Model 25-2 Holy Grail

[SealBeachScotty]

My mysterious Model 25-2 .44 Magnum

I have a mystery that I hope someone can shed some light on....
My father recently gave me a Model 25-2 but it is a .44 Magnum.
I have searched online and I cannot find any information about it. The serial number is N62819. It can't be a model 25 or 29 because all the pictures I have seen the trademark side (right) of the gun there are 3 screws and mine only has two located near the trigger and none up by the hammer and rear sight.
Can anyone explain this?

 

[highpower3006]

The third screw is under the stocks. If it is marked 25-2 under the crane, it is either a factory mis-stamped gun or a conversion of a standard M25. Is the barrel stamped .44 Magnum? Pictures would help.......

 

[Art Doc]

With so many models being made on the same frame it was unavoidable that some would get stamped with the wrong model number. I happens quite frequently. The overwhelming odds are your gun is a 29-2 that mistakenly stamped as a 25-2. They are so common, most people ignore the mistake as far as value goes.

 

[SealBeachScotty]

My mysterious Model 25-2 .44 Magnum

I hope these photos will help. Thank you for the quick reply.

 

[Cpo1944]

Mr. j37p, You might want to hold onto the Colt, and consider buying a newer 625 . I have a 625-8 5 inch .45ACP and it is my family`s favorite revolver it requires no fancy aiming , just point shoot and hit the target.ITs scary accurate,Plus it only cost $600 used at Gander Mt.

 

[Virtue]

Help!

So after reviewing every thread I can find, and the NRA GBB of values; I'm having a hard time identifying this revolver. This appears to be a good thread to ask!

The revolver is stamped N845883 on the frame and butt along with 25-2 and has the trigger guard screw

The crane is stamped 88716 - with a larger "c4" also on the crane

The barrel is 4" and stamped "45 CAL. MODEL 1955

I'm no revolver expert, but my understanding is the targets were only made in 6-61/2 inch barrels?

Any advice on what's going on here would be appreciated!

 

[flundertaker]

So after reviewing every thread I can find, and the NRA GBB of values; I'm having a hard time identifying this revolver. This appears to be a good thread to ask!

The revolver is stamped N845883 on the frame and butt along with 25-2 and has the trigger guard screw

The crane is stamped 88716 - with a larger "c4" also on the crane

The barrel is 4" and stamped "45 CAL. MODEL 1955

I'm no revolver expert, but my understanding is the targets were only made in 6-61/2 inch barrels?

Any advice on what's going on here would be appreciated!

Based on the positioning of the barrel markings I would bet the 6.5" barrel was cut back to about 4". Is the muzzle crowned? Any evidence of the front sight being reattached?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

 

[Art Doc]

That's a late production 25-2 that has had its barrel cut to 4" along the way. Not so mysterious at all. The barrel stampings being so close to the muzzle are an immediate tip off. They should be more centered on the barrel and they were until it was shortened.

 

[RubEric]

My .45 LC

 

[flundertaker]

My .45 LC

Very Nice.
I believe it was engraved with either a football recessed or non-relieved set of stocks in mind

 

[weatherby]

hi
there were 9 model 25,s made on a special order. and only one that has been documented on the 3 screw frame -2 and I have it with its factory letter. it shipped in 1960 and the factory charged 10.00 to have the barrel cut.

Two

 

[Virtue]

That's a late production 25-2 that has had its barrel cut to 4" along the way. Not so mysterious at all. The barrel stampings being so close to the muzzle are an immediate tip off. They should be more centered on the barrel and they were until it was shortened.

That would make sense. So its not one of the 9 that S&W did from the factory.

What I find interesting is that the end of the barrel isn't a straight cut, it looks like my other S&W's. Slightly convex around the circumference of the barrel with the top of the barrel (flat portion) set back just slightly. if it isn't factory, its damn good work IMO.

Allow me to ask a couple questions?
Does this demand the same premium as a 6-6.5 model 1955 target?
Is it worth more because of the pinned barrel, and trigger guard screw still present (meaning prior to 1957?)
What would you value it at?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Dave T]

I wanted one of these too (a 5" 45 ACP blue steel N-frame). Since they never made them as a regular production model I found a non-collector grade pre-25 and had this made:



Much as I like it if someone offered me $1200 for it I'd have to give it some consideration. (smile)

Dave

 

[RubEric]

My Model 25-2, .45 ACP, TH, TT, Smooth TG, special order bright blue finish.

 

[jtcarm]

I don't like the trade unless the 5" M-25-2 is lettered as a 5" gun.

I agree.

I see a more lucrative market for the Colt, and that one looks to be in great condition. .38 special is the round of choice for CAS, and I bet there's a bunch of CAS shooters out there who want the Real McCoy, probably even a few with 2nd-Gen .38 specials who would kill to find a mate.

Besides that, I don't think there were a whole lot of SAAs made in .38 special, were there?

Book value is just that. Street value is what counts.

Oh boy, I just replied to a 2.5 year-old post. I really gotta start reading the dates!

 

[mbliss57]

Does anyone realize this thread is 2 1/2 years old...just saying..

 

[Dave T]

Does anyone realize this thread is 2 1/2 years old...just saying..

Should I delete my contribution?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Dave

 

[moralem]

I would like to date a 25-2 N378668 and ask if these had the throat issues like the 25-5?

 

[Art Doc]

The 25-5 is found with over size throats. That serial is around 1977.

 

[jimmyj]

To the best of my knowledge no 5" 25-2s were made. If you saw one it was either modified from original or was a special order. S&W would do special orders back in the day but they are very rare and very valuable.

PS: A 5" barrel is not rare on all S&W revolvers. This was a standard barrel length on numerous models. Just not the Model 25.

WOW! I am relieved as I thought that Model 25-2 (my very favorite Model) came only with six and one half inch barrels and I didn't know about factory five inch barrels.

 

[moralem]

The 25-5 is found with over size throats. That serial is around 1977.

Thanks for the date and clarification. I think I will follow up on the the gun. It is on my accumulation list and at what I think is a reasonable asking price of 800 bucks.

 

[sodacan]

If I had a factory original 5" inch 25-2 from the 60's that you wanted, that SAA would barely scratch the surface as trade bait. I'm pretty sure there was no such animal.

 

[Doc44]

In the post-war era (1950 and later), the N-frame models cataloged with a 5-inch barrel were the 38/44 Heavy Duty and the 44 Military Model of 1950. However, the only N-frame model with adjustable sights cataloged with a 5-inch barrel was the "357" Magnum. The 44 Magnum had 300-400 made with a 5-inch barrel and the 1950/1955 Targets a very few.

Bill