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Post by brionic on Apr 3, 2014 22:55:39 GMT -5
Received M26-1 today... it's the S&W .45 Colt N-frame, "Georgia State Patrol 1937-1987" commemorative. 5" tapered barrel, smooth narrow trigger, service hammer, and a lanyard swivel. Complete with less-than-offensive minimalist gold stamping on the barrel and side plate and plain, smooth magnas. About 800 made. Claimed NIB, with box, case, and all the goodies. I got a good deal.
All in all, a really nice revolver in a unique and, to me, desirable configuration. The S&W kooks lust after the non-commemorative overrun version - of which only 35 or so were made.
My plan is to shoot it, wear off the gold lettering by drawing and holstering, and hear about what a dummy I am for destroying the value etc etc.
More details when I've gone through it and have put lead to paper.
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Post by mike454 on Apr 3, 2014 23:28:32 GMT -5
I have a pair of them. For better or worse, Hoppes removed the gold lettering very fast. After it first started to wear off, a little hoppes and a brass brush removed the rest. great guns. Both mine were pretty minty/new but had slow carry up timing. I replaced the hand on both with a new standard width hand which corrected the timing. There was no wear visible on the old hands but the new hands were a few thou thicker. Both of mine also have .452 throats.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Apr 4, 2014 12:36:42 GMT -5
Brionic, you sir have found one of THE GRAIL GUNS of Smith & Wesson Nirvana. Oh that S&W would build a "replica of the 26-1" so guys like me could follow your wonderful example of "excercising" that collectable.
Shoot the snot out of that puppy!
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Post by nolongcolt on Apr 4, 2014 13:32:57 GMT -5
I have seen ONE of these in my life, and didnt buy it! Been kicking myself ever since. Nice score!!
Still looking if anybody knows about one.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Apr 9, 2014 0:44:10 GMT -5
Send us some Pics! Pleeeeeeeeeese.
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Post by brionic on Apr 12, 2014 20:46:28 GMT -5
Picked it up from my dealer today, after a seller's dealer's SNAFU. No problem... it is now truly in hand, and yes, I hugged it.   I hope to shoot it this week. |
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Post by vonfatman on Apr 12, 2014 21:58:40 GMT -5
That is a beauty. I have never seen one before. Thanks for sharing. And yes, shoot that baby!
Bob
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Post by Frank V on Apr 15, 2014 20:09:33 GMT -5
I'm with you Brionic It needs to be carried & shot.  Thanks for sharing. |
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Post by bulasteve on Apr 16, 2014 11:21:36 GMT -5
Yup, enjoy the heck outta it ! It wasn't built to sit in someones safe so they can say I have one !
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Post by skipper49 on Apr 17, 2014 18:24:38 GMT -5
Sweet Smith for sure! I sold one, w/presentation case for a friend a couple of years ago. Since then, a couple more have shown up for sale on a local forum. I have a friend that has one, I think unfired, that I could get if I had the coin. It was hard to turn the one loose that I sold, as, like you, I just thought the 5", .45 Colt N frame was a great combo. Congrats on yours,
Skip
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Post by brionic on Apr 18, 2014 13:55:31 GMT -5
No.2 son's birthday is tomorrow, and he asked to go to the range first thing in the morning... We'll bring an assortment of .22 revolvers and long arms, a couple of lever actions, an FR8, and of course, the new 26. Shooting impressions to follow.
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tgc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 142 
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Post by tgc on Apr 18, 2014 18:26:26 GMT -5
brionic,
Very nice, and cool caliber too.
What is the jist of the letter to the "Trooper" in your picture? (I put it under my magnifier and got to read it pretty good so I now know the jist)
Do you know any of the history of the gun? Why was it awarded, maybe for so many years of service from the trooper? Maybe came from an estate sale.
Just curious. Nice find.
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Post by brionic on Apr 18, 2014 18:47:00 GMT -5
It talks about the history of the Model of 1950, the scarcity of .45 Colt revolvers in that rare model, lack of interest in that model after the transition to the heavy barreled Model of 1955, and the likely future interest in these particular commemoratives based on the peculiar specs. Mr. Jinks was certainly correct about that. I see these combos (NOT OFTEN) on sale for $2,000 and up. Like I said, I scored on this deal These commemoratives were offered in 1987 to current and former Georgia State Troopers for purchase. Additional paperwork included, from State Patrol brass and from the distributor, suggest some difficulty in timely delivery of these revolvers, and suggest that the first batch were made incorrectly. I wonder if that was where the 35-40 "overrun" guns came from. Anyway, it's a neat gun and I am excited about shooting it tomorrow AM. Thx for the interest tgc! |
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,836
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Post by cubrock on Apr 19, 2014 8:56:16 GMT -5
Very nice! That is how a Model 25 should look - tapered barrel and all.
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Post by brionic on Apr 19, 2014 13:05:26 GMT -5
Fired it this morning. Verrrry nice with 260 SWC over 8.something Universal.
I need to regulate the sights a bit, but this morning was all about fun shooting with the boys so I reserved that chore for next week.
More to follow.
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