25-2, 2 3/4"/Who Does This Work?

Retired W4

Retired W4

US Veteran
Gold Supporter
Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Messages
11,388
Reaction score
28,219
Location
Atlanta area
I picked up this revolver marked 25-2 that has some very unusual features and I'm hoping someone can tell me who does this kind of work. The serial number is from the N7XXXXX, 1980 time frame, which does not fit with the -2. The forward detent has been moved from the extractor rod to the face of the yoke. Also, as you can see from the pictures, it appears it is stainless steel but could be hard chromed. No markings on the barrel at all. It has a smooth target trigger and the rear of the hammer thumb piece has been rounded. The timing is perfect and the lock-up is great.

Who ever modified the gun did an excellent job. Can anyone tell me who is responsible for this work?
 

Attachments

  • 25-2 001.jpg
    25-2 001.jpg
    182.8 KB · Views: 448
  • 25-2 003.jpg
    25-2 003.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 413
  • 25-2 004.jpg
    25-2 004.jpg
    105 KB · Views: 362
  • 25-2 005.jpg
    25-2 005.jpg
    160.7 KB · Views: 358
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
As stated above almost all the Smiths marked their work. Behlert, Spokandguns, Jovino, C&S, both as a statement and as an advertisement. The inspiration is definitely Behlert, but it should have a "signature" somewhere.
 
I believe that it is a John Jovino. Here is a 25-2 of his that he made in 1983 (N829xxx). There is no marking on the gun that identifies it as his work, however, the factory shipped it to him and the barrel contour, hammer spur, and detent is typical of his work. From what I can see of yours it fits his work.

Jovino had a shop in NYC across the street from the NYPD and was a major supplier for them. He, along with Behlert and a few other custom smiths, were the first to produce the short barrel, large bore guns on a custom basis and their work stimulated the Factory to copy them.

Bob

standard.jpg

standard.jpg
 
It should go without saying that these guns are highly desirable, both as examples of fine custom work and as carry pieces. My Jovino is my favorite concealed carry revolver...none other comes close. Try it...you'll like it!

Bob
 
bettis1 said:
It should go without saying that these guns are highly desirable, both as examples of fine custom work and as carry pieces. My Jovino is my favorite concealed carry revolver...none other comes close. Try it...you'll like it!

Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I might send for a letter from Roy just to see if it was delivered to Mr. Jovino. Mine appears to be stainless steel, but I don't think it is. What is the finish on yours? Mine looks like your Jovino, for sure.
 
Last edited:
Retired W4 said:
Would Behlert or C&S mark their guns under the grips for identification?
Click to expand...
Usually but not always

Back in the late 70s/early 80s almost every gunsmith was doing conversions like this.

Behlert and Jovino are probably the best known of that era. C&S and Mag-Na-Port also did them. Then every small shop copied the bigger guys. Here is my Behlert. The person that had it done specifically asked for no markings.

25%20behlert%20small.jpg


Your revolver is finished in industrial Hard Chrome. This is almost a dead ringer for stainless steel and very durable and corrosion resistant.

Your barrel looks too long to be a Behlert. Hard to tell with the picture angles supplied. Most of his that I have seen are 2 3/8".

A S&W letter might get lucky with a name. However many folks bought the revolvers and then sent them off to be converted.
 
Just an observation; all three of the examples in this thread, including mine have no barrel markings. I remeasured the barrel and it is 2 3/4", not 3" as I first stated. I was thinking hard chrome but I really didn't know.
 
Last edited:
Poohgyrr said:
Ya know, them old wheelguns are very outdated and obsolete. Being so old, they'll likely blow up and take your hand with them too. And the ammo is outdated and expensive and hard to find.

Just box them up and bring them to me for proper handling. Don't worry, I'm here to help!

;)
Click to expand...

Can you shoot +P in them? ;)
 
Hey Tom

I told you these guys would know. :rolleyes: Looks like you scored on this one! ;)
 
colt_saa said:
Usually but not always

Back in the late 70s/early 80s almost every gunsmith was doing conversions like this.

Behlert and Jovino are probably the best known of that era. C&S and Mag-Na-Port also did them. Then every small shop copied the bigger guys. Here is my Behlert. The person that had it done specifically asked for no markings.

...

A S&W letter might get lucky with a name. However many folks bought the revolvers and then sent them off to be converted.
Click to expand...

I agree with this completely. Lots of guys did them. Most are unmarked. Behlert and Jovino being the best known.

This topic comes up here rather frequently, there are many similar guns out there. They vary in the quality of the job done and feature set.

Retired W4 - you don't mention it, but your gun appears to have been "round butted". A Model 25 is a square butt gun. Round butting was a typical feature to this type of gun. When you go looking for new grips, you will probably need K-frame round butt grips. I have been told that back in the day, Brownells sold a jig made for the purpose of round butting an Square N-Frame into a Round K and that any reasonably competent gunsmith could do the job.

The grips on your gun are the same as every "known" Jovino I have ever seen. I bet you will find they are K-Rounds.

Your gun is a very nice example of this style of modification. Bet it shoots really well.

3" N-frame holsters are not hard to find. I seem to have accumulated a box full of them...

Model 1917s were also know to get this treatment. Here is a link to mine, most folks have seen it already, so no need to clutter your thread - Heavily Modified 1917
 
It does have a round butt as well. The Pachmayrs are K-frame RB as you mentioned. I happen to have a Lobo belt holster I had made for my 310 NG and the 25 fits perfectly.
 
Retired W4,

My Jovino is nickel. I only know of one other nickel one. Most of his are blue. I have no reason to question that the grips on mine were put on it by Jovino.

Bob
 
Sorry to be late to the party, don't know how I missed this thread.
The OP's gun is the spittin' image of my Behlert 25-2, the only obvious difference being his front sight blade is black and mine is hard chromed. I have a few Behlert guns and not all were signed, revolvers in particular, and from what I've seen most Jovino chopped guns weren't signed either, the exception being the 3" "Effector" guns. Also, I've never seen a hard chromed Jovino gun, just blue and nickel. Behlert apparently favored hard chroming, as well as Mag-na-porting and some bling - you'll see some of his guns with jeweled hammers and triggers.

One thing aou the N-frames that have been converted to K-frame round butt size, the tops of the K/L frame grips almost never fit right due to the frame size above the grip frame. The Pachmayr Compacs fit about the best. My gun came with a set of custom wood grips that fit quite well but I prefer the Pachmayrs for shooting.

As far as value, I'd guess you could $1500 or so on gunbroker, maybe more, these guns are quite desireable.

Here's a couple of pics of mine, the resemblance is uncanny!
SDC11831.JPG

SDC11833.JPG
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
.22 CM repair who to send it to
Replies
21
Views
833
Bald1
Bald1
4
What's with this 25-2 4"?
Replies
13
Views
1K
steelslaver
steelslaver
GaryinOKC
25-2 Jovino
Replies
9
Views
982
GaryinOKC
GaryinOKC
The Last Standing Knight
People who work in private security.
Replies
15
Views
791
Bo Rich
B
R
Nickel 19-4 1978/79, Unfired since factory? What say you?
Replies
12
Views
808
22hipower
22hipower

Latest posts

Back
Top