S&W 26-2 1964 vintage

[toroflow1]

I picked up this revolver a few months back as I always liked the 1950 model version of the target .45 ACP for shooting. It is a bit strange as there was never a model 26-2, but this one is marked as such, and the serial # (S239xxx) puts it in the 1964 range. I looked it over good, and it does not seem to be a rework or reblue, as of someone taking a model 28 and installing a 45 barrel and cylinder on it, then rebluing. The gun looks all original. The cylinder has the serial # stamped under the extractor. Could this be a late version of the 1950 model .45? I believe the book says these were technically available until 1966. Thanks for any help in determining the pedigree of this Smith.

 

[Art Doc]

I'm no expert but I believe a marked 26-2 would be extremely rare and extremely valuable to a serious collector. Definately need to letter this one. And if the price is now $100...pay it.

 

[beagleye]

That's one you don't see every day.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

At least I can now know to have seen a picture of one. How does it group compared to a 25-2, I wonder?

 

[Tom_R]

According to SCSW the 26-1 was a re-issue in 1988.

It does not look like there was ever a 26-2. And if there was it would not be pinned and recessed.

The 26 (no dash) was serial numbered approximately
- S185000 - S211000

I wonder if this is a mis-Marked 28-2 that someone put a 45 barrel on it.

That barrel that is marked .45 CAL MODEL OF 1950 would be what the 26 would have.

This is a cool gun, but I don't think it is a real deal.

A letter will verify either way.

 

[Tom_R]

Can you take an over head pic of the rear sight?

If it is smooth, it would be from a model 28-2.

 

[toroflow1]

According to SCSW the 26-1 was a re-issue in 1988.

It does not look like there was ever a 26-2. And if there was it would not be pinned and recessed.

The 26 (no dash) was serial numbered approximately
- S185000 - S211000

I wonder if this is a mis-Marked 28-2 that someone put a 45 barrel on it.

That barrel that is marked .45 CAL MODEL OF 1950 would be what the 26 would have.

This is a cool gun, but I don't think it is a real deal.

A letter will verify either way.

The barrel does say ".45 CAL MODEL 1950". I have seen numerous 28s converted to a 1950 or 1955 .45 and know what to look for, and what they look like. A 28 in that serial # range (S239xxx) would have been stamped "MOD 28-2" on the frame in the yoke area. There is no evidence of a 28-2 stamp, nor any evidence of ANY markings except "MODEL 26-2" below the serial # in the crane/yoke area of the frame. The "font" of the "MODEL 26-2" stamping is identical to other period (1964-65 vintage) N frames I own (29-2 and 57). Also, the fact that the cylinder is stamped under the extractor star with the same serial # as the frame leads me to believe this may be a "clean-up" gun from 1964? I may get a Jinks letter, but would like to hear from a few more folks more knowledgeable about this than I. Thank you for the responses so far.

 

[toroflow1]

Can you take an over head pic of the rear sight?

If it is smooth, it would be from a model 28-2.

I can take a picture tomorrow in the light, but it is not smooth, the rear sight is ribbed exactly like my 1964 29-2 and 1965 57.

 

[Art Doc]

What is this "may get a letter" stuff? I already told you to definitely get a letter. You prove it's a genuine 26-2 and you may have a $4K to $5K gun.

It looks right to me, but you need the letter.

 

[murphydog]

It looks correct and legitimate to me. If so, it is on the level of the elusive model 28-1 that recently surfaced here.

Due to near-zero demand for this model in the 1960s, the history letter may very well show an interesting order or ship destination. If you don't get one, I bet 50 Forum members will pony up $1-2 (or whatever it takes) for a drawing to win it . Great find!

 

[Tom_R]

What is this "may get a letter" stuff? I already told you to definitely get a letter. You prove it's a genuine 26-2 and you may have a $4K to $5K gun.

It looks right to me, but you need the letter.

Totally agreed that a letter is in order here.

They never made a 26-2, according to the SCSW. The 26 was a very small run in the 50s, and the 26-1 was made in 1988 as a commentator reissue. But this one does look right so it is either a mis-marked 28-2 that was set up as a tribute to the 26, or it is legit.

I am interested in finding out too. The SCSW says it is too rare to put an estimated value on. All they say is, Four-Figure gun.

Hopefully it's legit and the information I am referring to is incomplete. Again a letter is a must here.

 

[BUFF]

Roy Jinks' book THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON states that the .45 Target Model of 1950 was made with no model number, beginning in February, 1950, and then Model 26 (model numbers began in 1957), 26-1 and 26-2, the last two variations being pretty unusual "and offer the collector a real challenge." The gun was dropped from the catalog in 1961, having been displaced by the .45 Target Model of 1955, with it's heavier barrel, which gun was assigned as Model 25 in 1957.

Jinks wrote that there were 2,768 .45 1950 Targets made before being discontinued.

So, yes, it is very probably authentic. And, probably one of the very last 1950 Target .45's made.

The Model 26-1 that was mentioned by Tom R was a different gun altogether. SCS&W III calls it the 1950 Reintroduction: Georgia State Patrol Commemorative. Manufactured in 1988-1989, it was a 5 inch gun chambered in .45 Colt. 800 were made, all but 40 having the gold-colored filled markings for the commemorative, smooth Magna stocks and a lanyard swivel in the butt. These were marked Model 26-1 but were built using the mechanical changes and updates of other N frames of that era, such as a non-pinned barrel. Had S&W followed their normal numbering scheme, this Commemorative .45 should have been model marked the 26-3, to my way of thinking.

And, it is REALLY worth a factory letter to confirm this. If you ever want to sell it, the letter will pay for itself numerous times over.

 

[BUFF]

Toroflow1:

Do you have the box or papers or tools for this?

I am excited to see this gun. All of the 1950's fire my imagination. My 1950 Target .45 was shipped way before yours, S/N S100373, gold picture box, with the dull finish, shipped September, 1954. I have a 1950 Military .45, S/N S94954, also in a gold box but bright blue finish, shipped in April, 1952.

I have four 1950 Target .44's, but they are also earlier guns, the highest of which S/N is S146562.

You may have one of the very last 1950 Targets made, of either caliber.

Fantastic gun!

 

[Doc44]

The revolver looks correct to me and while stamped 26-2, it is actually configured like most of the Model 29-1s (three screw frame and an old style extractor rod with a right hand thread). Super rare and very valuable revolver. I had a Model 26 in my collection for several years. It has serial number S193601. Definitely letter this revolver.

Bill

 

[glenncal1]

The blueing on the frame sure doesn't look like a 28 finish and doesnt look reblued (at least from what you can tell in pics). Way cool gun

 

[Tom_R]

Let us know the results of the letter from Mr. Jinks, if you do indeed get it Lettered.

Good Luck.

 

[handejector]

An interesting point-
The word MODEL is fully spelled.
I don't recall ever seeing that.
I am used to seeing MOD or MOD. with the period.
Has anyone else got a revolver with MODEL stamped in it?

Could you take the cyl and yoke out of the gun and get a good closeup of the frame stamping?
It might show something your eye doesn't see.

Even if it is an overstamp, we still won't know because we know the Factory has overstamped model numbers many times.

The gun demands a letter!

 

[toroflow1]

An interesting point-
The word MODEL is fully spelled.
I don't recall ever seeing that.
I am used to seeing MOD or MOD. with the period.
Has anyone else got a revolver with MODEL stamped in it?

Could you take the cyl and yoke out of the gun and get a good closeup of the frame stamping?
It might show something your eye doesn't see.

Even if it is an overstamp, we still won't know because we know the Factory has overstamped model numbers many times.

The gun demands a letter!

Yes, I will take better pictures this weekend when I return to my safe, with the cylinder/yoke removed. I do not see any overstamps, but clearer pictures for the experts to view is what is in order here! Thank you for all your responses thus far.

 

[Doc44]

We can speculate all we want, but only a check of factory records will determine if this revolver is correct. As soon as letter requests are being accepted, I would send for a letter on this revolver. Below is a photo of the Model 26 I had in my collection.

Bill

 

[BUFF]

Jinks' book also said that the factory did not understand why demand for the 1950 Target .45 was slow, and to stir things up, in 1953 they made 200 of the gun chambered in .45 Colt. I've seen photos but never a real one in person.