Hello again last week I bought a 25-3 anniversary edition from my favorite gun store in Quebec. And I said that I would post a couple of pictures, well here it is in all of its unfired condition.

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Are you in Saskatchewan then? Is there any problem buying from this dealer in Quebec? I know that Canadian gun laws are pretty grim. (Restrictive)

Will you shoot this nice .45?

BTW, I heard that Dominion/CIL ammo is no more. Is that true, and when did they close the factory, if so?

I used some of their 139 grain 7X57mm ammo when US firms didn't load that bullet weight, and some of their .303 ammo. I think they loaded .455 Colt long after US firms ceased supplying that round.

Great find.
I had two guns I said wouldn't ever be shot by me. Well those guns got shot. Curiosity got the best of me.
Not so funny thing is I was rather disappointed in both guns after shooting them.

Hi Texas Star, yes I'm in Saskatchewan, and no there is no problem buying from a different province since the gun laws are the same across the country. It took only a week from buying and transferring to mail it to me. And as far as the dominion ammunition I can't answer that, sorry, my intentions are not to shoot it but hand it down to my son. Thanks again

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Beautiful revolver and accoutrements, congratulations.

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Jeb

Nice gun, but I'm constitutionally incapable of owning a firearm without shooting it.

ANY TO SPARE? I could use some. I'd probly get a speeding ticket on the way to the range.

Just curious because I'm not a commemorative collector, but I do have a fair number of N-frames...I see that the barrel is pinned, and I imagine that the cylinder holes are recessed. klind45: you mentioned in your post that it's a 25-3... shouldn't it be an earlier 25-2? Unless there is a difference with how S&W builds the commemoratives, I thought that -3 models were no longer P&R. Regardless, it's a very nice piece. Congratulations!

Sort of like marrying a former Miss America and sleeping in a separate bedroom...

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No life story has happy end.

Well Art Doc who knows in a few months I might have an affair with miss America, as of now i'm happy getting to know her

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Well put. I used to hold things in such high regard I’d try to keep them pristine. So I can understand this position.

But as I get older, and others die around me unexpectedly, I’m beginning to use my things - and still take care of them - because otherwise they would probably be sold at auction for pennies on the dollar and used anyway.

Remember, it was already shot at the factory. You could shoot it a little, get it sighted in and clean it up to look like new again.

This is so true. Your son will still love it. Maybe even more knowing you shot and enjoyed it. I actually have a commemorative from my dad I enjoy shooting very much. We have probably all seen guns that were cherished and kept new by someone only to be sold cheap to buy a couple glocks or pay rent by next of kin.
Either way, nice gun. Enjoy.

Hi Hawg Rider, the cylinder is not recessed and is a bit shorter than the -5 so no buffalo bore rounds for this gun. As far as the -3 designation from what I have read it was for the anniversary edition and that 50 were engraved and were made the -4 so I've read hope this helps

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It's a sin to have the prettiest girl in town and not take her dancing.


Prescut

Not if you ever saw me dance.

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NHI, 10-8.

From what I have read and even noticed how to tell if a revolver has been shot is look for the imprint on the backing frame where the shell head hits when fired off. If a gun has an imprint there then it more than likely has been shot and probably more than just a few times.
Yeah my wife is a virgin just ask my kids.

Thanks you guys for all the input and kind remarks, I just have a hard time the older I get shooting beautiful Smith's that haven't been shot other than the factory. I have 6 in total one being a 175 year old number 2 that I can't bring myself to shoot. Maybe one day. And besides with our gun laws, chances are some of you guys might be owning them

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Klind45, your 25-3 is a beauty! But, I'm like many of the others, I must shoot my guns...whether they be rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver. I too have other S&W revolvers to shoot and I have in addition to my pristine 25-4 "Black Beauty" in 45 Colt, a 625-9 in 45 Colt. My 25-4, however, will never see a holster or be worn on my person, but I do shoot my 25-4 "Black Beauty" and it does it no harm. It still looks pristine!

S&W Model 25-4 "Black Beauty" in 45 Colt.










Thanks for looking at my "Black Beauty."

God bless,
Birdgun

This 25-4 called Black Beauty is an item I've never seen before. The Standard Catalog and other references all list the 25-4 as the fancy engraved version of the 25-3 Commemorative. Do you have the fancy cases, medals and book that would normally come with 25-4s? Is the cylinder the short version that doesn't accept all 45 Colt commercial ammo.
Perhaps you have an over-run made from unused guns from the 125th Anniversary.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

S&WIowegan, thank you!!! My Model 15 is a -4, not my Model 25, which is a -5. My apologies. The revolver I call "Black Beauty" is a Model 25-5.

Thanks again!

God bless,
Birdgun

I'm not much for denying myself the fun of using things for the benefit of somebody in the future I don't even know.

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No life story has happy end.

That was one of the most concise explanations of "Shooter vs. Collector" that I've seen!

It completely sums up my attitude toward firearms.

Thanks guys for all the input chances are I will take sum of my unfired outside the factory guns to the range,it does make sense to enjoy them,but like I said before the older I get the more I want to save older Smith's in pristine condition. Thanks again

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I understand where you’re coming from as a collector. I have a few that are very lightly used most of the time if it’s less than 50 rounds it looks unfired. So I’ll isually put 2 or 3 cylinders through it why not. I actually feel pretty good being a steward of certain things and passing them on into the future as best as I can, even though I’ll never know if it gets traded for a new pair of shoes. I do this with guns and many others vintage items.
And go Riders!

As already stated, the 125th 25-3 guns were pinned but not recessed. While all N-frames barrels were pinned during the p&r era only the magnums had a recessed cylinder. For example, the 44 special, 38/44 and 45 acp were not recessed. Therefore the 25-3 with the first for S&W, 45 Long Colt was not recessed.
As a side not, I believe this was the first model to have “Colt” stamped (or rolled) on a S&W.

I bought one of these in 1978. The absolute most beautiful gun I have ever owned. Accuracy was quite mediocre. In the pre internet days I knew nothing about oversized throats and poor accuracy. Disgusted, I traded it off after a few months. Kinda wish I hadn’t. But it would likely have been nearly 30 years before I had the knowledge to set it straight.