I picked this up from an Indvidual who said the red lined boxes were somewhat rare and were likely salesman's display boxes.
I admit that I know very little about these and have tried searching this forum but have found only blue lined boxes. Everything appears to be there but I really have no way of knowing without a Roy Jinks letter. It is said to be unfired and does appear so. Only a light drag mark on the cylinder. I am out of town on a work assignment and don't have access to my big book. Does anyone have any info? it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

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I have the same revolver and box but mine is lined in blue. Will be standing by to listen because I have never seen a red one.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

By the way - I think the stocks on your revolver have been swapped out at some point. The standard stocks on the 25-3 are the smooth presentation grade. Looks like someone installed the standard N frame target stocks.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

I would say Red liner isn’t factory, neither is leather cartridge insert and the grips have been switched. Where is the leather bound S&W book in the lid? You been scuffed.

I’ve never seen one like that. I’d guess the “salesman’s sample” bit was more “sales puffery” than anything. Doesn’t mean it’s not a nice revolver. Just not collector condition. If you bought it to shoot, you’re in luck.

The complete outer package would be the gun in a blue box without label, on top of the mahogany wood presentation box inside a cardboard shipping box with the S&W label affixed to it. And with the S&W book mentioned packed inside too.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Pretty sure there would also be a tool set, instructions, various brochures, and the commemorative coin too. My blue box has no label but it does say 125th anniversary on the cover.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Don't forget the cardboard spacer to take up the room in the shipping carton next to the blue box, and the label which would have been affixed to one end of the carton......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

On the 125th Anniversary model the case had Roy Jinks's book mounted in the lid along with the coin. The original covering was blue. To the OP, your case liners have been replaced and tastefully done in the past! Here is a case I have done in the 125th Anniv. case.

jcelect

I would agree, the red lined boxes are rare . I like the stocks just fine, and better than a lot of the smoothies I have seen.

I hope the fellow that sold you the M25 was not a forum member.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I might have overpaid a little but I am still happy with this very fine piece of craftsmanship! #alwayslookatthebrightside

Someone correct me if I am wrong Please! I was going to buy the 125th anniversary model as new in box with all the paperwork but I backed out because I read Smith had problems with the chambering on the 25-3. I don't remember what it was, something about the length of the cartrige and the cylinder and I backed out.

I heard Hickok45 say the same thing when he was testing a 25-5 which he said and I have heard they corrected on the 25-5.

Long story short, I held out for the 25-5 and couldn't be happier. Plus the 25 - 5 came with the target grips which I prefer. On the other hand it was not a commenterive anny 125th version.

The 25-3 has a bit shorter cylinder so heavy 45 caliber bullets might not be able to be seated deeply enough to not protrude from the cylinder. I doubt that many 125th anniversary models get much range time. Mine certainly won't and if it does, I won't be worrying about the cylinder being a tad shorter than a 25-5. You'll get another opportunity for a 25-3 package if you want one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

As others have previously posted, a complete package of that era consists of an outer cardboard shipping container, no label blue box, gun inside blue box, wrapped in vapor paper, cardboard spacer, wooden presentation case in plastic envelope, documents, and (cleaning tools / SAT, in a plastic bag).

The "order" of assembly is wooden case on bottom, place liner on top, add blue box with gun, add docs and tools under liner covered section adjacent to the blue box, close outer box and add typical end label.

Shown is my Model 27 Nickle that I sold some years ago. The buyer only wanted the gun and was not interested in the package, so I sold the whole package minus gun to another person.

In my case the case had been very tastefully redone in dark maroon velvet by whom I do not know so I did not sell this package as a factory correct, because even though the gun correctly pointed right for that serial number gun (and I had a Factory Letter confirming ship date), the case should have been lined with blue flocking I believed.

Hope this helps if you are looking for a "complete package".

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

This is a false assumption. Any SAAMI spec 45 Colt ammunition will fit. This is simply internet lore.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Yes, probably any SAAMI spec 45 Colt round will work. I'm referencing the use of hand loads with longer and heavier bullets; 325 grain for example. The recommended COL, or that chosen by the loader, for those may be longer than the 25-3 will support.

As I pointed out, hardly a reason not to buy a 25-3 if we want one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

What you are talking about is non - spec ammunition that does not meet any standards. If I load anything it is to a recipe that is published as usable in a Smith & Wesson Model 25. Not anything else.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Ten2six,

When you have a chance, would you measure the overall length of your cylinder, not counting the ratchet or boss? I'd like to compare the OAL to a converted .455 cylinder that I have.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The 25-3 was the first "stardard" 45 colt model. One nice thing about the 25-3 is it is easy to fit an extra cylinder in 45 acp to them

The agrument about cylinder length has happened before along with the one about the fact that most of the early 45 colt guns have oversized throats for modern 45 colt loading using .452 bullets

I can show you factory ammo that will not work in the short cylinder 25-3. Most factory ammo does fit however. But, S&W changed to the longer 44 mag length cylinders for 45 colts starting with the 25-5 and all the following 45 colts with good reason. Part way through the 25-5 run is also where they began makeing the all the throats .452

I run all long cylinders made by reaming 44 mag cylinder in my 45 colts. I get exactly what I want and do not stick to anemic Samii standard loads designed to be safe in 150 year old revolvers

It will be mid-next week before I get back home. I will let you know then.

Not the OP but I have posted the answer many times. The cylinder measures 1.567" long.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Thanks a bunch. I've got a couple of long wok days ahead, so it'll probably be Sunday before I dig out my .455 cylinder for comparison.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Both my 455 1st model (TL) and my second model 455 measure 1.5875.

Makes sense as the colt rim is .060 while the 455 is .040+-

If a 455 cylinder was converted by shaving the back of it for the thicker colt rim it would come out around 1.567.

I had a 25-3 many years ago and foolishly sold it.