SMITH & WESSON THE .45 HAND EJECTOR MODEL OF 1950, MILITARY (1950 ARMY) “PRE-MODEL 22” Description
.45 ACP cal., introduced November 1951, double action revolver built on the square butt N 5 screw frame, similar to the 1917 Model with a new shorter throw hammer and trigger with a new slide action hammer block as indicated with an S serial prefix, 5 1/2 inch round barrel, the lanyard ring was now discontinued, 6 shot fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.53 in. Magna style walnut grips, 1/10 in. forged round blade front sight with square notch rear sights, 203 were reported chambered in .45 Colt at serial S103000, but only one has been found. This model can be marked "45 CAL MODEL 1950" or "S&W D.A. 45" on the barrels right side. Became the Model 22 in 1957. The four standard address lines now appear on the frame's right side, with a large S&W trademark on the sideplate. Serial number range S85000 to S236000 in the N frame series and possibly as high as S263000. One collector reports a serial number in the S2558xx serial area. 3,976 reported mfg. circa 1951-1966.