Smith Model 26-1 overrun

[Doug627]

I have a Smith pre-26 model. While researching this model, I made a search for the Model 26 no dash. Nothing came up. Then I found information on the Georgia State Police (GSP) Commemorative 26-1 model. While reading about these, there was reference to an overrun of the model without the GSP commemorative markings. There were 40 of these made. Does anyone here on the Forum have a 26 no dash or the 26-1 overrun? Would you please post photographs of these firearms?

 

[murphydog]

Funny you should mention this variant. Someone thought very highly of this one (link to very recent completed auction):

Just a moment...

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

BTW, that would have been a great duty revolver.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[sodacan]

A model marked Model 26 is a rare bird. I would like to see a picture of one, just to know that they exist.

 

[Hoosier45]

I have recorded two original Mod-26 marked revolvers. One was a 6.5" and the other was a 4/4.5" can't remember at the moment. Selfishly I wasn't too surprised by the recent auction linked above, as I own a LNIB example myself. A handful of them are owned by members here, but they are rarely traded/sold. I've only had a few shots at buying one, so it's a buy one when you see it.

 

[tennexplorer]

Here is an earlier thread with pictures.

26-1 and Culina Grips

 

[Pizza Bob]

Funny you should mention this variant. Someone thought very highly of this one (link to very recent completed auction):

Just a moment...

WOW! Three weeks ago I missed one of the overrun guns at a Cabelas (I forget where) that was advertised on GI for $1795 - by the time I called it was, as you would expect, already gone. Anybody on here get lucky?

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Doug627]

I saw the same thing. Cabela's in Rogers, MN had it on-line. I sent an email saying I would take it. When I called, I was told it had sold the week before. Then the Cabela's employee told me that they had had TWO LNIB. Both sold. One popped up on Gunbroker within a few days. I won the auction but it sure put a dent in my bank account. I started this thread to see how many of the members here had the others and asked for photographs to see them. I still have never seen a 26 no dash and was hoping someone had one to show us. I haven't gotten the firearm yet but am looking forward to it. I will let you know if it is as nice as the photographs murphydog posted.

 

[SmithNut]

This is the problem of seeing all these guns hitting the auction site a dozen or two years after selling one out of your collection......

Wow, if only............. nevermind....

 

[mchom]

Here is one…

I just picked up. NIB

 

[mchom]

Label

 

[AC Man]

I have a recently purchased model of 1950 pre model 26. I can't find much info on them. It was manufactured in 1958.

 

[mchom]

I too would love to see more 26-1's and especially a 26 no dash.

 

[StrawHat]

I have a recently purchased model of 1950 pre model 26. I can't find much info on them. It was manufactured in 1958.

There is a bit of information available on this forum. Start a thread, in the appropriate forum, include photos and the serial number. Lots of us will help, if we can.

Kevin

 

[Doug627]

Surely, there are more 26-1 owners on the Forum than have already come forward.

 

[Doug627]

Just picked mine up and it is as nice as the photographs posted by murphydog (same firearm).

 

[tennexplorer]

This is interesting. The Spec. Ord. for BBU7737 is 9115, which is a Julian Date for the 115th day of 1989.

Below is the box end for BBU7717 with a Spec. Ord. of 8335, which is the Julian Date for the 335th day of 1988. Only twenty numbers apart, but almost 5 months apart. The old adage about S&W doing things out of order is once again proven.

This is a picture of the box ends of 2 of the BBY serialed revolvers. Both have the same date as BBU7737. They also have the hand written numbers that appear to be the same handwriting.

 

[Patrick L]

Isn't a 26 a skinny barreled. 45 ACP? These guns look like they have long cylinders like a 25-5 45 Colt.

 

[TheTinMan]

I was thrilled to see that GunBroker auction at over $5,000. Then I felt sick to my stomach over the $1,795 at Cabelas because I paid over twice that a year ago for this 26-1:

So this example is from Special Order 9115, but look at the serial number. In an earlier discussion, I got the impression that not all 26-1 revolvers have identical frames. I was left with the thought that the overrun might have been barrels originally and Springfield just stuck them on whatever frame was handy that day.

Edit to add: does anyone think there is significance to the pencilled numbers on the box labels? I see no rhyme or reason based on the examples here. Also, any idea about the apparently random numbers above "Model" in the upper left corner?

 

[Doug627]

Thank you very much for the information.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Edit to add: does anyone think there is significance to the penciled numbers on the box labels? I see no rhyme or reason based on the examples here. Also, any idea about the apparently random numbers above "Model" in the upper left corner?

Many dealers write the inventory book page number (and sometimes line number) on the box to keep things straight.

Ivan

 

[Doug627]

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.

 

[Doug627]

Patrick L: The Model 26-1s are 45 Colt and not 45 ACP.

 

[tennexplorer]

So this example is from Special Order 9115, but look at the serial number. In an earlier discussion, I got the impression that not all 26-1 revolvers have identical frames. I was left with the thought that the overrun might have been barrels originally and Springfield just stuck them on whatever frame was handy that day.

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.

 

[TheTinMan]

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

 

[Patrick L]

Patrick L: The Model 26-1s are 45 Colt and not 45 ACP.

Thank you TheTinMan! I learned something today. But weren't 26s generally skinny barrel, adjustable sighted .45 ACPs?

 

[StrawHat]

Thank you TheTinMan! I learned something today. But weren't 26s generally skinny barrel, adjustable sighted .45 ACPs?

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

 

[mchom]

Yes. 45 Colt

 

[mchom]

Prob doesn't help…

S&W does not seem inclined to add the word Colt to gun or box.

 

[Patrick L]

Oh sorry! I was not careful when I looked back!

But thank you as well!