Ivan the Butcher
Member
Many dealers write the inventory book page number (and sometimes line number) on the box to keep things straight.
Ivan
Smith Model 26-1 overrun
- Thread starter Doug627
- Start date
Many dealers write the inventory book page number (and sometimes line number) on the box to keep things straight.
Ivan
OP
TheTinMan: I saw the penciled numbers and thought all of these firearms went to the same business. I asked Roy Jinks and he said no. See our conversation in the SWCA section.
OP
Patrick L: The Model 26-1s are 45 Colt and not 45 ACP.
Your impression is correct.
The upper revolver is the newer style frame (BBY serial number) and the lower is the old style (BBU serial number). The differences in these frames would be model dash changes in other models. Here it was like nobody cared.
Also the yoke screws are different.
BBY serial number frame with new style yoke and plunger style yoke screw.
BBU serial number frame with old style yoke and screw.
I agree they used frames that were "lying around." The BBU frame looks a whole lot like a Model 28.
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Tennexplorer - I am not clear on what to look for in terms of frame and yoke screw differences. Mine seems to be the only BBF serial number among these examples.
Does this fit with either the BBY or BBU examples?
Thanks in advance
Chip
Does this fit with either the BBY or BBU examples?
Thanks in advance
Chip
Patrick L
Member
Thank you TheTinMan! I learned something today. But weren't 26s generally skinny barrel, adjustable sighted .45 ACPs?
StrawHat
Member
Not TheTinMan,
But, yes, the Model 1950 Target and subsequent Model 26 was usually a 45 ACP, tapered barreled revolver.
However, the Model 26-1 was a different kettle of fish. I believe it was built for the Georgia State Police and the requested it be chambered in 45 long Colt. (Not near my 4th edition so if someone can check and correct me?)
Kevin
Yes. 45 Colt
Prob doesn’t help…
S&W does not seem inclined to add the word Colt to gun or box.
S&W does not seem inclined to add the word Colt to gun or box.
Patrick L
Member
Oh sorry! I was not careful when I looked back!
But thank you as well!
But thank you as well!
TheTinMan,
About the time these guns were made, S&W switched from a yoke screw that was one piece. It was the same as the lower sideplate screw that is to the rear of the trigger guard, except that it is fitted to the yoke, so the cylinder can open and close easily. That style is what is on the BBY guns.
The new one on the BBU gunsis larger in diameter and is in three pieces. There is the screw body, a tiny spring, and a pointed plunger that fits into a "V shaped channel in the yoke. The easiest way to determine is to take out the yoke screw and look at it.
As to the frames, the BBY guns' frames are more rounded on the top at the front of the frame. On the BBU guns, you can see the continuation of the channel that was milled in the frame for the rear sight body.
Your BBF appears to be the same as the BBU.
About the time these guns were made, S&W switched from a yoke screw that was one piece. It was the same as the lower sideplate screw that is to the rear of the trigger guard, except that it is fitted to the yoke, so the cylinder can open and close easily. That style is what is on the BBY guns.
The new one on the BBU gunsis larger in diameter and is in three pieces. There is the screw body, a tiny spring, and a pointed plunger that fits into a "V shaped channel in the yoke. The easiest way to determine is to take out the yoke screw and look at it.
As to the frames, the BBY guns' frames are more rounded on the top at the front of the frame. On the BBU guns, you can see the continuation of the channel that was milled in the frame for the rear sight body.
Your BBF appears to be the same as the BBU.
It might not be pertinent for collectors, but I knew some GSP troopers back when these were issued and they were happy with them until they started having lack of penetration problem through vehicles, especially glass obstructions. As I recall, upon the revolvers' mass replacement those that weren't purchased by the troopers were sold to a "cop shop" in Dekalb County. (Unless those were 25-5s from Doraville? Sorry, didn't keep notes way back then!) The name of the store may come to me at some point. Or if i can locate an old friend who worked there...
BTW, I'm pretty sure the issue ammo was the Federal 225gr LSWCHP.
ETA: It would seem the supply store is defunct. Nothing pops up in the area with a Google search.
BTW, I'm pretty sure the issue ammo was the Federal 225gr LSWCHP.
ETA: It would seem the supply store is defunct. Nothing pops up in the area with a Google search.
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The .45 Colt 26-1 was never an issue gun for the GSP, nor do I think any were ever carried as duty guns. It was a commemorative gun done for them by S&W and GT Distributors, the law enforcement distributor for Smith and Wesson. GT didn't buy the excess, they were the ones that sold all of them, spec'ing the gun with S&W, getting them engraved, having cases built, etc. There were a small amount of extra guns left over that were not made into commemoratives. I got two of them at the time from my old friend the late Bill Orr, founder of GT and highly respected S&W collector.
Another pertinent point is that I don't believe these are technically factory "overruns", as the non commemorative ones are often called in the threads about them. The commemoratives were built to order, and my understanding is that these were just guns from the original order that ended up not being needed for commemorative orders. At least that's my memory of what Bill told me at the time.
I always thought they were Model 25-5s, so where does the 26 fit in? We were in Doraville, and lots of of LE overlap in the area.
I always thought they were Model 25-5s, so where does the 26 fit in? We were in Doraville, and lots of of LE overlap in the area. Even the ATF hung about a lot, as their offices weren't but a couple of miles away. The.45 Colt Smiths were issued to somebody and were used for some time. The GSP certainly seems correct, but it has been 40 years, after all!
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The 25-5 .45 Colt was a regular catalog item, and many were used as carry guns at various departments all around the country. The 26-1 .45 Colt "Kit Gun", is a special makeup done exclusively for GT Distributors. They used them as the basis for the GSP Commemorative, of which a small amount were leftover and not made into commemoratives.
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Late to the dance here, but is the 26 akin to the mountain gun with the light barrel?
It is a light barrel, but 5".
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