Model 25-2 with the barrel marked "Model 1950". According to the guy that has it, he wrote Roy Jinks and was told Smith let 1000 of 'em go with that marking.

So, with two identically-condition 25-2s, would that be worth more?

It wouldn't be to me, but I'm a shooter, not a collector.

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I always take precautions

That particular "oops" typically has only a very small premium over one properly marked.
I own one as well, I don't value it any more than one properly marked.

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John

If you get a factory mismarked coin, its worth a lot more. If you get a factory misprinted stamp, its worth more. If you've got a ford escort with a pinto fender on it, you're had. Pretty much the same with a gun. Doesn't need to be S&W, its just a mistake. Not a valuable oddity that will he highly sought after in the years to come. Its more likely that 30 or 50 years from now the few collectors out and about will debate if its even original to the gun, or if some shade tree yokel did some backyard gunsmithing. Don't pay more for one. YMMV.

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Dick Burg

I have one and I can tell you that it is worth a LOT more!!

Actually, it really is more of a curiosity I think. Mine is a 99% gun in the presentation box with all papers and accessories and still has the original cardboard shipping container. I paid $550 for it in 2008 so you can make your own assessment.

But, back in 1977 Roy wrote a letter in which he stated: "...in reference to the Model 25 you recently purchased which is marked '45 Cal. Model 1950' on the barrel. This marking was the result of an error at Smith & Wesson wherein small quanities of our Model 25 barrels were stamped with an old stamping, and before we became aware of this error a small quantity of the guns were shipped to our wholesale distributors.

The gun you have purchased is our current 1955 Model 45 Target, and in our opinion this error in our stamping adds to the value as a collectors item. However, if you wish to have the stamping corrected you may return the gun to the factory and we will be pleased to make this correction at no charge".


Bob

This question comes up from time to time, Perhaps it would make a nice "Sticky".
When you think about it if there was a premium for mismarked guns S&W would probably start mismarking them and charing a premium.

IMHO Mismarked Smiths are only worth more to a person that purposely collects mismarked Smiths.

One particular mismarked gun has been advertised as "RARE" and "SPECIAL" and at over double its real world value on a well known auction site for well over a year.
Reminds me there is "Sucker" born every minute and someone waiting to exploit them.


Again all this is just my Opinion.

Maybe, but. In the end, they're only worth what you can git for 'em.

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RIP Shipmate

Think I know the one you are talking about. A 617 marked as a 17?
I get a chuckle out of it each time I run across it.
But there must not be a sucker born every minute, or some sucker would have bought it by now.

While perusing GB for a used Model 28, I continued to come across a "RARE!!!" 28-2 mismarked as a 29-2. If I recall, they were asking a premium for it for that simple reason...

I saw no reason to pay more for a gun that was marked incorrectly when all I wanted was a functioning 28. But hey, that's just my .02 FRN...

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Apparently there are some important people in the S&W chain who see these guns as collectible and I agree with him. These are in a different category than the mistakes and "mis-marks" some like to commonly refer to.

Roy Jinks was product manager at the time as well as current S&W historian.

Below is a letter I received from Roy Jinks in 1977 soon after I acquired a Mod 25-2 with the 1950 mis-mark. I believe it is the same letter bettis1 refers to in an earlier post to this thread. The 25 pictured below is the gun the Roy Jinks letter refers to.

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Terry

Thanks for printing your letter, Terry. It is the one that I was referring to.

We all "hang our hats" on Factory Letters from the Historian and apparently Roy felt that particular factory error added some collector value. It is hard to rationalize accepting his opinion in one case and rejecting it in another. But then, it is only one man's opinion...

Bob

Why do the guns that I have which have mistakes cause the gun to be less valuable? I walk under a black cloud.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

I lettered my "mis-marked" Model 25-2 and received Mr. Jinks's letter in December, 2006.
Mr. Jinks makes no mention of any added value.
I'm not a mind reader, but it may be that Mr. Jinks prospective opinion of "added value" he held in 1977 when he replied to TDC was not borne out by the collectors market in the following 30 years, and he no longer held that opinion in 2006 when he replied to me. Or at least it was no longer important enough for him to mention it.
I've looked at one or two of these mis-marked guns on auction sites in the last couple years and have seen no significant price increase over a correctly marked revolver in similar condition.

Just my opinion, and worth every cent you paid for it!

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John

I just sent in a letter request for my mis-marked M25-2 yesterday. Maybe we can get some feeling of Roy's current opinion when he answers.

Bob

Bottom line is there is just no clear definition of what criterion a truly collectible handgun must meet.

How many of us really have the expertise or have the opportunity to see enough of any single model to draw an accurate and unchallengeable conclusion of value? I sure don't and with the exception of very few people, neither do most others IMHO.

The purpose in displaying the letter is to reveal a knowledgeable persons opinion during that 1976/77 time frame. Times change, conditions change, and above all, interests change that can affect any guns values positively or negatively. Such is the case with the controversial S&W Mod.25-2 mis-mark.

An inconclusive 1000 mis-marks were shipped. Far more than to classify it as rare but much less than to classify it as a typically common production run item.

Consider for a moment if the mis-mark had been a Mod 29 44 mag instead of a 45 ACP. Or a 66 no-dash instead. The number of collectors of those two guns far exceeds the number of Mod 25 collectors and the demand to have those guns to complete their collections would be intense.

Time will give us all the answers not any individual speculation. I think I'll bet on the Mod 25-2 mis-mark......

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Terry