Pre-25 .45acp?? (Pic updates)

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Not as a factory model. Could have been a special order, or a gunsmith outside the factory, which means the work might be great or it might be ...not at all good. The really knowledgeable folks will come along after this and will certainly want pictures.
 
There was a Model 1955 offered with a 6 1/2" barrel. Very rare in any other length.

Do you have photos you can post or provide? Particularly of the sides of the barrel.

And because picture are nice, here is a Model 25-2 (successor to the Model 1955) with a 4 1/4" barrel. Not the roll marks on the barrel are just off center.

strawhat-albums-strawhat-picture24503-5312a702-16da-434e-a32d-372efb0ffd25-custom-model-25-2-left.jpeg


strawhat-albums-strawhat-picture24504-06fd4392-086b-48c2-8801-dbe3f4c185b0-custom-model-25-2-right.jpeg


Kevin
 
It does appear to have a 3.5" barrel, but not the heavy type of a model 1955. If a .45, it may be a cut-down model 1950, or bored out from a .357.
 
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murphydog said:
It does appear to have a 3.5" barrel, but not the heavy type of a model 1955. If a .45, it may be a cut-down model 1950, or bored out from a .357.
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So it's been confirmed by Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, in the records as a .45 Target, Model of 1955. It was ordered from the factory with the barrel cut to 3.5 inches, and it was fitted with a red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and gonzales target stocks. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least!
 
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rct269 said:
Does the foundation have anything to say about the two-tone finish we see in the pictures?

Ralph Tremaine
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Yes that was a main question I asked. Their response was, the heat treating of the cylidners and barrels sometimes shaded the blue a bit differently.
 
jaestridge said:
So it's been confirmed by Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, in the records as a .45 Target, Model of 1955. It was ordered from the factory with the barrel cut to 3.5 inches, and it was fitted with a red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and (edited) goncalo alves target stocks. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least!
Click to expand...

That is amazing, to say the least!
 
jaestridge said:
So it's been confirmed by Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, in the records as a .45 Target, Model of 1955. It was ordered from the factory with the barrel cut to 3.5 inches, and it was fitted with a red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and gonzales target stocks. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least!
Click to expand...

I would love to see better images and a copy of the letter if you would be inclined to share.

We have images of many standard revolvers but very few of the "factory custom" ones. You found a good one!

Kevin
 
Very interesting and unusual revolver. That was quite a find! Are you thinking of buying it? Looks like the sideplate had been removed more than once and the screws are a little buggered up, but that can be easily fixed. Probably needs a good cleaning. The cylinder stop appears to be dragging, too...any idea how smooth the action functions? I'll bet it's a great shooter.
 
Hawg Rider said:
Very interesting and unusual revolver. That was quite a find! Are you thinking of buying it? Looks like the sideplate had been removed more than once and the screws are a little buggered up, but that can be easily fixed. Probably needs a good cleaning. The cylinder stop appears to be dragging, too...any idea how smooth the action functions? I'll bet it's a great shooter.
Click to expand...

I have not put my hands on the gun yet. Possibly going to happen end of this week. Things tend to look different in person vs pics!
 
Mike said:
Barrel muzzle does not look S&W factory. Looks like it has been straight cut.
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Interesting.

I must have missed something. Where is there a picture of the muzzle of this revolver? I've looked through the photos in this thread a couple of times and don't see any that show the muzzle.

So, I'm just curious how you arrived at your conclusion.

Please enlighten me.
 
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I have a 25 no dash with a 4 inch barrel that has also had some trigger work done (and nicely too). A Baughman red ramp front sight. The barrel cutting was extremely well done. I believe Badger Sports did the work back in the day.
 
jaestridge said:
I have not put my hands on the gun yet. Possibly going to happen end of this week. Things tend to look different in person vs pics!
Click to expand...

Yes, given the variables of cameras, lighting, etc., I have seen "purple" guns in photos that did not look that way in person.

My guess is perhaps barrels and cylinders ("small" parts) were blued in different vats of the factory than frames. In this situation these parts tend to match each other but not the frame.
 
I know S&W made a couple of 1950 44 Targets with a 3 1/2-inch barrel and a couple of 1955 45 Targets with a 4 and 5 inch barrel, so anything is possible. However, without a full serial number, no research can be done to authenticate any S&W.

Bill
 
murphydog said:
Yes, given the variables of cameras, lighting, etc., I have seen "purple" guns in photos that did not look that way in person.

My guess is perhaps barrels and cylinders ("small" parts) were blued in different vats of the factory than frames. In this situation these parts tend to match each other but not the frame.
Click to expand...

Years ago, not all that many there was a Model of 1917 offered for sale on G.B. The finish appeared to be nearly pristine but it was a deep shade of maroon or plum, like a very nicely done browning job on a muzzle loader. I asked the seller about the color, he explained that his grandfather bought the piece new and intended to keep it put away just in case. He had stored it in a tin can of axle grease, all I could think was the early grease had a bunch of sulphur in it, hence that great smell of old vehicle transmission and differentials. That was all I could think of at the time that decades of sitting in that grease had done the job, no other explanation. He had a rather high opinion of the handgun and I passed on it. I'm more of a muzzle loader than anything else and the color was beautiful, very difficult to reproduce.
 
Pics updated. Actually had the revolver in my hands today. The gun has already been authenticated via S&W that is a factory customer ordered gun. The only issue that's lingering is the finish variations. S&W Historical can't say without having hands in the revolver that's it's been refinished. I've inquired multiple gunsmiths that re-blue and one says it's original and the other says it's not. The hardened casing looks too good to be since an old gun one says. The S&W Historical has weighed in on their own price point of this gem being original as well as devaluation if altered. I know it's worth what someone will pay but what's the line to draw if you have conflicting opinions on what you have?? Dollar value if you're in this situation??




 
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In my caveman opinion it's highly unlikely to be a factory original but man is it cool!

As to what it's worth …. Well for me the plum finish does hurt the value and points to a reblue as does the side plate seem and CCH on the trigger and hammer.

I think I would pay $800 for it?
 
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For comparison, there are two 44 Magnums known (one a pre-29 and the other a Model 29-2) that letter as being shipped with 3 1/2-inch barrel. The -2 variation sold a number of years ago for more than $6,000 (not sure what the actual selling price was) and the pre-29 has not been offered for sale but would certainly be in five figures (it is mint in the original blue case as I understand). The 1955 45 Target with the 3 1/2-inch barrel and finish issues (sometimes a refinish will result in a plum color) would be similar in price to the Model 29-2 described above, but probably somewhat less (the stocks are incorrect too). I think 3-4 thousand would be a good place to start. I would also want to see the letter and a copy of the factory invoice.

Bill
 
Great looking revolver the plum colour dose not bother me I have a model 29 and a 15 that looks exactly like this revolver barrel and cylinder plum
But the little step from the frame to the barrel dose
Still a winner
 
As Doc44 mentioned, I, too, would enjoy seeing the confirmation letter and any other documentation.

It is still a nice revolver but documentation, or lack thereof, will greatly influence the value.

Kevin
 
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