wtf
.30 Stingray
Posts: 179 
|
Post by wtf on Oct 7, 2022 14:14:39 GMT -5
For your viewing pleasure: These two hail from the mid- and early- 1900s. The upper, as many will recognize, is a Model of 1950, shipped July 6, 1955. It letters as having shipped with target stocks. I’m fairly certain it wasn’t with these, since they have the “football” relief cut on the left stock panel. The Model of 1917 shipped in June, 1918 with a 5 1/2” bbl. (I’m still waiting on the letter for it.) Both are featured with 6 1/2” barrels, King target sights on the M-1917. -Bill  |
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Oct 7, 2022 14:15:54 GMT -5
Beautiful Guns!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by 45MAN on Oct 7, 2022 17:04:33 GMT -5
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT VINTAGE N FRAMES THAT STIR THE SOUL. YOU HAVE 2 FINE REVOLVERS THERE.
|
|
|
|
Post by starmetal47 on Oct 7, 2022 18:04:13 GMT -5
Nice revolvers. On that bottom one with the front so high wonder what distance that is set for?
|
|
|
|
Post by jfs on Oct 7, 2022 20:41:01 GMT -5
 ........................
|
|
wtf
.30 Stingray
Posts: 179
|
Post by wtf on Oct 7, 2022 20:48:53 GMT -5
Thanks!… And, thank you all! …On that bottom one with the front so high wonder what distance that is set for? It is a tall front sight. I should add, though, that I lowered the rear sight to remove it for cleaning and haven’t raised it, as I have yet to get it to the range to set it. As odd as the configuration appears, it’s not as extreme as you might think. King Gun Sights, formerly of San Francisco, CA sold many such “tall” sights in the 1930s, 1940s, and IIRC, into the middle 1950s before going out of business. Of course, Smith & Wesson also developed its own target sights and eventually expanded its line-up of N-frame target revolvers. -Bill  |
|
|
|
Post by starmetal47 on Oct 7, 2022 22:25:50 GMT -5
That last picture clears it up, thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by strawhat on Oct 8, 2022 19:32:18 GMT -5
S&W has been making 45 caliber double action revolvers since at least 1907 when they submitted several New Century revolvers in 45 S&W Special to the U S Army for the field trials to replace the current sidearm. They have only recently removed the 45 ACP from their lineup but continue to list the 45 Long Colt. Here is a New Century chambered for the 455 cartridge.  This is the first 45 ACP revolver offered by S&W, a Model 1917,  (continued in next post) Kevin |
|
|
|
Post by strawhat on Oct 8, 2022 19:49:04 GMT -5
After the 1917 Military Model, S&W produced the Model 1917 Civilian until 1950. Identical to the Military version but with Govt property stamps. In 1950, S&W copied what private gunsmiths were doing and introduced the first Target Sighted model, 45 ACP revolver with adjustable sights AND a short action.  That same year, an updated Army Model 1950 was introduced.  The image shown has a modified front sight. Kevin |
|
|
|
Post by strawhat on Oct 8, 2022 19:55:04 GMT -5
In 1955 responding to complaints by various competitors, a heavy barreled variant of the Model 1950 45 ACP Target revolver was introduced, the Model 1955, 45 ACP Target revolver. This was the same as the Model 1950 Target revolver EXCEPT it had a heavier “bull” barrel.  Here is Jim Clark’s version of how the Model 1955 came to be,  Two years later it was renamed the Model 25-2 when S&W decided to computerize record keeping and assigned model number instead of names. Kevin |
|
wtf
.30 Stingray
Posts: 179
|
Post by wtf on Oct 8, 2022 21:18:22 GMT -5
…Definitely, a couple of my favorites! Model of 1950 & 25-2 (Model of 1955) -Bill |
|
|
|
Post by strawhat on Oct 9, 2022 4:36:14 GMT -5
…Definitely, a couple of my favorites! Model of 1950 & 25-2 (Model of 1955)-Bill Bill, The 45 ACP revolver is my favorite. I have a few. Still looking for a Model 1955, from 1955, a birth year revolver. Kevin |
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Oct 9, 2022 5:35:45 GMT -5
My favorite N-Frame is my Turnbull Heritage 44 Special. But, agree the 45s are great.
They started my shooting the 45 Auto Rim in multiple guns.
Some real beauties in this thread...
|
|
|
|
Post by boolitdesigner on Oct 9, 2022 14:08:54 GMT -5
After the 1917 Military Model, S&W produced the Model 1917 Civilian until 1950. Identical to the Military version but with Govt property stamps. Kevin You would see a few that weren't stamped (no stamps and designated commercial guns) from the war years. I've seen two so far. Very very hard to find. |
|
|
|
Post by strawhat on Oct 9, 2022 15:06:13 GMT -5
After the 1917 Military Model, S&W produced the Model 1917 Civilian until 1950. Identical to the Military version but with Govt property stamps. Kevin You would see a few that weren't stamped (no stamps and designated commercial guns) from the war years. I've seen two so far. Very very hard to find. I mistyped that. It should read, “identical to the Military version but without the Govt property stamps. The commercial model did not necessarily have the stamps unless they were built from N frames S&W was forced to buy back from the Army after the war. My apologies for not proof reading the post. Kevin |
|
........................
