Hi all, I gotta 629-1 Effector and wanted some info on age,value and numbers made. It is a 3" double action only with parchmayer grip. M. 629-1 is stamped under serial # AHS2640. I remember a S and M in a circle on the frame under the grip.

Regarding the manufacture time frame, the 629-1 dated to the mid 80s.. I don't know the numbers of that particular model, I suspect quite small. However, the S&M is quite approriate for a small .44 mag.

Good luck,
Steve

I believe it's a Jovino gun. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable then I will confirm it. I used to visit their shop regularly, always loved Jovino's.

That is strange that it is a DAO with a hammer. I also believe that the Effector's were Jovino's as well, looks like an excellent piece.

Yes, the Effectors were Jovino guns. In addition to the shortened barrel the gun has probably had the hammer spur and trigger recontoured, the grip frame reduced to k-round, and a slick action job. From what I've seen, that was pretty much the "package" of alterations that Jovino, Behlert, and some others did when they chopped the N frames down into carry size snubbies. I haven't heard of any DAO before, though.

Very cool piece Torrshi, have you had it long?

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Yes that is beyond cool, I'd call it sexy, very sexy!!!

Thank you for all the interesting information. I was not aware it was a sexy one. Would this be considered a rare gun? How many did Jovino make? Value?
Thank you all in advance for taking the time.

Can I call S&W for information? Will they take the time?

It is hard to be sure that your gun is a Jovino modification. The hammer spur contour certainly looks like his but the end of the barrel lug doesn't. In all of the Jovino's that I know of the barrel was shortened to the extent that the front locking mechanism was removed and replaced with a ball detent. It is possible that, since your barrel wasn't shortened that much the front mechanism was left intact and that accounts for the contour being different from his usual conversion.

Here are a couple of Jovino guns to compare with. Mine is pictured in post #10 where the ball detent is in the front of the locking lug. The detent that is visible in the original poster's gun on the top of the lug was done by another gunsmith.

You can call the Factory but they can only tell you the original model that the gun was shipped in. However, a letter from Roy Jinks will say where and when it shipped...hopefully, that it shipped to Jovino, Behlert, or some other gun shop where it was modified. Otherwise, unless you can back track to the person who modified it, you are left with only assumptions.

Very nice gun, though. Congratulations.
Bob

My 25-2 lettered as a Jovino

Torrshi,

Just to be clear, I think your gun probably is a Jovino modification. Perhaps the different treatment of the cylinder lock can be attributed to his reluctance to change the Factory design because of the increased recoil of the .44 Mag. Most of his early work was on the .45 ACP in the 25-2.

Bob

That is a Jovino forsure. The first ones he did look like mine & Bobs. The later ones He called them Effector & marked the barrel as such. He also made them in 41 mag if I recall. As for it being DAO, He did do action work on them too, Im Thinking he mite have taken to much off the hammer trigger. Like when you get push off on the hammer from being filed to much. They always bob the hammer on DAO also.

I am sending for the letter today and see what Mr, Jinks can find out. Hopefully it is as you guys say a Jovino.

Thank you

I sent for my letter two months ago and just got it last week.

Got my letter back from Mr. Jinks, and indeed it was shipped to Jovinos in 1985 with a 6" barrel than modified to a 3" barrel. So now any ideas on price?

$1000-$1300 easy, probably more on gunbroker if the right buyer sees it. These guns seldom come up for sale and since it is marked Effector and lettered as sent to Jovino, there's no question that it came from his shop. I'm sure you would have no trouble selling it if you wanted to.

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Thank you for all your information.