125 Anniversary Model 25

[ScottBart]

Could anyone out there tell me anything about the 125 anniversary model 25? I believe it has a 6" barrel and states 125 Anniversary 1852-1977. Sorry but that is all the info I have at this time other than it is blued. No paper or box just gun; looks like it is in great shape. What would be a fair price?Thanks
ScottBart

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I don't own one of these, but I have seen a few. The 125th anniversary pistol is in 45ACP and comes in a special presentation box with a blue hard bound book called "The First 125 Years of Smith & Wesson" by Roy Jinks. I think it also comes with some sort of 125th anniversary medallion as well.

I'm sure someone will come along with a picture of one of these.

 

[TDC]

The 125th Anniversary Commemorative is a 45 LC with a 6 1/2" barrel. It was produced in 1977 and 10,000 guns were made. It is designated the Mod. 25-3. Of that number 50 were made with special engraving and special ivory appearing magna grips. It was the first 45 Long Colt firearm S&W had produced in many years.....

The package includes the Roy Jinks book... "125 Years With Smith & Wesson". A special S&W medallion was included as well as a unique presentation case.. Specially selected smooth presentation target stocks completed the beautiful package.

It is one of the most handsome N frame guns S&W has ever produced...

 

[xray97]

Probably one of a kind. It was not one of the 50 with special engraving but is factory Class A engraved.

 

[kennyb]

i picked up the complete set about a year ago....it's very nicely done...

 

[TDC]

OOoooWeeee! That is pretty, xray97....

Here is a picture of a consecutive numbered pair. I don't have one of the "one of 50" either. I think your class A engraving is better than those!

ScottBart...

The prices on the 125th can vary as widely as it does with all commemorative firearms. It depends on condition of the revolver and how many of the original extras are still included with the gun. Many people shy away from commemorative's because they believe they are too pretty to shoot. That's a shame.. It is a perfectly functional firearm. I know several people who shoot one as do I and are pleased with its performance.

Ten thousand of these gun were made and those numbers don't translate to huge increases in value or rareness to typical collectors. I've seen them sell recently for as low as $600 for a used gun without any extras and $1200 for an unused gun, new in the original presentation case with the original shipping carton. That particular gun also had a very low serial number which is important to many collectors...

They are beautiful guns, IMO, extremely undervalued and priced when compared to new production equivalents, and a worthy addition to anyone's collection, whether large or small..

 

[TDC]

Found some rather bad pictures of the original S&W pre-production announcement that went out to all jobbers and distributors to invite orders for the new gun.

I received this flyer from a friend named Lando Currier, who was a manufacturers representative for the DeVeere Company that represented S&W and Bangor Punta west of the Mississippi.

I'll try to improve the pictures for any future posts.

 

[Stirling]

Fine looking handguns indeed. I must confess that my first thought was, "fine looking handguns, they must be great to shoot!".

 

[Qball]

Great revolver.
I even had mine cut for fullmoon clips.
Worked like a charm with handloaded .45acp , (250grains bullets)

 

[glenncal1]

Fine looking handguns indeed. I must confess that my first thought was, "fine looking handguns, they must be great to shoot!".

This one shoots real good:

For the OP, IMHO without the case and all the goodies that went with it you are looking at a shooter (with a 125th stamp on the side), I wouldn't pay much more that $500-600 for the gun. You can find one "fully loaded" for not much more.

 

[xray97]

OOoooWeeee! That is pretty, xray97....

Here is a picture of a consecutive numbered pair. I don't have one of the "one of 50" either. I think your class A engraving is better than those!

ScottBart...

The prices on the 125th can vary as widely as it does with all commemorative firearms. It depends on condition of the revolver and how many of the original extras are still included with the gun. Many people shy away from commemorative's because they believe they are too pretty to shoot. That's a shame.. It is a perfectly functional firearm. I know several people who shoot one as do I and are pleased with its performance.

Ten thousand of these gun were made and those numbers don't translate to huge increases in value or rareness to typical collectors. I've seen them sell recently for as low as $600 for a used gun without any extras and $1200 for an unused gun, new in the original presentation case with the original shipping carton. That particular gun also had a very low serial number which is important to many collectors...

They are beautiful guns, IMO, extremely undervalued and priced when compared to new production equivalents, and a worthy addition to anyone's collection, whether large or small..

Thanks! I own an unengraved version that I bought before I "ran into" the engraved gun but when I saw the engraved for sale I had to have it. I have the presentation case, book, and medallion for both.

 

[ScottBart]

Thank you all for the information and pictures. The gun shop wants 700.00 plus tax & monies for the transfer fee. Also, I have to go simply by looks, this place does not have a place to test fire.
ScottBart

 

[BUFF]

Roger, that is really a nice looking gun.

If I remember correctly, the 50 engraved 125th Commemoratives were Model 25-4, while the standard ones were 25-3.

I bought two of them November 22, 1977. They were $350.00 suggested retail, but they were the first cataloged .45 Colt sixgun from S&W, they were limited in quantity, and prices went nuts at first. I shot one of them a little bit, cleaned it up and sold it at the next big gunshow here for $700. After a year or so, everybody figured out that 10,000 guns were actually not rare, and prices collapsed, especially when S&W introduced the standard production Model 25-5.

They are classy guns.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I don't own one of these, but I have seen a few. The 125th anniversary pistol is in 45ACP and comes in a special presentation box with a blue hard bound book called "The First 125 Years of Smith & Wesson" by Roy Jinks. I think it also comes with some sort of 125th anniversary medallion as well.

I'm sure someone will come along with a picture of one of these.

It is actually .45 Colt or "Long Colt," as is more commonly used for the name of that old revolver cartridge.

 

[xray97]

Roger, that is really a nice looking gun.

If I remember correctly, the 50 engraved 125th Commemoratives were Model 25-4, while the standard ones were 25-3.

I bought two of them November 22, 1977. They were $350.00 suggested retail, but they were the first cataloged .45 Colt sixgun from S&W, they were limited in quantity, and prices went nuts at first. I shot one of them a little bit, cleaned it up and sold it at the next big gunshow here for $700. After a year or so, everybody figured out that 10,000 guns were actually not rare, and prices collapsed, especially when S&W introduced the standard production Model 25-5.



Thank you! It has an interesting history. The original owner ordered the 125 th commemorative with Class A engraving and S&W accepted the order. Sometime thereafter the owner was contacted by S&W and advised that a mistake had been made in accepting his order as no Class A engraved guns could be made except for the 50 Deluxe editions. S&W offered to make the gun with Class B or Class C engraving instead. The owner hired an attorney, threatened S&W with legal action for not fulfilling the contract resulting from the original order, and S&W finally relented and made the gun per the original order. The gun letters as a 125th Anniversary commemorative with Class A factory engraving. Probably the only one that exists.

 

[BUFF]

That's a pretty great history.

 

[kennyb]

should anyone here know where i can locate a key that locks the display box..please PM me..i would sure appreciate it

 

[roberto1951]

FWIW, there is one listed for sale in Brunswick, GA for $1195. Unfired in the wooden box with the book, medallion, key according to the seller and shown in a picture. Looks like the one pictured earlier in this thread.

 

[45Wheelgun]

One of the 50 25-4s:

The coin is solid silver and the book is leather bound and autographed by Roy Jinks.

 

[ddixie884]

The 25-3 revolvers are very well done, and would make a very nice shooter, if not collector grade........