Special Order Barrel Length Question

[05CarbonDRZ]

Where did S&W get the Barrels when a customer ordered a Gun with a non cataloged barrel length? Ie A pre 25 5",Pre 24 4" & 5",Pre 26 5",Etc. Did they just cut the longer barrel down or did they make the custom barrel from scratch?

 

[Art Doc]

It is known that in some cases the barrel were cut to desired length. The 5" M29s were cut from 6.5" barrels. With the 1950s and others I don't know. Maybe the experts around here will have some info. I have a 1950 44 Target that was returned to S&W and had a 5" barrel installed. Either they had one they had previously cut laying around or they made some in that length and had them available.

 

[JP@AK]

05CarbonDRZ
I can speak with certainty about one model only - the 365 copies of the Combat Masterpiece with a 5" barrel, made up on special order for the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1952. The factory pulled 6" K-38 tapered barrels out of inventory, cut them to 5", attached Baughman ramp front sights to them and assembled them for the MSHP. All but the last 30 shipped in 1952. The final shipment of 30 revolvers went out on October 13, 1953.
Here is a photo of the one in my collection:

This revolver shipped on October 3, 1952.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

05CarbonDRZ
I can speak with certainty about one model only - the 365 copies of the Combat Masterpiece with a 5" barrel, made up on special order for the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1952. The factory pulled 6" K-38 tapered barrels out of inventory, cut them to 5", attached Baughman ramp front sights to them and assembled them for the MSHP. All but the last 30 shipped in 1952. The final shipment of 30 revolvers went out on October 13, 1953.
Here is a photo of the one in my collection:

This revolver shipped on October 3, 1952.

Are there any stamps on the barrel flat or under the left stock on the frame?

 

[JP@AK]

The serial numbers match in all the right places, including on the barrel flat.
However, the stocks are not original to the gun. When this gun was turned in to the MSHP armorer for service near the end of its tenure, a pair of Magna stocks that had been removed from a Model 66 were put on it. They remain on it today. The Model 66 was being issued as a replacement to troopers at that time, and when this CM was sold to a retiring trooper, it was delivered in a Model 66 box, which I also have.

BTW - the serial number is stamped on the inside of the right grip panel, not the left one.

 

[JP@AK]

or under the left stock on the frame?

Just a fitter's mark.

I guess I misunderstood your question the first time I read it, so you can disregard the closing comment in my previous post.

 

[Doc44]

The earliest 44 Magnums with a 5-inch barrel were made by cutting a 6 1/2-inch barrel. When quantities began to be shipped in 1958, the barrel was forged in that length. 1950 Targets with a 5-inch barrel could have used a barrel forged for a ".357" Magnum in that length and those with a 4-inch barrel shipped after the Highway Patrolman came out, could have used a barrel made for this model. Prior to that, if there were any 4-inch guns, they would have been made from a cut barrel.

The 1955 Targets with a 4-inch or 5-inch barrel were most likely made from a longer barrel cut to the desired length.

This is all speculation on my part.

Bill

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Just a fitter's mark.

I guess I misunderstood your question the first time I read it, so you can disregard the closing comment in my previous post.

No problem,Thanks for the reply.

 

[paplinker]

The earliest 44 Magnums with a 5-inch barrel were made by cutting a 6 1/2-inch barrel. When quantities began to be shipped in 1958, the barrel was forged in that length. 1950 Targets with a 5-inch barrel could have used a barrel forged for a ".357" Magnum in that length and those with a 4-inch barrel shipped after the Highway Patrolman came out, could have used a barrel made for this model. Prior to that, if there were any 4-inch guns, they would have been made from a cut barrel.

The 1955 Targets with a 4-inch or 5-inch barrel were most likely made from a longer barrel cut to the desired length.

This is all speculation on my part.

Bill

Bill, Would a factory cut 5" bbl have the same exact stamping placement on the side as a forged five inch bbl?

 

[Doc44]

I would guess the roll markings would be applied after the barrel was cut and would be the same.

Bill

 

[bmg60]

Hi
the 1955 5 inch models 9 made they were cut from 6 1/2 and in the letter it says cut per service manager no charge.
and on one that is a later shipment and a 3 screw frame it says in the letter 10.00 to cut barrel to 5 inch.
Jim

 

[crsides]

I understand that Reg mag all started out with 8 3/4" bbl.s, and were cut to the customers order. roll stamp markings were in the same location, just forward of the frame. This was most likely to deal with the various bbl lengths offered, any 1/4" beween 3 1/2 and 8 3/4.

Charlie