Help with valuation of 4-inch 25-3 in .45 Colt

[DCWilson]

I'm helping a neighbor value some firearms she wishes to sell. I am out of my depth on this revolver and hope that better-informed forum members can offer some thoughts.

Model 25-3, 4-inch barrel, in the uncommon .45 Colt chambering. Serial number N903xxx. I know that in top condition these can command prices above $2000, even well above with original boxes or display cases. This one has no box and has lost its original stocks. There is obvious bluing loss and minor scratching, but I saw no rust, pits, or gouges on exposed surfaces. Action seems fine, but I didn't range-test it. The gun was probably last fired over a decade ago.

Any ideas about a fair price would be much appreciated.

 

[CH4]

My WAG is based mostly on what I'd pay coupled with guns I've seen in similar condition, and it's chambered in 45 Colt. Although ugly, it's the perfect working gun. I'd pay $500 to $650.

 

[The Norseman]

Shooter grade

That M25 45Colt is banged up, grips are terrible,
no box/paper work, and who know how much
rust under grips.

I estimate $500.

The best to you and your endeavors

 

[NYlakesider]

Well it is in the mistreated category, assuming it could pass a knowledgeable gun persons typical test the action out, about $500. ( you did say you knew little about revolves and that it had a "fine action"!)

 

[Tom S.]

I believe $500 is probably a fair assessment. Certainly no more than that. I know many don't care for refinished guns, but if that one was mine, it would be on it's way to Ford's.

 

[mtgianni]

If that gun were at a gun show in SW Montana with a $500 price tag, it would be sold before the show opened.

 

[local_dirt]

Personally, Wouldn't touch it.

 

[jpage]

If the revolver is in CA, I'd say closer to $750 with a FTF transfer. Pre-locks are a rarity in the Sunshine State.

 

[22hipower]

Don't think I've ever seen a 4 inch 25-3, thought they were all 6.5s. For $500 I'd probably have to buy it just to say I had one, but more than that would be tough.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[CH4]

A perfect candidate for hard chrome

 

[CH4]

Don't think I've ever seen a 4 inch 25-3, thought they were all 6.5s. For $500 I'd probably have to buy it just to say I had one, but more than that would be tough.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

True
Aren’t they all commemoratives?

 

[Dvus]

If mechanics all check out, I would go as much as $700 on it. I'm wanting a shooter, not a looker, but haven't been able to find either with a 4" barrel. The pretty ones are darn near unaffordable and too pretty to carry in the field.

 

[jaymoore]

Looks to me like it got a 25-5 cylinder and barrel. The 25-3s had a slightly shorter cylinder than usual. I forget how much. Or it could be just how the revolver photographed.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

If the revolver is in CA, I'd say closer to $750 with a FTF transfer. Pre-locks are a rarity in the Sunshine State.

Actually I saw one S&W 25-3 four inch at my LGS in CA. It was a Police revolver and it was $500. It looked well worn as the one the OP posted.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I'm helping a neighbor value some firearms she wishes to sell. I am out of my depth on this revolver and hope that better-informed forum members can offer some thoughts.

Model 25-3, 4-inch barrel, in the uncommon .45 Colt chambering. Serial number N903xxx. I know that in top condition ...

Was her husband a cop? Back in the 1970s and 1980s several Police Departments in Southern California authorized 45 Colt revolvers.

The Rancho Cucamonga Turners had one for sale at $500 recently. I would go $1000/O.B.O.

 

[6string]

That appears to be a 25-5, not a 25-3.
Maybe it was mismarked at the factory? (Wouldn't be the first time!)
The 25-3 came out around 1977. It would have a pinned barrel. Also, although chambered for 45 Colt, it still used the shorter cylinder like used on the 25-2. A pronounced barrel extension at the forcing cone is usually a visual dead giveaway.
By the way, those short 45 Colt cylinders gave lots of headaches to handloaders wanting to use 255 gr. semiwadcutters.
As a result, S&W introduced the 25-5 with an extended the cylinder length, (similar to what you would see on the model 29 in 44 magnum). The 25-5 continued with the pinned barrel, but soon eliminated the pin after S&W was bought out by LSI.
At the same time, LSI corrected another problem by reducing the cylinder throats from ~0.457" to 0.452-0.454", thus greatly improving the accuracy.
So, from a shooter's perspective, the revolver shown in the OP would be fairly desirable.

Too bad about the finish condition. I hope that it's just bluing wear and not metal damage.
I hope whoever ends up with it appreciates it for its unique shooting qualities and enjoys it as such.

Hint: if you sell it, why not offer it here on the S&W forum in the classified ads? Start it at $750, then when you bump it each day you can drop the price $25 until someone bites.

 

[bananaman]

As much as I would like a 45 Colt 4" Smith, if the outside was that bad, what are the internals like? That is a shame! Bob

 

[22hipower]

As someone suggested above, hard chrome would be a nice fix for that
25-5 (it is a -5 right and not a -3?). It would look jut like this one,

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2oewPej https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[.455_Hunter]

Nice and desirable working gun in .45 Colt. I would replace the red ramp abomination with front/rear night sights and call it ready for duty.

 

[jb28]

If the revolver is in CA, I'd say closer to $750 with a FTF transfer. Pre-locks are a rarity in the Sunshine State.

I think this is closer here in the PRK. Heck if you were closer I'd be tempted as long as the action, barrel and cylinder were good.
Ask 750 and no bites go lower.