S&W Pre-Model 26

lamarw · February 21, 2018, 01:35 PM

I acquired subject revolver and will pick it up tomorrow.

The correct title I believe is 1950 .45 Target Model (Light Barrel) "Pre-Model 26". There was reportedly only 2,768 of these manufactured between 1950 to 1961. The serial number on this on indicates it was made prior to 1953. My new revolver is a .45 ACP; although 200 were manufactured in .45 Colt.

It is in excellent condition and here are a couple of poor quality pictures.

**Mike Irwin** · February 21, 2018, 01:45 PM

If that is, in fact, what it appears to be, based on your research, it's worth a very pretty penny in that condition.

Jim Watson · February 21, 2018, 01:47 PM

That's a beauty. A friend found some NOS barrels and fabricated a couple of clones by rebarreling and rechambering .357s. I guess a 1955 M25 is better for target shooting, but the 1950 is a more graceful revolver, to the eye and in the hand.

lamarw · February 21, 2018, 02:13 PM

One mistake on my part - The production period would of been 1956 to 1957 since the serial number is S166850.

tallball · February 22, 2018, 09:07 PM

Wow! You are going to love shooting that thing.

Master Blaster · February 23, 2018, 01:02 PM

I have a 25-2 in .45 ACP that looks just like that gun, It says .45 model of 1955 target on the barrel if I remember correctly, I also have a modern model 22-4 which is a .45 model of 1950. I have to admit I have never seen or heard of a Model 26, so what is the difference between a Model 26 and a model 25??

lamarw · February 23, 2018, 01:21 PM

Master Blaster, I can not answer you question, but I will attempt to research it. Hopefully, someone who knows will save me the research time.

I do know the "As New In Box" book value guide on the Model 25 is $1,200.00. The same book says the Model 26 no dash is too rare to estimate value if I am reading it correctly. There has been one reported sale of $10,000.00. Once again someone will be along to confirm or correct me. Your 25-2 in .45 ACP may have a premium based upon rariety. I do not know.

Master Blaster · February 23, 2018, 02:44 PM

Model 25-2 is not a rare gun but they are in demand. I like mine and would not sell it. The going rate for a nice one is about $1200 around here used in 90% condition.

RickB · February 23, 2018, 02:49 PM

Quote:

I have a 25-2 in .45 ACP that looks just like that gun, It says .45 model of 1955 target on the barrel if I remember correctly, I also have a modern model 22-4 which is a .45 model of 1950. I have to admit I have never seen or heard of a Model 26, so what is the difference between a Model 26 and a model 25??

The 25-2 has a heavy, bull barrel, and is marked Model of 1955.
The skinny-barreled gun is the Model of 1950, and apparently was also Model 26.

lamarw · February 24, 2018, 03:43 PM

That sounds about right Master Blaster. I paid just over $1500 for this one and the "Standard Catalog for Smith & Wesson" 4th Ed. value guide is $3200.

I can appreciate your fondness for the Model 25. I have a Model 25 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. It is a well balanced handgun.

Driftwood Johnson · February 24, 2018, 05:49 PM

Howdy

Here is the 'heavy barrel' version, a Model 1955 Target Model. Chambered for 45ACP it is also known as the Pre-Model 25. You can see the barrel does not taper at all, it is the same diameter its entire length. This one left the factory in 1955.

This model usually left the factory with oversized target grips like this, but they were usually checkered. I believe these are replacement grips as they are not numbered to the gun, are not checkered, and appear to me to be made of rosewood instead of walnut. Another collector offered to trade these grips for checkered ones and I said no thanks.

Master Blaster · February 24, 2018, 06:28 PM

If you only paid $1500 for a 26 then you really did get quite a deal as they are rare and worth several times that much.

lamarw · February 24, 2018, 08:20 PM

Driftwood, You have a beautiful revolver. There is no way I would trade those stocks unless they were for the correct numbered grips. Those stocks are just drop dead georgous on your revolver.

I was fortunate my stocks serial number matches.

RickB · February 25, 2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

and appear to me to be made of rosewood instead of walnut

I had a late-'50s model 29 with checkered rosewood; was walnut ever standard?
I remember Goncalo Alves as being standard on S&W revolvers for most of my lifetime.

lamarw · March 15, 2018, 06:03 AM

Master Blaster, There are at least 2 coming up in the Apr. 13, 2018 Rock Isaland Auction. It will be interesting to see what they sell for at auction. RIA sold one last year for close to 3 grand. The actual model 26 is too rare to appraise and the only one sold was reported to of sold for over Ten Thousand Dollars. I think there were less than one hundred produced by S&W.

SaxonPig · March 15, 2018, 07:33 AM

No idea on total production but it is essentially a tapered barrel 1955 or Model 25. Story goes this was introduced and target shooters requested a heavy barrel version. The first model was dropped not long afterward.

That's a very highly sought after collector piece.

I prefer the look of the taper barrel. I hate 45 ACP revolvers because I can't make the damn moon clips work. I had a beautiful 25-2 that shot better than any other S&W I own but I sold it after struggling with those stupid clips.

**Mike Irwin** · March 15, 2018, 10:13 AM

I have a Brazilian Model of 1917, first series.

I use Beckham Products RIMZ polymer moon clips and have absolutely no problems with them at all.

USSR · March 15, 2018, 10:59 AM

Quote:

I hate 45 ACP revolvers because I can't make the damn moon clips work. I had a beautiful 25-2 that shot better than any other S&W I own but I sold it after struggling with those stupid clips.

All you had to do was buy some .45 Auto Rim brass if you didn't want to deal with the clips.

Don

Bob Wright · March 15, 2018, 02:38 PM

While on the subject of theses .45 ACP target guns maybe somebody can show something I've heard about but never seen. One of those guns had a U-shaped mainspring, not too sure which. If anyone cared to remove a grip panel and show us and define which model it is?

Bob Wright

lamarw · March 15, 2018, 02:53 PM

Bob Wright, I believe the S&W Revover you are referring to is the 1955 .45 Target Model (Heavy Barrel) "Pre-Model 25".

Hopefully this link will work for us: SmPebSgVevyGM%253A%252CXxgyXv0_Zl33JM%252C_&usg=__UFbvfPxfPg7ytzBueOnfvZfVzuA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv0ZG3i-_ZAhXIy1MKHWIcBJQQ9QEINjAB&biw=1344&bih=747#imgrc=nSmPebSgVevyGM:

The above link does not seem to work. You will find pictures if you do a Google search of the following; Smith Wesson Pre-Mod 25 RARE 'U' Mainspring 45 TGT

**Mike Irwin** · March 15, 2018, 06:57 PM

Some years ago someone here posted a picture of their Model 25 or pre 25 with that type of mainspring.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

lamarw · March 15, 2018, 07:44 PM

I believe you are correct Mike. I think I pulled that post up, but the picture was no longer available. There is also a GunBroker listing with a picture of the U main spring. I did not want to link it since it is an active listing. The U spring was not in all Pre-Model 25's according to the pubication "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson". There was also a W shaped main spring.

I did not find anything discussing the advantage or disadvantage to the unique springs. I assume there are fewer revolvers with these type springs.

**Mike Irwin** · March 16, 2018, 07:06 AM

I THINK those main springs were originally developed for bullseye guns. I seem to recall that they were supposed to provide smoother action cycling than the traditional spring.

stinkeypete · March 16, 2018, 08:06 AM

I like you guys. To me, this is what a handgun should look like.

February 21, 2018, 01:45 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	If that is, in fact, what it appears to be, based on your research, it's worth a very pretty penny in that condition. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 24, 2018, 06:28 PM	#12
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	If you only paid $1500 for a 26 then you really did get quite a deal as they are rare and worth several times that much. Last edited by Master Blaster; February 24, 2018 at 06:33 PM.

March 15, 2018, 10:13 AM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I have a Brazilian Model of 1917, first series. I use Beckham Products RIMZ polymer moon clips and have absolutely no problems with them at all. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 15, 2018, 02:38 PM	#19
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	While on the subject of theses .45 ACP target guns maybe somebody can show something I've heard about but never seen. One of those guns had a U-shaped mainspring, not too sure which. If anyone cared to remove a grip panel and show us and define which model it is? Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

March 15, 2018, 02:53 PM	#20
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Bob Wright, I believe the S&W Revover you are referring to is the 1955 .45 Target Model (Heavy Barrel) "Pre-Model 25". Hopefully this link will work for us: SmPebSgVevyGM%253A%252CXxgyXv0_Zl33JM%252C_&usg=__UFbvfPxfPg7ytzBueOnfvZfVzuA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv0ZG3i-_ZAhXIy1MKHWIcBJQQ9QEINjAB&biw=1344&bih=747#imgrc=nSmPebSgVevyGM: The above link does not seem to work. You will find pictures if you do a Google search of the following; Smith Wesson Pre-Mod 25 RARE 'U' Mainspring 45 TGT Last edited by lamarw; March 15, 2018 at 03:13 PM.

February 21, 2018, 01:47 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	That's a beauty. A friend found some NOS barrels and fabricated a couple of clones by rebarreling and rechambering .357s. I guess a 1955 M25 is better for target shooting, but the 1950 is a more graceful revolver, to the eye and in the hand.

February 21, 2018, 02:13 PM	#4
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	One mistake on my part - The production period would of been 1956 to 1957 since the serial number is S166850.

February 22, 2018, 09:07 PM	#5
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Wow! You are going to love shooting that thing.

February 23, 2018, 01:02 PM	#6
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	I have a 25-2 in .45 ACP that looks just like that gun, It says .45 model of 1955 target on the barrel if I remember correctly, I also have a modern model 22-4 which is a .45 model of 1950. I have to admit I have never seen or heard of a Model 26, so what is the difference between a Model 26 and a model 25??

February 23, 2018, 01:21 PM	#7
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Master Blaster, I can not answer you question, but I will attempt to research it. Hopefully, someone who knows will save me the research time. I do know the "As New In Box" book value guide on the Model 25 is $1,200.00. The same book says the Model 26 no dash is too rare to estimate value if I am reading it correctly. There has been one reported sale of $10,000.00. Once again someone will be along to confirm or correct me. Your 25-2 in .45 ACP may have a premium based upon rariety. I do not know.

February 23, 2018, 02:44 PM	#8
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	Model 25-2 is not a rare gun but they are in demand. I like mine and would not sell it. The going rate for a nice one is about $1200 around here used in 90% condition.

February 24, 2018, 03:43 PM	#10
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	That sounds about right Master Blaster. I paid just over $1500 for this one and the "Standard Catalog for Smith & Wesson" 4th Ed. value guide is $3200. I can appreciate your fondness for the Model 25. I have a Model 25 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. It is a well balanced handgun.

February 24, 2018, 05:49 PM	#11
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Here is the 'heavy barrel' version, a Model 1955 Target Model. Chambered for 45ACP it is also known as the Pre-Model 25. You can see the barrel does not taper at all, it is the same diameter its entire length. This one left the factory in 1955. This model usually left the factory with oversized target grips like this, but they were usually checkered. I believe these are replacement grips as they are not numbered to the gun, are not checkered, and appear to me to be made of rosewood instead of walnut. Another collector offered to trade these grips for checkered ones and I said no thanks.

February 24, 2018, 08:20 PM	#13
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Driftwood, You have a beautiful revolver. There is no way I would trade those stocks unless they were for the correct numbered grips. Those stocks are just drop dead georgous on your revolver. I was fortunate my stocks serial number matches.

March 15, 2018, 06:03 AM	#15
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Master Blaster, There are at least 2 coming up in the Apr. 13, 2018 Rock Isaland Auction. It will be interesting to see what they sell for at auction. RIA sold one last year for close to 3 grand. The actual model 26 is too rare to appraise and the only one sold was reported to of sold for over Ten Thousand Dollars. I think there were less than one hundred produced by S&W.

March 15, 2018, 07:33 AM	#16
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	No idea on total production but it is essentially a tapered barrel 1955 or Model 25. Story goes this was introduced and target shooters requested a heavy barrel version. The first model was dropped not long afterward. That's a very highly sought after collector piece. I prefer the look of the taper barrel. I hate 45 ACP revolvers because I can't make the damn moon clips work. I had a beautiful 25-2 that shot better than any other S&W I own but I sold it after struggling with those stupid clips.

March 15, 2018, 06:57 PM	#21
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Some years ago someone here posted a picture of their Model 25 or pre 25 with that type of mainspring. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

March 15, 2018, 07:44 PM	#22
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I believe you are correct Mike. I think I pulled that post up, but the picture was no longer available. There is also a GunBroker listing with a picture of the U main spring. I did not want to link it since it is an active listing. The U spring was not in all Pre-Model 25's according to the pubication "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson". There was also a W shaped main spring. I did not find anything discussing the advantage or disadvantage to the unique springs. I assume there are fewer revolvers with these type springs.

March 16, 2018, 07:06 AM	#23
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I THINK those main springs were originally developed for bullseye guns. I seem to recall that they were supposed to provide smoother action cycling than the traditional spring. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 16, 2018, 08:06 AM	#24
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,292	I like you guys. To me, this is what a handgun should look like.