S&W .45acp Pre-25 5-Screw ???

[Reloder28]

So, what do you think you have? A hybrid, at best?

 

[handejector]

I'm moving this to the discussion forums.

 

[CJS57]

If no serial number on the butt then run away from it.

 

[Rick Bowles]

It appears to be a nice but clearly not factory re-finish. It's odd that there are no markings whatsoever on the frame. No S&W on either side, no "Marcas Registradas" or MADE IN U.S.A., no serial number on the butt. As noted this may be a legal problem and how can you letter a gun without a serial number? There's not even an inspectors mark on the grip frame. Is there a number on back of the cylinder?
Here's a comparison of the grip frame with my first year pre-25.

 

[Art Doc]

Somebody spent a lot of time and money on this project. Far more than it would have cost to simply buy a 1955. Unfortunately, if the serial no longer appears on the frame, the gun is illegal. How about the back of the cylinder? Number there? Etch it into the frame under the stocks and hope for the best.

 

[arjay]

If you bought this from someone with an FFL ,you need to talk to them about a refund.

 

[larry21556]

If you look at the last photo of the frame you will see there are two pins in the frame. one is to locate the grips, the other is to secure the lanyard loop that has been ground off probably at the same time as the US markings and other butt markings ie: serial number. you have a problem here.

 

[larry21556]

Forgot to add that in my experience this is not insurmountable. ATF handles these cases on a fairly regular basis. Call your local office, tell them what you have. They can examine it, (try to raise the original number) these are rarely reported stolen, if not, they can assign a new number and you are back in business with a legal pistol. Just one option.

 

[Muley Gil]

To sum it up, you probably have a 1917 that has had its barrel replaced with a pre M25 1955 barrel. It is wearing an early 1917 hammer that has been altered to a target style. The trigger has a trigger shoe on it. The mushroom headed ejector rod has been reworked to fit the barrel shroud.

The frame has been fitted with a post WW II adjustable rear sight. It has had all of the normal markings, including the serial number, removed. It is equipped with post 1968 target grips and it has been reblued.

Truly a FrankenSmith.