It Lettered!! 25 snubby, Gun show find: Jovino? (Post #27)

[bettis1]

quinn,

Yep, I'd bet a bunch that the modifications are Jovino's. All things point to it. You will look long and hard to find a better large bore carry revolver. I'm always on the look out for them. Was the seller aware of what it was?

Sounds like I need to take a trip down to SA if there are RM's, Jovino's, and APD HD's floating around down there.

I spent yesterday at the Dallas show but I was tied up with a display so I didn't get to look too much and didn't find anything that called out to me.
Bob

 

[MikeyB]

That is nice! Great find!

 

[hotrod150]

I seem to recall seeing an ad in Shotgun News years ago for an "Effector" which was a snubby n-frame. I think it was a 45 Colt model 25-5 but not sure. A special run for one of the big distributors.

 

[bettis1]

Some, but not all, of the Jovino modified guns were marked "Effector".

Bob

 

[WC145]

The Effector guns had slightly longer barrels and kept the full length ejector rod. They were all N frames and made in any caliber you wanted, though most of the ones I've seen were .44 and .41 mags. Never heard anything about them being made for a distributor.

 

[bettis1]

Here is one of the few nickel "Jovino" guns that I know of. It is unmarked but shipped to John Jovino from the Factory. Looks a lot like yours, except for the finish.

Bob

 

[quinn]

Letter came today. Did in fact get shipped to John Jovino, NY, in June, 1982.

Makes me wonder if Jovino did many 25's in 45 Colt... Anyone have any idea? Or how late the Jovino company were doing these mods?

In studying this critter I have noticed that the K/L RB grips profile the frame very well but that the alignment pin at the bottom of the grip frame is slightly lower. The grips that came with the gun have another hole drilled into the grip about 1/4" lower than the original hole/recess. I guess if I want to put combats on it like Bob's (Bettis!) above that I'll need to drill into the grips.

 

[bettis1]

Good report, Randy. I would have bet the farm that your's was also a Jovino custom. Just too many identifying characteristics not to be one.

I would love to stumble onto a .45 Colt Jovino but in the mean time, the nickel .45 ACP with moons brings a smile to my face every time I handle it.

Bob

 

[SAFireman]

Letter came today. Did in fact get shipped to John Jovino, NY, in June, 1982.

Makes me wonder if Jovino did many 25's in 45 Colt... Anyone have any idea? Or how late the Jovino company were doing these mods?

In studying this critter I have noticed that the K/L RB grips profile the frame very well but that the alignment pin at the bottom of the grip frame is slightly lower. The grips that came with the gun have another hole drilled into the grip about 1/4" lower than the original hole/recess. I guess if I want to put combats on it like Bob's (Bettis!) above that I'll need to drill into the grips.

Those Factory Combat grips are getting really pricey to be drilling extra holes in....

Now all you need is to find some good 45 Colt dies and start reloading

I would bet that a 45 Colt 245gr SWCHP @ 1000 FPS will rehabilitate any wayward goblins

 

[Jaymo]

Mein Gott! That's a nice N frame. All kinds of N frame goodness in that package.
I can't believe someone would sell it.
I find more nice Smiths these days, that have been sold/traded to an FFL in order to purchase a Guh, guh, guh, guh, Glock. (retches)
I don't get it. Trade/sell a gorgeous, accurate, reliable revolver of extremely high quality, for Combat Tupperware that is ugly as a monkey's butt. Uglier than Eleanor Roosevelt and Susan B Anthony, combined.
I'd rather smoke feces in Hell, than to own a gun as damned ugly as a Block.

Anyhoo, if that was my 25 snubby, I'd be buried with it.