M25-2 4" .45ACP ---- Corrected letter arrived!

[Fessor]

I just took possession of a 25-2 I won on a recent online auction. It looked right on the site pictures so I thought it was worth a chance. I asked the auction house several salient questions and decided it was worth the risk.
Original finish, centered barrel stamping, combat (smooth) trigger and hammer with all CC color, unturned screws and other characteristics that I look for and hasn't been shot much.
I think I should letter this one.

 

[71vette]

Very nice.

 

[Auburn4]

Have you checked your barrel length? The pictures look like it maybe shorter. JMHO. I would letter it. EXCELLENT PURCHASE!!

 

[Fessor]

Yes. It is indeed 4".

 

[CH4]

Did they do a 4" 25-2. Front sight looks odd. Clipped on both ends to center the roll marks? Picture of the muzzle.

 

[Fessor]

Clipping on the forcing cone end would move the ejector rod shroud back and raise many issues.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I think I should letter this one.

I agree. Nice revolver and thank you for sharing.

 

[alwslate]

Interesting. As mentioned above the front sight ramp looks odd and appears to be a separate part that is pinned in place.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Nice! I've never seen a 4" 25-2.

 

[StrawHat]

I am aware of one 4" Model 25 45 ACP revolver. And it started life as a Model 1950. Perhaps the owner will post on this thread.

Yours is a nice revolver. The stamping hints it may be factory. I hope you letter it to find out. And please share what you find.

I took the liberty of flipping your images.

Kevin

 

[Nightowl]

That is a very nice, unusual gun! Just from my experience, Smith never catalogued a 4 inch 25-2. It is pinned, so earlier than around 1980-82, front sights were forged integral to the barrel back then. So, it appears to me to be a special order, special made, or a cut barrel by a real expert!

It's a gun Smith probably should have made! Very nice find and it should give you many hours of pleasure.

 

[StrawHat]

Can you post an image of the muzzle of the revolver?

Kevin

 

[rkeniston]

What's the difference?

Nice piece, handy size. I have the 6" version, also Model 1955. I'm wondering what's different between the Model 1950 and ours? Anyone?

 

[steelslaver]

The model 1950s have a lighter tapered barrel.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very interesting! The SCSW 4th Ed. doesn't mention any 25-2s with a 4" bbl., only 6-1/2" and later a 6". The 6-1/2" bbl. had a Patridge front sight, but later most Model 25s had red ramp inserts. However they do talk about a few 4" bbl. revolvers in .45 Colt, but those were later and had red ramp inserts, too. My 25-2 with 6-1/2" bbl. (N139297, 1973, .45 ACP) has the Patridge. Hmmm, may take a letter to solve this mystery.

 

[Fessor]

25-2 muzzle

Here is the requested pic.

 

[rkeniston]

The model 1950s have a lighter tapered barrel.

Thanks. That's all? Wonder if they had problems with it wandering or something.

 

[Model19man]

Here is the requested pic.

Looks right. I think it deserves a letter.

 

[Doug M.]

Thanks. That's all? Wonder if they had problems with it wandering or something.

*
My understanding is that the really hardcore target shooters of the time wanted the heavier barrel for a perceived improvement. I doubt that most of us mere mortals would shoot one format better than the other and that any difference is within the variation of individual firearms.

My guess as to the OP's revolver is that it was a special order or returned for work. It looks ... righteous to me. The 4" 45 ACP revolver as sometimes written about as a duty weapon back in the day, and I am sure some folks customized the for such use. I have a 4" 629 that was converted by Bowen.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I think I should letter this one.

Most definitely!