Post Office Model 45

[blaser1234]

Are certain years of Post Office Model 45's more valuable or attract higher values than others i.e. 1960's versions
vs 1978 limited and last production version? All assumed to be in 99% or above condition with boxes and contents. Thank You for your replies.

 

[usm1rifle]

In my opinion, the earlier the better.

 

[DWalt]

All are quite scarce. It's been estimated that about 1,500 pre-Model 45s were made against USPO orders, but most of those seem to have vanished, probably as the result of destruction by the Post Office. So those would probably be the most difficult to find. Some over-runs are stated to have been sold on the open market, mainly through Greenblatt in NYC and H. H. Harris in Chicago. A few (20 is the usual number assumed) with 6" barrels went to the Boston PD for training in the high C 3xxxxx to low C4xxxxx SN range. An unknown quantity (probably 50 or fewer) was made in the C8xxxxx range as Model 45-2 (no 45-1 is known to exist). Some were made in 1978, but not model numbered. Some Model 45 numbered examples are known to exist in the C 4xxxxx and C 6xxxxx ranges.

As you can tell, there is not a great deal of reliable detail known about the .22 M&Ps beyond the fact of their existence as they were never cataloged. Therefore many collectors are not even aware of them, let alone any historical background information. Somewhat like the M&Ps made in .32 Long which are equally (or possibly even more) mysterious. But there are a few of both still to be found, possibly fewer than the number of known Colt Patersons.

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you for your reply. Noticed a ANIB 1960's version recently sold for $5300 plus range. Never saw similar pieces reach that threshold
Thank you, again. Appreciated.

 

[colt_saa]

Are certain years of Post Office Model 45's more valuable or attract higher values than others i.e. 1960's versions
vs 1978 limited and last production version? All assumed to be in 99% or above condition with boxes and contents. Thank You for your replies.

The most valuable are the 6 factory engraved model 45s that were part of the Smith and Wesson Factory Collection

They were sold at auction by Butterfield and Butterfield in 1996.

 

[H Richard]

One just sold over the weekend for $5375, as new in box.

 

[bdGreen]

One just sold over the weekend for $5375, as new in box.

Ha. And that was just the measly ol' four incher.

Who knew?

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[DWalt]

In a way, it is unfortunate that S&W never made the .22 M&P a catalog item. I suspect they would have probably sold quite a few of them. If anyone has more information to add about them, it would be most welcome here. I am not in the least surprised at the $5300 sales price for one ANIB. And in fact I wouldn't have been surprised had it brought somewhat more.

 

[rusty37874]

I bought # C883573 new in 1978 from Jensen's Guns in Tucson, just thought it was a cool gun. -- Just for giggles, I lettered it in 2013, It shipped June 12, 1978 to Lathrop Shooters Supply, Tucson, AZ.
Lathrop's was the distributor for Jensen's as I recall, both are now long gone.

 

[DWalt]

I bought # C883573 new in 1978 from Jensen's Guns in Tucson, just thought it was a cool gun. -- Just for giggles, I lettered it in 2013, It shipped June 12, 1978 to Lathrop Shooters Supply, Tucson, AZ.
Lathrop's was the distributor for Jensen's as I recall, both are now long gone.

On my list is another M45 with a close SN, C883652. But I have no other information about it - shipping date or to where shipped.

 

[GF]

Ha. And that was just the measly ol' four incher.

Who knew?

enjoy,
bdGreen

Send it back and have it nickled!!!

GF

 

[bdGreen]

The C883XXX guns were not 'manufactured' in 1978. The frames were taken off the shelf and assembled, per Roy Jinks.
A few, like colt_saa has pictured, were chosen to be sent out for class 'A' engraving and nickel plated. They didn't all get the same exact engraving pattern either. I believe Tom Freyburg? was the engraver.
They were dispatched in a couple of different ways. I believe that Smith auctioned one off and B&B auctioned the rest. B&B auctioned blue steel guns also.
Now, there were only 135 C883XXX guns left to clear out. I know that other C883XXX guns will prove out as having been shipped in the 60's. The frames were all built in the 60's.
They put them together and did not model mark the frames on the ones that were shipped in 1978.

So, to answer the original posters question...
Condition is the key.
Of course the four screw guns, along with condition, will command probably a 10% premium over a 'like' condition three screw.
And, as has already been declared, there aren't any Smith and Wesson Model 45-1's.
We did a round table about that very issue a number of years back with Jim S., Rick N., David C., and all those with skin in the Model 45 game. Totally agreed, none exist.


enjoy,

bdGreen

 

[bdGreen]

Send it back and have it nickled!!!

GF

I asked Roy if there were ever any Model 45's that were shipped from the factory with a nickel finish that were not engraved. He didn't imply that there were.

I would love to find a factory nickel finished Model 45. How cool would that be. Oh, and just think. A six inch nickel finished Model 45.

And no, I won't ship this unfired, unturned six inch gun back for a nickel finish. I will do it myself in my garage.


bdGreen

 

[bdGreen]

In a way, it is unfortunate that S&W never made the .22 M&P a catalog item. I suspect they would have probably sold quite a few of them. If anyone has more information to add about them, it would be most welcome here. I am not in the least surprised at the $5300 sales price for one ANIB. And in fact I wouldn't have been surprised had it brought somewhat more.

They sat on the shelf for twenty years.
The K model adjustable sighted guns were a big hit.
I don't think that Smith should have made the move to openly market a fixed sighted .22. Sell some? Yes. Sell thousands, I don't believe so.

I have watched these guns rise in pricing for quite a while.
I was still a little shell shocked when the gavel fell.
That gun was stellar in all respects and had a little extra paperwork that I don't even own.
Buyer got a winner. Seller did too.

bdGreen

 

[bdGreen]

I bought # C883573 new in 1978 from Jensen's Guns in Tucson, just thought it was a cool gun. -- Just for giggles, I lettered it in 2013, It shipped June 12, 1978 to Lathrop Shooters Supply, Tucson, AZ.
Lathrop's was the distributor for Jensen's as I recall, both are now long gone.

Just a little bit of trivia.
My C883515 shipped in February of 1966.
Goes to show ya.
You never know.

"both are long gone". What about the gun?

bdGreen

 

[k22fan]

[...] And no, I won't ship this unfired, unturned six inch gun back for a nickel finish. I will do it myself in my garage. bdGreen

Main Street Auto Body Repair's old bumper chrome tanks have plenty of length for a 6".

 

[texmex]

Main Street Auto Body Repair's old bumper chrome tanks have plenty of length for a 6".

Before stainless revolvers were available, those of us who worked on the coast (Port Aransas) fought a constant battle against corrosion. Another deputy's blue model 58 needed refinishing and he was considering nickle. A guy who owned a shop that chrome plated bumpers told him he could put a thick chrome finish on it and he would never have to worry about rust again. He was correct. The last time I saw it, it was the shiniest paper weight I have ever seen. The guy put a nice thick coat of chrome over a thinner coat of copper. Unfortunately, he didn't know you were supposed to disassemble it first.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Gentlemen:

The full story of the Model 45 revolvers has yet to be told. I think it would make an excellent subject for an article in the S&WCA Journal.

I'd volunteer but am already up to my eyeballs in Victory Model projects. Perhaps another S&WCA Member with an affection for the Model 45 could be persuaded to undertake authorship of such an article. I am certain that it would be very well received by Smith collectors.

 

[DWalt]

That would be a good project for someone with access to the records. I'd throw research about the .32 Long M&Ps into the same pot.

 

[rusty37874]

Just a little bit of trivia.
My C883515 shipped in February of 1966.
Goes to show ya.
You never know.

"both are long gone". What about the gun?

bdGreen

bd

Believe it or not, the gun still resides in my safe, it has not been shot by me, nor have I turned the cylinder since I have owned it, which is since new. -- BTW, it is a non model marked, (except for on the box.)
On the letter, Roy called it a non modeled 45 .22 M&P