I have a solid lead on a model 2-35 125th anniversary edition, Blue NIB with presentation cases and all docs, S$W patch and coin. Can anyone help me as to what I should pay for this. The owner doesn't trade guns but bought this & has had this stored away. He is willing to sell but he doesn't know what it's worth. Neither do I. The SWSC doesn't give me a clue... I have the SN that I told the owner i wouldn't post as I looked at prices. I can M if someone who really knows this stuff can help.

Mike

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Here's one on Gunbroker, to give you an idea. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=271979745

After many. many years absence, S&W finally came out with an N frame in a caliber many had only dreamed about. The 125th Anniversary Commemorative Mod. 25-3 in 45 Long Colt was born.

They came in a beautiful special presentation case, the very deep bright blue of their era, had special branding, special smooth Goncalo Alves grips with commemorative cuts, still had a 6 1/2" pinned barrel, a commemorative medal, and included the great Roy Jinks hard cover book on S&W history, all for a retail price of $350.00

I, like many other serious S&W collectors during that time frame (1977) scrambled to buy these fabulous new offerings from S&W. I wanted a shooter and a NIB for my collection. Soon after making those two purchases I came across a NIB consecutively numbered pair that I couldn't turn down... Still have all 4 them all!

Many people dislike the idea of commemorative guns because they believe they are just too pretty to shoot. I can sympathize with that opinion because they are one of the most beautiful handguns ever produced by S&W. I know several people, including myself, who do shoot them and use them for their original intent..

25-3's that were shot got a "bad wrap" early because many, like other Mod 25-2's apparently of their era, were manufactured with over-sized throats.

Because of those claims, the fact that 10,000 of these guns were made, the resistance to buy this type "pretty" gun as a shooter, the resultant demand and therefore the prices for these guns has not escalated comparably to other models of their era as they should have.

Prices have been all over the board with these beautiful commemorative Mod, 25-3 45 Long Colt's. IMO, these guns continue to be one of the best N frame buys in existence today.

I rarely make value statements. All I would suggest is to compare a NIB 25-3 125th with all the extras to any other model or their basic configuration today and draw your own conclusion.

I think you'll agree... It's the best "bang for the buck" revolver available today...

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Terry

thanks guys. This helps

__________________
John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Below is a poor digital photo of the original sales brochure that went out to S&W jobbers and distributors prior to public introduction. Hope it's readable.

Another thing.... serial number does make a difference, especially if the number is less than 100. You may want to keep that in mind...

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Terry

There is one on GunsAmerica sn: 34 which was delivered to an employee at Smith and is the original package unopened
The price seems fair, seems like it is better than N.I.B.!

http://www.gunsamerica.com/911191003...nniversary.htm

I had one, NIB, sold it after 4 or 5 years, never fired it.
Don't remember what the S/N was.