Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to the gunshop I go...

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uglygun

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Sometimes, you just gotta get your name and number out there to gunshops....


[phone] ring ring[/phone]
answering machine picks up....

Hi, this is Terry at xxxx Gun Shop, we've got an N-frame here...


[uglygun]HI! I'm here, don't hang up! I'll be right down[/uglygun]



TO THE BAT CAVE!
 
okay, 550 dollars and a 10day waiting period later and I'll take possession of a Target Model of 1950 45ACP 25-2...

Need a born on date if anyone can help, serial range is N338xxx


Gun is in really decent condition with tight lock up and minimal surface wear. Came with original box, sadly it's the plastic lined variety and the lining is showing good signs of wear.


Now to order off some moon clips! Only 3 more guns to go in my N-frame collection, a Model 57, a pre-model 27, and hopefully a Target Model 24. Maybe a nice 6in 29-2 as well if I can find one.
 
I kid you not.... I had to keep telling myself, "it will still be there when you get there, observe the speed limit".


I felt like I should have a fire pole to slide down as I charged off for the garage with keys in hand, out through the garage with afterburners blazing.
 
I know where there is a pre model 27 5 screw 3 1/2" for sale.

But I will only tell you if you are from Mass.

Bob
 
Is it a 1950 Target or a 1955 Target ?

The 1950 Target had a tapered barrel like the .44 Special and .357 Magnum N-frames. There weren't very many made. It became the Model 26 and was discontinued in 1960.

The 1955 Target became the Model 25. It has the heavy barrel like the .41 Magnum & .44 Magnum.



ps I have a local dealer who has a NICE 5" barreled pre-27 (1954) S&W in the case if anyone is interested.
 
Last edited:
FPrice,

Dave has it at AAA.

I would have to say the finish is about 80 to 90%. I am no expert. The gun seems sound enough, just a good amount of blueing wear.

He isn't giving it away either, but. This is the first one I have ever seen around.

Bob
 
"AAA"

I haven't been there in a while, maybe I'll check it out tomorrow. It depends upon how much he wants. Unfortunately I got my pre M27, 3 1/2", parkerized, for a REALLY good deal about 4-5 years ago. Before prices took off here.
 
out through the garage with afterburners blazing.

Uhhhmmmm Did you remember to OPEN the garage door first? ? ?

Never mind why I ask this question, other than to say getting a car painted & un-dented ain't cheap.:uhoh:
 
Is it a 1950 Target or a 1955 Target ?
Click to expand...


It's got the heavy non tapered barrel so it's the 1955 style, but on the side it says "Model of 1950". Mismarked perhaps, could swear I've seen people talk about mismarked M25s out there but the words are only barely hanging on in my memory like a faint echo.


Basically it's an exact duplicate of my Model 25-3 125th Year Anniversary 45LC only this 25-2 is chambered for 45ACP. But on the barrel of the 25-2 it does indeed say "Model of 1950".


Mis-spoke on the "Target Model of 1950", after posting that I went to go look around for some of the M25 versus M26 issues. I'd love to get an M26 as well but that is a fairly rare bird by the looks of it.
 
It is said that S&W made about 100 1955 models that were mis-marked as 1950's. I'll look the details later, but I think you've hit the jackpot.
 
I had a kind of suspicion about it. Something didn't add up quite right about it.


Oh, and the guys at the shop who I'm pretty chummy with were commenting about how another shop regular was hemming/hawing over whether he really wanted it. :D I snuck in and snaked it thankfully.


This may VERY well make up for the time that I missed the S&W M53 with 4 inch barrel, original box, original chamber inserts, and in generally GREAT condition for all of 500 dollars :( I'm still burned over that one, I thought it was a neat little gun but didn't know if I wanted to muck with all the fuss of going wildcatting for it. THEN when I'm heading back down there like a week or two later to finally buy it the stupid thing was gone.
 
I really should have gone out and bought some lottery tickets yesterday.

I had some other things happen yesterday that were outside of the realm of normal luck for me. Should have cashed in on that lucky streak while it was running in my favor.
 
I often wondered why you never see many M26s. I like the tapered barrel and would love to have one in 5". Unfortunately there isn't a bank next door to me if I do find one.
 
The reason you don't see many model 26's (or 26-1 or 26-2) is because they weren't very popular. Bullseye shooters didn't like the lighter barrels and preferred the heavier model 25 (1955 Target) to the 26 (1950 Target). Since extra barrels were still on hand both models were produced after 1955 until the '50 barrels ran out around 1961. It was during this time that 100 (or so) 1955 barrels were mis-stamped with 1950 Target markings.

“Uglygun†should get a letter off to Roy Jinks, Smith & Wesson's company historian. Include a full description including the serial number (remove the grips and look on the butt) and a snapshot or picture of the gun. Enclose a check for $30.00 to cover a record's check. Mr. Jinks' reply will hopefully confirm that you have what we think you've got. After that you can enjoy your considerable good fortune.

For more information go to: www.smith-wesson.com
 
Funny how 50 years ago those thinner barrels weren't desired but yet today you've got various "mountain gun" type N-frames.


I'd love to get a 44 and 45 Target Model of 1950 simply because they would be such a close match to my 38/44 Outdoorsman in terms of overall appearance and handling.
 
rbert0005...

"I know where there is a pre model 27 5 screw 3 1/2" for sale."

Well, I went to see it and have to report that I left it in the shop. It's not too bad, no original grips and a Tyler T-grip, wear is about what you said. But is is way over-priced for the condition. At least I think it is over-priced.

However they did have some other interesting stuff. One S&W Victory model from roughly WWII. The tag said ".38/200" but the barrel said ".38 S&W". I'll have to do some reading up in Supica and Nahas when I get home. That may be a possibility.

A few S&W M28's; I need one to complete my collection. But I am hoping to find one with real S&W Magna target grips.

Even though I didn't get the pre 27 I am grateful for the tip.
 
So something's kinda strange about my gun by what I'm reading here....


If the barrels for the lighter 1950 type profile were in significant enough stock to be made up until around 1961 or there abouts... how does it explain my revolver which has a serial number that suggests a production date of around mid-70s?
 
I don't believe that S&W made any more of the "slim" 1950 barrels after 1955, but they had a stock of previously manufactured barrels that they slowly used up. The model 1950 was discontinued in 1961 ot thereabouts, but some barrels may have still remained. As I pointed out, a letter and $30.00 check to Roy Jinks at S&W will clear up what you have. It could have been faked, but I doubt it. It was not uncommon for S&W to make certain models after they had, "for the record" been discontinued, so long as parts were available.
 
Yeah, I totally understand how my barrel may have been old stock on hand and therefore still possible to make it's way onto a gun during the 1970s.

That's an awful long time though for the inventory to be on hand. But heck if I know the firearms business and how their inventory may rotate to keep up with orders.


I'll probably do the verification with Roy Jinks, is it 30 dollars per gun or can multiple guns be done for one 30 dollar fee? I'd like to check up on my 38/44 Outdoorsman and 27-2 as well if they can be done along with the 25-2.
 
Uglygun:

It's $30.00 per gun, and money well spent if the answer comes back right. Other companies charge as much as $100.00 or more for this service, and I believe that S&W contribute some of the money to the U.S. International Shooting Team Fund. On rare guns with elevated prices buyers often insist on a company letter as insurance that the gun wasn't built in someone's basement rather then the factory. I'd get a letter now, rather then wait for the cost to go up. Keep in mind that these letters will enhance the value of your collection more then they will cost - expecially down the line.

Smith and Wesson would make up frames and other parts, and then draw on the inventory as production went forward. If the particular model was a slow mover the parts might last for a long time

I have a .38 Safety Hammerless that has features that were discontinued in the late 1890's - but the gun was made in 1940!

Smith & Wesson's last big contracts for 1917 revolvers came from Brazil during the late 1930's. The extra parts remained in stock, and after World War Two production resumed and continued until 1949. During this post-war period some 10,800 revolvers were made using 1930's parts.
 
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