25-5 With Unusual Features

[Retired W4]

I recently picked up this 6" 25-5, SN prefix AJD (~1986). The condition is excellent and appears to be unfired outside the factory. What really strikes me is the extra lock-up ball and detent in the yoke, reminiscent of that used by Jovino, and others when they shorten the barrels. The other unusual feature, of guns of this vintage, is the gold bead Patridge front sight (actually, I think it's brass). Other than those two things it looks like a normal 45 Colt 25-5. I'm thinking it is a special order gun. Any thoughts on this? I just might need a letter for this one.

 

[Bald1]

I’d guess it’s just a customized gun. But it’s pretty cool in any event. Maybe someone will know something.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Looks like quality aftermarket work to me. Nice improvements.

 

[Retired W4]

The sun is down so I have no good light to show the whole gun. Tomorrow.

Oh yea, I forgot to mention, the action feels like an early Python. Extremely smooth.

 

[Retired W4]

The Patridge sight blade is dovetailed into the base.

 

[TheTinMan]

My 25-10 has a ball detent on the front surface of the crane:

It snaps into this notch on the ejector housing:

This is a limited edition Smith & Wesson from the Performance Center in 2001. There were a couple of high end gunsmiths who installed ball detents like yours but I can’t remember who off the top of my head. Very nice revolver IMHO.

 

[Retired W4]

I was reading about that 25-10 last night. Those also had a gold bead on a Patridge front sight. The main difference between your 25-10 and my custom 25-5 is the PC 25-10 has the floating firing pin with a 4 screw frame. I'm just waiting for the sun to come up.

 

[Retired W4]

I'm now convinced this custom work was done after leaving the factory. One other item that caught my eye is the ratchet on the extractor star was blued. The inside of the right stock panel is stamped Sep 6 1986 which is consistent with the serial number on the gun. I'm also showing how the front sight blade is attached. I believe the factory pinned the blade.

Whoever did the work was definitely a master gunsmith.

 

[M29since14]

Looks like very nice work. If you ever learn who did it, it would be interesting to me. Thanks for showing us the pictures.

 

[Retired W4]

Looks like very nice work. If you ever learn who did it, it would be interesting to me. Thanks for showing us the pictures.

I will submit a letter request in the hope it will give me a hint as to who did the work. That is the roll of the dice but you never know until the letter arrives. Of course I will post the letter when it gets here.

 

[ColbyBruce]

OP, if that S&W was from metro Atlanta I would think the work could possibly be that of Jim Stroh, Alpha Precision. His action work was amazing.

 

[steelslaver]

Not many rounds out of that one. Nice 45 Colt

The ball detent like in the OP pictures is fairly easy to install if you get the kit. Comes with balls, springs, drill and special stake tool. You should use a drill press with a vise to drill the hole. You also need a Dremel with a small carbide ball burr to make the pocket. Put some Prussian blue on the frame and close the yoke with the ball installed and it will make a line in the blue and the very end of the line is where the pocket needs to be

Milling the front blade off would also be easy, cutting the dovetail in the ramp and making a blade from a block of steel not to hard. Getting them to fit together just right is the hard part.

 

[bananaman]

I'm now convinced this custom work was done after leaving the factory. One other item that caught my eye is the ratchet on the extractor star was blued. The inside of the right stock panel is stamped Sep 6 1986 which is consistent with the serial number on the gun. I'm also showing how the front sight blade is attached. I believe the factory pinned the blade.

Whoever did the work was definitely a master gunsmith.

Very nice gun! For what it matters I LIKE IT!!! Bob

 

[Retired W4]

OP, if that S&W was from metro Atlanta I would think the work could possibly be that of Jim Stroh, Alpha Precision. His action work was amazing.

It did come out of a Georgia auction house but Trey Cottle, the owner does travel around the country picking up guns for sale. The quality of the work does suggest someone of Jim Stroh's abilities was involved.

Trey came by the show last weekend but only stopped by long enough to say hi. I'm not sure he would tell me where the gun came from. I'll ask the next time I see him. I'll stomp on his toe for you while I'm at it.

 

[TheTinMan]

I'm now convinced this custom work was done after leaving the factory. One other item that caught my eye is the ratchet on the extractor star was blued. The inside of the right stock panel is stamped Sep 6 1986 which is consistent with the serial number on the gun. I'm also showing how the front sight blade is attached. I believe the factory pinned the blade.

Whoever did the work was definitely a master gunsmith.

Thank you for sharing those pics. That is beautiful work.

 

[jaymoore]

OP, if that S&W was from metro Atlanta I would think the work could possibly be that of Jim Stroh, Alpha Precision. His action work was amazing.

There were at least couple of other 'smiths in the area who were capable of such work in the '70s through '90s era. I had Rusty Kidd do some work for me from time to time, including a couple of Patridge front sights. He also did such ball locks. Possibly one for me on a Model 58. I think I ran into Jim Stroh more often at the local True Value hardware store than anywhere else.

Hmm.... Ed Pitt, Ken Lundquist, Lou Clark, and more in the "N Atlanta" area were all fine craftsmen. And there was another very competent local fellow whose name escapes me. Usually had his children with him....

 

[Retired W4]

There were at least couple of other 'smiths in the area who were capable of such work in the '70s through '90s era. I had Rusty Kidd do some work for me from time to time, including a couple of Patridge front sights. He also did such ball locks. Possibly one for me on a Model 58. I think I ran into Jim Stroh more often at the local True Value hardware store than anywhere else.

Hmm.... Ed Pitt, Ken Lundquist, Lou Clark, and more in the "N Atlanta" area were all fine craftsmen. And there was another very competent local fellow whose name escapes me. Usually had his children with him....

Rusty is still around. Ken retired several years ago, unfortunately, and I don't know what happened with him. I really enjoyed talking with Ken at Tucker Gun.

 

[Marshal Tom]

That is sweet Tom. I will have one in a 4" please!

 

[SS336]

Very nice custom touches on that M25-5. Subtle class, beautiful.