Non-Pinned Barrel 25-5 with a serial number begining with N?

Ziptar · #1 10-25-2011, 08:12 AM

I'm confused....

I've always understood that the Non-Pinned Barrel 25-5s had the ABCXXXXX format serial numbers.

Then I saw this, S&W 25 w/ box & papers, 45 Long Colt, 99%, 1981 NR : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

This is the first I've seen a non-pinned barrel 25-5 with a serial number of N9042XX. The seller puts the YOM at 1981 based on the serial number too early for the non-pinned 25-5s.

The product code on the box of 100904 wasn't available until 1984 according to the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog.

Quote:

100904 6” B TS TT TH RR WO .45 Colt, 1984-91 46 oz.

The stock and feature codes on the box match up with the product code but, I suppose it could still be a non original box. There no picture of serial number on the crane so hard to know for sure.

Something not right here? Is this an oddball? Or did S&W start making non-pinned 25-5s with serial numbers starting with N?

Fkimble · #2 10-25-2011, 08:50 AM

Interesting, I recently picked up a 28-2 with out a pinned barrel, bur recessed cylinder. It's serial number is approx 95000 higher than your 25.

KSCowboy · #3 10-25-2011, 10:03 AM

Yep, I have a 25-5 that is non pinned with serial of N939xxx.

Dennis The B · #4 10-25-2011, 10:15 AM

If I've learned anything from the knowledge on this forum, it's learning to "never say never".

In the early 1980's, S&W would have been in transition from "P&R", to "non-P&non-R" eras. Being they are a manufacturing company and not a producer of collectibles, they would have used all frames in stock until they were exhausted.

By this time, the pin in the barrel was already superfluous, so why drill the frame for the barrel pin, if the production process was in flux?

I've mentioned this before, but I have a Lew Horton Model 24-3, with a three-inch, pinned barrel. The revolver was produced in 1984. This would have been a full two years after the end of the era of "P&R". Go figure.