Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target

I

ironturtle

Inactive
Ok very new to guns and collecting here. But Ithink I found something good. Its an all original in mint condition S&W model 1950 .45 Target with 4in Barrel. I got a great deal on it in a trade. From what I can see on here its pretty rare. Whats the value of this gun? How can I tell what year it is from? Lastly how do I tell if its colt.45 or .45 acp? Thanks for yalls help.:D 28yr old Army Veteran here
 

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Serial # is likely a good start for dating, you might try the sticky at the top on SW serial #s

Just a guess here, but .45 acp would likely have space on the back of the cylinder for a moon clip, I would expect.

Cylinder looks a bit short for 45 colt, but I could be wrong. It should also have the caliber stamped on the barrel, I would think.

Very small # were made in 45 colt, AFAIK

Little google-fu with the search phrase "1950 s&w .45 target" yields some interesting results
 
Thanks for the response. I have been reading like crazy. Seems i found something beyond good. Sorry for my ignorance but what do the half moon marks look like?

As for the number its n2845**. Thanks again for any help
 
The serial number indicates the gun was produced in the 1974-77 period and there were very few .45 Colt Model 25s until after 1977, so it's almost certainly chambered in .45 ACP. Because it's post-1957, it will have the model number stamped in the frame cutout - it's a Model 25 for sure, and probably a 25-2.

The caliber will be stamped on the barrel, but on my 25-2 in .45 ACP it just indicates ".45 Cal", which obviously doesn't answer your question. My 25-5, in .45 Colt, is stamped .45 Colt on the barrel. Putting all of that together, and based on the production date and the short cylinder in the photos I'm pretty sure it will be in .45 ACP

You have a real keeper there - my 25-2, which has the 6-1/2" barrel and Patridge sights, is the most accurate revolver I own and would very likely be the last of my few dozen S&Ws that I would part with. I'm not a big fan of moon clips, so I load .45 AR cartridges for it.

Edit: Forgot to add - Thanks for your service!
 
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So after some more research i have found it is still a rare gun. Here is a pic of the smith and wesson letter from Mr. Jinks. Seems there were 100 or so of these 25-2s that were mis stamped with Model 1950 .45. Whats the value of this guy? Any ideas? Please help me out.
 
That is a really nice S&W. I have a 5 in. but have always thought a 4 in. would be even better. Pulling out one of those makes you look as cool as Lee Marvin did in those old movies.
 
Oh, I missed the "1950" part when I posted earlier. SCSW mentions that about 1000 to 1500 of these guns were incorrectly roll-marked, but doesn't indicate that they bring a price premium. In the same listing, they say that the 4-screw models, special-order barrel lengths, and early production guns chambered in .45 Colt all do have premium prices, so I don't think it's simply an oversight. Given that's the case, I would guess $1000 for the gun is a bit on the high side, but considering the condition, maybe not. Do you have the box and papers? - that would probably add $100 to $200 to the value.
 
Did you pay too much? Based on N frzme prices in general these days i would say no you did not. You didnt get a screaming deal but you didnt get taken either.
 
SCSW mentions that about 1000 to 1500 of these guns were incorrectly roll-marked
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I've got one of those. So do a whole lot of other people. They're cool, but not rare. And the mismarked barrels were 6 1/2 inches long, the standard length for the 25-2.

To the OP. Can you get better pictures? The 1950 model was a tapered barrel. If yours is a mismarked 25-2, then somebody shortened the barrel and that can be determined by looking at the location of the lettering relative to the muzzle. If that's the case, $1,000 is way too much.

Again, better pictures, especially from the top and sides of the barrel would be good.
 
I just read the letter. You have a mismarked Model 25-2 which came from the factory with a 6 1/2 inch barrel that somebody cut down to 4 inches. It has no collector's value and would probably fetch $400 to $500 on the open market.
 
I just read the letter. You have a mismarked Model 25-2 which came from the factory with a 6 1/2 inch barrel that somebody cut down to 4 inches. It has no collector's value and would probably fetch $400 to $500 on the open market.
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Bingo. I also question whether or not the gun would have came with N frame magnas. I would think S&W target grips instead. Anyone else?

Obviously by this point it doesn't matter. IMO it was too much even if the gun was the factory barrel length. They're not that rare really. To get $1000 plus the gun needs to be earlier which would make it more scarce and more in demand. Its a 3 screw N frame, and not a rare model.
 
If from the 1970s it will have a model number on the frame under the yoke.

We need bigger pictures, one possibility that occurs to me would be discouraging and I don't want to do that without a better look at the gun, letter notwithstanding.
 
ironturtle, your revolver was lettered in early 1977, as Mr. Jinks stated a small number of these were mismarked at the factory. Far be it from me to argue with Mr. Jinks but mismarked Smith and Wesson revolvers have no additional collectors value in today's market. A 4" 1950 target gun does have a certain interest value, so you did not pay to much you just bought early.

Shoot and enjoy your new revolver, as it's a shooter not a collector grade revolver.
 
Ironturtle,

First, welcome to the forum. Second, relax.
can someone at least tell me this.
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You asked a question at 1:41 p.m., posted pics of the gun at 1:45 p.m., and then complained at 2:10 p.m. about not getting an answer on the value of a gun with an unusual error stamped on it. Remember that people have other things to do.
 
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