The Model of 1950 .45 Target

[rck281]

Jim,
Do you know what the twist is on the M25 .45 Colt?
Same as the M25 .45 ACP?

I don't know about the twist but there are some differences in the rifling of the 45ACP barrels and of the 14 45 Colts that were shipped around June 1959. The usual Pre-Model 25 45ACP barrel has 6 narrow grooves while the 45 Colt barrel utilizes 5 wide grooves.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Thanks Dick, as I posted the converted M28-2 with a 1955 45 barrel shoots the ACP FMJ round better then a .45 Colt 255 gr KSWC.

 

[bigl1911]

Excellent write up David.. Searched out the post because I just purchased one of the younger siblings S94XXX....

 

[Hondo44]

That's a beautiful pair.

It's interesting to me that when S&W produced their "Classic" line of old model reproductions, they produced a version of the Model 1917 Military Model with a shrouded barrel which was never made.

 

[beagleye]

Excellent write up David.. Searched out the post because I just purchased one of the younger siblings S94XXX....

What is that non shrouded n frame, model 22? Are those stocks original to it?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes Model 22. Never came with PC Magnas, only N frame PCs came on the model 58 IIRC.

 

[CptCurl]

David,

Thanks for the informative thread. I am envious of your M1950 and the other fine examples posted here.

While I've not owned a pre-26, I have had a good number of N frames in the 1950 Target configuration, including numerous M27s and pre-27s, several M28s, and a few pre-24s. The pre-24s would be most similar to the pre-26 in shooting, balance, and handling. I must say that in comparison, I truly love my Model 1955 Target pre-25. Over the years, the pre-25 has become my favorite N frame for shooting. The extra weight out front really helps me, and I do need help. S&W got it right with the M1955 Target!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Yes Model 22. Never came with PC Magnas, only N frame PCs came on the model 58 IIRC.

Don't forget the model 520 NYSP guns. They came with PC magnas too.

 

[bigl1911]

The little brother...

 

[Dosgatos]

I once owned a pre-26 but sold it after being disgusted at poor accuracy with lead .45 Auto Rim ammo. The rifling is designed for jacketed bullets, and I didn't want to fool with half moon clips.

If I had handloaded with hard-cast lead bullets in Auto-Rim cases, it might have done well. I've seen published loads for those with Keith bullets that'd make the 26 a very effective revolver.

Frankly, I think the M-1950 .44 Spcl. is a more versatile gun, and the bulk of a .44 Magnum isn't really a whole lot more, in the right holster.

I totally agree with this. I sold a 1950 Target .45 (and have regretted it ever since) about six years ago to finance a different gun. At the time I owned a Model 624 and had the opportunity to shoot them back to back. I didn't find the .45 any more accurate than the .44, and the .44 was much more pleasant to shoot. On the other hand, the 1950 Target .45 is a very collectible gun, as only 2,768 of them were manufactured (the reason for my regret). You won't run into them very often! I eventually sold the M624 but recently purchased a 1950 Target .44 to satisfy my .44 Special addiction. BTW: Great article, David!

 

[Rick Bowles]

Yes Model 22. Never came with PC Magnas, only N frame PCs came on the model 58 IIRC.

The plain clothes magna stocks, though numbered, do not belong to that pre-M-22. However, in the collection there is an early M-58 (stamped model 58 with an "S" serial number) with non-matching grips. I'm hoping that these modified magna grips number to the model 58. I'll let you know.

 

[Hondo44]

Don't forget the model 520 NYSP guns. They came with PC magnas too.

As usual, IDRC, (I Didn't Recall Correctly).

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

As usual, IDRC, (I Didn't Recall Correctly).

You are right far, far more often than not my friend. A valuable source of info here on the forum, and I'm not alone in that feeling.


Besides, the 520 is relatively new compared to most of the guns we talk about, and is easy to overlook.

 

[ddixie884]

chopped and reblued

It still makes a good holster gun. It now wears the original magnas with a brass Tyler T-grip......

 

[kihnspiracy]

Hi
Here is a Model 25 made for Skeeter Skelton by S&W it has the 1950 barrel cut to 4 inch and a 1950 45 Colt Cyl. the frame is a 4 screw frame but when they shipped it in 1963 they marked it 25-2.
Jim

Orginal Invoice

That is a beautiful sixgun. I have a 25 no dash with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. I would love to find a 4 inch version for a daily carry piece.

 

[drdan314]

Model of 1950

After getting some help from the forum members on trying to identify whether my .45 acp/auto rim Model 1950 Target with factory swivel (S85XXX) was an early 'military' 1950 Target or a factory ordered Pre-model 26, I read your 2013 article...learned a lot. Was wondering if you might be able to add some info on the question.
Thanks

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello David
Excellent write up here on the Model of 1950 hand eject .45. I came onto this Model of 1955 the heavy barrel later made version about six Year's ago in one of the local gun shop's here in Knoxville. I Paid $600.00 for it out the door and have no regrets as these do not pop up often in my area. It is a non model stamped gun that left S&W in December of 1959 which is real late for a five screw non model stamped gun. MR Jinks shared with me that S&W had a surplus of five screw frames on hand to build for the Fierce Pre-29's that did not move quickly so that is where this frame came from. This gun is deadly accurate and one of my favorite range shooters as shown with it's six shot target shot @ The 25 yard range off of a sand bag rest. I hope someday to add a Model of 1950 as yours shown. Regards, Hammerdown

 

[wundudnee]

A few years back I was looking for a model of 1955 and had to settle for this model of 1950 ,45 cal. It has turned into my favorite S&W. I need to get serious and get it lettered. It appears to me that it is bright blue and I don't believe it has been redone.

I have got some flack about my flowery picture, but I think beauty compliments beauty.

 

[45Wheelgun]

I have got some flack about my flowery picture, but I think beauty compliments beauty.

I am less concerned about the flowers and more concerned about the "Bordello Red" velvet sheets.

 

[DCWilson]

After getting some help from the forum members on trying to identify whether my .45 acp/auto rim Model 1950 Target with factory swivel (S85XXX) was an early 'military' 1950 Target or a factory ordered Pre-model 26, I read your 2013 article...learned a lot. Was wondering if you might be able to add some info on the question.
Thanks

Interesting. The lowest serial number I know on a Pre-26 is S78950, lower than what you report. The lowest serial number I know on a Pre-M22 is around S85750 -- near your gun's number. If yours has the 6.5 inch barrel, I would consider it a Pre-26 with a lanyard loop, which S&W was always willing to add if somebody would send them a few dollars more for a specially configured revolver. If it has a 5.5 inch barrel, I would consider if a .45 Army with adjustable sights. It would probably take a letter to get a reading on what it was called when it was shipped. But I'm not sure that what it says on the invoice would be a term on which there would have been agreement in the building where it was made. Odd ducks probably got described in different ways depending on who was filling out the shipping paperwork on the day it left Springfield. Collectors love categories, and they also love disagreements when a gun shows up that sort of lives in the DMZ between two clearly different models.

Can you show some pics? I read your description here and on the other thread, and I am not sure I am correctly visualizing what you have.

 

[Hondo44]

After getting some help from the forum members on trying to identify whether my .45 acp/auto rim Model 1950 Target with factory swivel (S85XXX) was an early 'military' 1950 Target or a factory ordered Pre-model 26, I read your 2013 article...learned a lot. Was wondering if you might be able to add some info on the question.
Thanks

You can determine if your swivel is original to the frame or added by Smith in response to a special order BEFORE shipping the revolver new.

Factory swivels original to the frame and factory swivel installations are always 1/10" forward of center. The serial number on the butt will be stamped off center if original to the frame. Also a swivel may be drilled thru the factory serial # for installation of a lanyard ring either before initial shipping or if sent back to the factory for a swivel. But in those two cases the s/n is re-stamped on the left side of grip frame, under the left stock.

If a small order came in for a gun or a few guns with swivels, and those guns were already built w/o swivels, they did NOT build guns to fill the order. They drilled existing guns in inventory in this manner.

Also-
A factory swivel will NOT always letter. IF S&W threw it in on the deal for free, it is NOT on the invoice, so there is currently no way to document it unless SWHF research turns up correspondence about the order.

 

[mbliss57]

David,
Thanks for the lesson. it was very informative and new to me. This is what I love about this forum.

 

[Walter Rego]

I have a fairly early, 4 digit LERK K-22 Masterpiece shipped in August 1947 with a lanyard ring that didn't letter as such. The ring seems to be mounted the same as the Victory Models were (although I have never measured the exact placement of the hole in the bottom of the frame and the cross pin hole) and since it was only a 4 digit serial number the hole for the loop didn't interfere with any of the numbers so they were not re-stamped.

 

[Hondo44]

Walter,

Notice my example above is only a 4 digit number also but was drilled thru. If it's the proper 1/10" forward of center, that tells me your frame was made and drilled for the swivel initially, the serial number having been stamped off center to miss the swivel hole. That's why it didn't letter: it was not special ordered or added as an extra, therefore not listed on the invoice.

So by virtue of it not being drilled thru the number, and not "lettering", you know it can only be a factory original!

 

[drjjpdc]

1950 Target 45 with a 5-inch barrel and target stocks. One of eight shipped to H. H. Harris in Chicago in 1960 and one of nine known.

Bill

Bill,

All I can say that is a beautiful gun.

John

 

[S&WIowegan]

A few years back I was looking for a model of 1955 and had to settle for this model of 1950 ,45 cal. It has turned into my favorite S&W. I need to get serious and get it lettered. It appears to me that it is bright blue and I don't believe it has been redone.

I have got some flack about my flowery picture, but I think beauty compliments beauty.

Just FYI: I have several of these pre-26s and one is clearly bright blue. I've been told that was a special order option.

 

[drjjpdc]

I am less concerned about the flowers and more concerned about the "Bordello Red" velvet sheets.

Well it is Christmas time and red is a Christmas color. Here is my Model 25 in a .45 LC with an 8 3/8" barrel. Boy is this sucker fun to shoot (like any S&W isn't).

 

[Fishslayer]

What a great writeup! How have I missed it all these years? Thanks for sharing and thanks to all the members who make me jealous of your beautiful pre-26s.

My pre-26 was my second S&W Revolver. I love the thing. It comes out of the safe from time to time. Not collector grade but I like it.

 

[StrawHat]

...What a great writeup! How have I missed it all these years?...

Don't feel too bad, I missed it too. Thank you for reviving this thread.

Kevin

 

[BUFF]

My 1950 .45 Target has the soft blue and shipped with diamond Magna stocks in the maroon box. S100373, shipped in September 1954.

My 1950 .45 Military has the bright blue finish, S94954. Shipped April, 1952.

I always felt very fortunate to have managed to obtain and hand on to both of them.