Odd Revo

[5Bshooter]

The first time I saw this in the local pawn shop I wrote it off as some backyard gunsmith wunna be's attempt [and poor at that] to make a bowling pin gun. The fact I didn't have a .45ACP revolver, and the low price kept me coming back to see it. The trigger is amazing, the cycinder spins as smooth as any I have shot/held,but the odd assembly of appealingly unthought out parts was more reminiscent of a platypus, rather than my dream "old" Smith.



Here are a few pic's of what I just bought. I have had one conversation with a Smith Historian, and I'll wait until you all have your chance at it before I relate what he told me about it. I'm sure more than one of you will know right off the bat what it is, but I was shocked --at least, by what I'm assuming it to be at this point. My initial impressions may be correct in hind sight...
Serial number is S1606XX

 

[5Bshooter]

The first time I saw this in the local pawn shop I wrote it off as some backyard gunsmith wunna be's attempt [and poor at that] to make a bowling pin gun. The fact I didn't have a .45ACP revolver, and the low price kept me coming back to see it. The trigger is amazing, the cycinder spins as smooth as any I have shot/held,but the odd assembly of appealingly unthought out parts was more reminiscent of a platypus, rather than my dream "old" Smith.



Here are a few pic's of what I just bought. I have had one conversation with a Smith Historian, and I'll wait until you all have your chance at it before I relate what he told me about it. I'm sure more than one of you will know right off the bat what it is, but I was shocked --at least, by what I'm assuming it to be at this point. My initial impressions may be correct in hind sight...
Serial number is S1606XX

 

[mwc]

sn puts it at 1956-57, its a pre 27 frame from the top strap checkering. badly polished and reblued based upon the fit at the frame and crane....wearing k frame grips i think.

 

[diamonback68]

At first glance, looks like a re-blued and re-barrelled .357 Magnum or as some call it a pre-27.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I think it was originally a 357, now it's something else.

 

[H Richard]

I'd say this is a PPC gun built on a pre 27 frame. Very popular some years ago, but most were built on K Frames rather than N frames. Looks like the previous owner had an old pre27 laying around when he wanted a PPC gun built.

 

[gunnut44]

At one time it was a beautiful 27.

 

[batex]

Yes, it looks a little odd, but I like it. Given the fact it is finely tuned and the price was right, I'd be happy to own this odd ball, especially given it's in 45 ACP. Yes, its too bad we "lost" a nice Model 27, but that was probably done long ago. How does it shoot?

 

[DaveWW]

I agree with the PPC theory, I believe that's a Clerke(Clark?) barrel. I've seen them on alot of model 10 PPC guns, the slab-sides are the giveaway.

 

[azmick]

that serial number just ain't right

 

[5Bshooter]

The S&W historian stated it sounded by my description to be a limited run pre-model 26 Target, built in the late 50's. He stated the barrel was factory correct, and all the details indicated it as such.

Any thoughts? I will find out what I have to do to get a proper provenance if it seems worth it to do so.

FWIW, I thought it was a butchered 27 as well. I guess the serial number places it as a pre-26. I'm researching that now. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Guest]

I too would think that it is a gun "built" for PPC but it is a bit of a 'strange' caliber since the "usual" caliber for these revolvers was .38 S&W Special. Frankly, it doesn't look to have been done very well. Kind of like a High School Project kind of thing.

I did know a PPC shooter in the '70s who used a Model 29 that had been Customized very much like this - Only very well done and not as crude as this one.

MAK

 

[tjpopkin]

I had a pre 28 PPC gun done by the Maryland gun Works, Lou Cimmillo, for a Norwegian shooter who's name Is Swenson?///
Incredible gun and looks like this gun without top strap checkering....The gun was incredible, and DA only, but that was easily undone.
Terry

 

[s&wchad]

I think quite a few people already nailed it.

You "X"ed out the last two digits of the serial number and that threw me for a minute. It was a 1956-57 Pre-Model 27 that was rebarreled, re-cylindered, re-blued and has what looks like post 1972 K frame presentation Targets on it. The logo has been polished clean off. No S&W rework marks that I can see on the frame and I'd bet money that S&W didn't do that. If it shoots good, love it!

Where's my manners. Welcome to the forum!

 

[moosedog]

It looks like a pre 27 that was converted to a bull barreled competition gun. If the price is right, buy it. Guns were made to shoot and that looks like a shooter.

 

[5Bshooter]

Thank you everyone, and thanks for the nice welcome s&wchad.

I snagged it for $250 with 25 new moonclips and two boxes of ammo --admitably just std. ball, but what the heck!

The barrel internally looks very clean, much better than the outside of the gun. I'm going to shoot the thing and go from there.

 

[s&wchad]

$250???? Oh yeah!!!!!

 

[smith revolver cop]

5Bshooter-

You should be arrested for theft: you STOLE that gun for $250 (with moon clips and ammo, no less!!!). Not sure about the history, but the slab sided barrel is obviously intended for PPC. Whoever did it in .45ACP was just way ahead of his time.

 

[BUFF]

PPC shooters are very gamey gamesmen. Just about anything that may pick up a few extra X's or points will be tried if rules don't disallow it.

I know a number of PPC shooters that tried guns in .45 ACP. The theory is that, on occasion, the larger bullet diameter will reach the next higher scoring line. All you have to do to get the higher scoring hit is to touch the line. Thus, a .38 bullet that hits 0.94" away from a scoring line will be worth one point less than a .45 bullet that hits in the same place, as the bigger bullet will touch that line.

I shot a few matches with a Model 29 Classic Hunter, a gun made with the 4 position front sight and a 6" barrel with full underlug, loaded with .44 Special ammo. I quickly learned that the downside of a .44 or .45 PPC gun was in much higher ammo expenses, whether you loaded your own bullets or bought them.

Yep, you stole that gun.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Welcome to the forum. You started of right....lots of photo's! Let us know how it shoots!