Jovino, Behlert, or ?? 25-2 Snubby ID Help Needed (A little updated added Post 6)

quinn · #1 07-06-2016, 04:17 PM

This was offered in the classifieds a while back and decided to follow me home. I was pretty sure I knew what it was... now not so much. The big item is the crane lock (which replaces the amputated ejector rod lock). I have 2 other Jovino's-- one of which is lettered as shipped to Jovino in June, 1982--The blue gun in the second post, It has an N904xx serial and is a 25-5 in 45 Colt. On the lettered Jovino, the crane lock has a new locking pin that has been added to the lower portion of the barrel shroud. (see photo) with a corresponding indentation on the crane.

The newest addition --in nickel--(which I thought was a Jovino) has a new locking pin built into the crane just below the ejector rod. There is a corresponding indentation in the lower part of the shroud to receive the crane lock. The pin and indentation locations are reversed from the lettered Jovino. The nickel gun is a 25-2 with a serial of N139xxx indicating a manufacture date of abut 1973, almost a decade before the blue gun.

Other than the method of the crance lock, the features appear nearly identical:
1. Rounded hammer spur
2. Smoothed trigger
3. Rounded grip frame to K RB size and shape
4. Style and attachment of front sight.

I have never seen a Behlert done snubby so I have no way to compare. I know that other gunsmiths made these. Or, did the Jovino shop change their method of adding a crane lock? Any insight would be appreciated. I'll post some more comparison photos in the next post. Thanks.

Jovino, Behlert, or ?? 25-2 Snubby ID Help Needed (A little updated added Post 6)-100_2995-jpg

Jovino, Behlert, or ?? 25-2 Snubby ID Help Needed (A little updated added Post 6)-100_2995-jpg

quinn · #2 07-06-2016, 04:23 PM

Blue is lettered Jovino, Nickel is unknown...

jringo8769 · #3 07-07-2016, 06:14 AM

They remind me of my 24-3 Lew Horton
But much nicer

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Lonegle57 · #4 07-07-2016, 07:36 AM

I have a Behlert snubby in 44 mag it has a signature on the barrel designated as a Behlert gun. Its not in my hands right now to check the crane, will do so later and check.

M1Lover · #5 07-10-2016, 02:58 PM

Here's my 25-2 Jovino for comparison. Yours look very similar.

A friendly Smith & Wesson appreciation thread

quinn · #6 07-10-2016, 07:45 PM

I have been continuing my research and finally got the grips off (they were really on there). There are no additional names anywhere. From my googling it would appear that Behlert tended to stamp his name on anything he touched... so we may need to rule him out. Second, I'm thinking the finish is hard chrome and not nickel. However, Behlert did favor chomoloy finishes. Also, there is no "N" on the frame to indicate this shipped in nickel. However, all of the modified guns were refinished as a part of the customizing process. Jovino didn't mark his guns until they got into the "Effector" series. So, still don't have answers. Thanks for the info so far.

colt_saa · #7 07-10-2016, 08:38 PM

Do not be so hasty to rule out Behlert. However I would think it was nickeled some time after the conversion was done. Behlert would probably not have plated the hammer and trigger, unless that is what the customer requested.

My Behlert is not stamped with his name either. However I know for a fact it is a Behlert, I knew the prior owner back when he sent it in for the conversion.

Jebus35745 · #8 07-10-2016, 08:53 PM

I have a 25-2 at Andy Horvath right now being cut to 3 1/2" so I retain the front lock up. He could have cut it shorter like the Jovino guns are cut. I remember a 28 he did he did for someone as a snub that was the same length as yours is. At any rate, just about any good gunsmith could have done yours. Andy leaves a stamp under the grip to identify his work. Larry