Colt and came in 4, 6 and 8 3/8th inch barrels. But the 25-5 would not have a barrel marked 1955 on it.
rck281
Member
The 1955 Targets were assigned a model number of 25 in 1957. There are many dash numbers to the present time. The early ones were typically in 45ACP and starting at 25-3 are most commonly in 45 Colt. The 4" barrel length typically started at 25-5 and were chamberedn 45 Colt. I'm not saying that there weren't earlier chamberings of 45 Colt and earlier rare guns with 4" barrels.
OP
65kaiser
Member
The owner states its a no dash. I thought 4" barrels were offered on the later models and the early models were a 6.5". I am thinking maybe the barrel was changed. Not sure if I want to drive an hour if its been modified.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yes, the 1955 Target had a standard barrel length of 6-1/2 inches from 1955 until about 1979-1980, when S&W reduced the barrel length to 6 inches. By then, the 1955 Target had reached Model 25-2 in the model number scheme.
S&W never cataloged the 1955 Target in any barrel length other than 6 and 6-1/2 inches. Most guns seen with barrels shorter than that were after-market gunsmith jobs, but S&W would make up shorter barrel lengths for special orders occasionally. The ones I have seen that lettered were all 5 inchers, not 4 inchers.
I believe S&W made up a batch of 4 inch barrels for the 1955 Target that they would install on customers' guns. Doc44 has a 1950 Target that belonged to Remington Arms earlier that had one of these barrels installed later in it's life. I have a Model 25-2 that has one, but it letters as having shipped as a 6-1/2 inch gun. The markings on these 4 inchers is placed way differently than they would be if they had been just shortened, longer barrels.
I have long wondered why S&W didn't make the 1955 Targets with 4 inch barrels as catalog items. I believe that they probably had made a conscious marketing decision to push their "own" cartridges, the 3 Magnums, as holster guns for those wanting 4 inch, adjustable sight N frame holster guns, as the .357, .41 and .41 Magnum cartridges were linked to their developers, S&W, in the minds of most shooters, while the .45 ACP and .45 Colt were often linked mentally to S&W's competitor, Colt.
S&W never cataloged the 1955 Target in any barrel length other than 6 and 6-1/2 inches. Most guns seen with barrels shorter than that were after-market gunsmith jobs, but S&W would make up shorter barrel lengths for special orders occasionally. The ones I have seen that lettered were all 5 inchers, not 4 inchers.
I believe S&W made up a batch of 4 inch barrels for the 1955 Target that they would install on customers' guns. Doc44 has a 1950 Target that belonged to Remington Arms earlier that had one of these barrels installed later in it's life. I have a Model 25-2 that has one, but it letters as having shipped as a 6-1/2 inch gun. The markings on these 4 inchers is placed way differently than they would be if they had been just shortened, longer barrels.
I have long wondered why S&W didn't make the 1955 Targets with 4 inch barrels as catalog items. I believe that they probably had made a conscious marketing decision to push their "own" cartridges, the 3 Magnums, as holster guns for those wanting 4 inch, adjustable sight N frame holster guns, as the .357, .41 and .41 Magnum cartridges were linked to their developers, S&W, in the minds of most shooters, while the .45 ACP and .45 Colt were often linked mentally to S&W's competitor, Colt.
This is the 1955 Target 45 referred to in BUFF's post above. It is a fun revolver to shoot and quite accurate.
Bill
Bill
