Model 1955 N Frame, the Good, the Interesting, the Ugly

[Casual Smith Nut]

The Good:
-got a new gun
-45 caliber makes big holes
-Smith & Wesson N frame ...what’s not to like

The Interesting
-has the uncommon U or W type mainspring
-only just learned about this in Elmer Keith’s book Sixguns
-not sure if it’s original to this gun but serial puts it in correct timeframe
-model 1955 stamped on barrel but cylinder is 45 Colt

The Ugly
-serial numbers match everywhere except cylinder
-I’m guessing that someone bubba’d this gun and either reamed and modified an older 45 acp cylinder (serial S 114118 vs rest of the gun barrel, crane, and butt is stamped S 143309... under extractor also matches cylinder)
-the chambers are recessed which I don’t think is typical of S&W chambered for 45 colt
-paid more than I should have but I knew beforehand about the serial discrepancies and the fact that it was chambered in 45 colt. The W/U mainspring made me do it! Plus I was wanting a 45 Smith N frame pretty badly. No regrets I intend to shoot and enjoy it in 45 colt. Some of you may have seen this one on gunbroker which only ended the other day.

I’d be interested to know input from forum members. I doubt the modification was factory job. Different mainspring gives a different feel for trigger pull don’t know quite how to describe it. It’s smooth but a little heavier than normal mainspring. Also not adjustable via the strain screw.

Also if anyone does have a blued 45 acp cylinder sitting around...

The Photos:

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

More photos

Also part of “The Ugly” the grips are probably supposed to be Coke Bottle grips but these will do.

 

[BC38]

Does it have a strain screw hole with threads? If so I would venture a guess that the W spring isn't original.
Although they aren't Cokes and are newer than the gun those football target stocks are anything but ugly.

 

[22hipower]

Nice gun, I wouldn't mind having one in 45 Colt. The gun probably would not have left the factory with "cokes." Likely had diamond magnas or perhaps non-relieved targets. Here's my pre-24 (SN S 143742) with magnas numbered to the gun and a set of non-relieved targets (130285) which now reside on one of my pre-26s.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[ddixie884]

That is probably a .357 cylinder rechambered to .45 Colt.

 

[hibbs]

I have 1955 Target 45acp. # S143287 that has the W main spring and the action is as smooth as silk. Much nicer than my other 1955 target # S165024 with the single, traditional main spring.

Richard

 

[Muley Gil]

Does it have a strain screw hole with threads? If so I would venture a guess that the W spring isn't original.
Although they aren't Cokes and are newer than the gun those football target stocks are anything but ugly.

The revolvers that came with either the "U" or "W" mainsprings were still drilled and tapped for the strain screw.

The OP has a "W" mainspring. The "U", well, looks like a U.

 

[Murdock]

A .45 ACP cylinder should not be too hard to find. They are on fleabay once in a while, and not too pricey.

I'd bet this conversion was done using a M27 cylinder during the 1970s, when all N frames were in big demand, and the large bores were very hard to obtain. The recessed chambers you describe are a dead giveaway.

Also, the frame lug would have been modified to accommodate the longer M27 cylinder. If you do obtain a 25-2 cylinder it will work, but in the open position will slop fore-and -aft because the frame lug hs been modified or changed out to handle the previously-magnum cylinder.

S&W did make some M25-2's in .45 Colt (see the SCSW) with .45 Colt cylinders of the same length as the ACP cylinders, so the frame lug will work with either cylinder. They are more scarce than .22 LR M53 cylinders today.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Thanks Murdock I’ll keep an eye out for M25 45 acp cylinder since it would be neat to have both capabilities. I’ll measure the OAL of the current cylinder with calipers to see if it matches M27 or M28.

Hibbs, I agree the action is as smooth as silk. It is definitely heavier though on my particular example. Single action hammer release is heavier than other examples from the same era. Is yours also like this? I’m wondering if the W mainspring has anything to do with that. I could swap strain screws and traditional leaf spring to find out.

BC38 you asked if it had a strain screw. Yes it does but cut shorter so as not to make contact with the mainspring when fully screwed in.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Measured the current cylinder OAL. It measures 1.621 inches. I don’t own an M27 for comparison. Anyone else care to measure their older M27 cylinder or old N frame 45 colt cylinder?

 

[fleabus101]

I would recommend picking up a mainspring and orig strain screw to play with your Smith.
I have both I would send to you if you'd like to try it out..
Send me an email..
[email protected]
Best Randy ����

 

[SS336]

Interesting revolver. Looking at your pictures there are so many things that make me say what? why? huh? Have you shot it yet?
That replacement cylinder took a lot of work, I would think. Never saw a 45 Colt cylinder recessed like that.
You have a very unique revolver that someone put a lot of effort in. I am looking forward to seeing what our experts find out.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Thanks Randy. I another N frame 44 from which I could pull the mainspring and strain screw and play around with it.

SA336 no I have not had a chance to shoot it yet but my colt reloads chamber just fine so I’m looking forward to it.

 

[2152hq]

The intersect of the tips of each of the ratchet star finger along with the matching edge of the cylinder of each chamber show some evidence of being 'chewed' up.
Looking at the pic of the rear face of the cylinder...

Probably firing pins hits to the rear face of the cylinder, the cylinder skipping past the lockup when operated quickly in DA.

But these strikes may just be remnants from what was on the donor cylinder. The Mod 27 is a common victim for that sort of damage.
In the rechambering to 45Colt for this gun, all that old damage could have been cut away except what for what little metal is left betw the chambers.
That's only a guess of course.
I'd check the lockup on the gun to make sure it doesn't still have that 'skip-by' issue.

 

[Retired W4]

That piece was definitely built for a leaf spring (cut in lower grip frame and strain screw). I would take it back to that configuration, which should be easy to do. That would also relieve the extra tension on the trigger rebound. JMHO

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

The timing is correct and lockup is solid for the cylinder.

For trigger pull I’ll do a screw and spring swap this evening and let y’all know how it goes insofar as felt difference in trigger pull. Even if it’s better with the swap I’ll probably still leave the W mainspring for its novelty (new to me anyway).

 

[Muley Gil]

The "W" and "U" mainsprings were an attempt to give target revolvers lighter actions. IIRC, there was uneven ignition and S&W went back to the traditional flat mainspring and strain screw.

 

[153]

Always wanted one of those “W” mainsprings, IIRC Elmer Keith thought they were great and was going to put them in all his N frames.

 

[handejector]

The 5 on the left toe tells us the gun shipped as a 45 cal originally. The cyl is a rechambered 357 or 44 Mag.

I tried the W and the U back in the .......70s?.....80s? I did not like them. Can't remember exactly why- something about the feel did not suit me. Bill Orr had a big box of each on his table at gun shows back then, so it's a safe bet many have been added to guns that did not ship with them.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Well I swapped mainspring and strain screw from my model 629-4. Trigger pull is definitely lighter with the traditional leaf main spring both in single and double action. I have to say though that the what the W spring lacks in weight, it makes up for in being smoother. It’s nice to have options.

Speaking of options, now the search begins for a Mod 25 cylinder in 45 acp.