My 25-2 lettered as a Jovino

[66f100]

Got it from GB about 3 months ago. The auction said "Model 25-2 Lew Horton 1 of 100". Every one is looking for one of those but no one has ever seen one. So I looked closely at the pic's & I knew it's not a Lew Horton. No markings on the barrel. But it looks like a Jovino . So I bid on it six days till end of auction. I put a bid of $600 on it and waited. Last hour somebody starts bidding, As he bids I bid, got past $800, I bid once more and said thats it. At this point I'm not sure what I'm bidding on. I won the auction. So when I received it it looked like a Jovino but who knows unless you have it lettered. Anyway, I get back to the seller and explained why I knew it's not a Lew Horton: No markings on barrel etc. He says "Let s cut to the chase, How much you want to give me for it?" I said $600 I think is fair. He says OK . Even if it was't a Jovino it's a cool gun in really good shape. I'd say 98%. So at first I think it is not a Jovino, The workmenship is a little off. First I see the barrel crown is not that great, the ball lockup is not that tight, so am thinking some other smith did the work. I brought it to a local smith to fix the crane lockup & he added another to the top of the crane, locks up like a vault now. I was't going to letter it thinking it's not a Jovino & I can always believe it is, but I had to know. So I got the letter today & to my surprise it is a Jovino. Best action of all my smiths & shoots great too. So to all you guys who think yours is'n a jovino because of some not so good smithing, you never know, I guess even the Jovino's shop had their bad days too, just like S&W.

 

[NOTREDAME]

Great looking gun, something about those chopped 25-2's.
I was one of the guys bidding on it, unfortunately, if I remember correctly that bid was up in the middle of the day. I was working in a manufacturing plant and lost my wireless signal to my laptop and could not bid any more.

I have a couple of chopped 25's, I think your going to like it a lot.

 

[revho]

That is absolutely beautiful. I think you did better than great on the deal. Congratulations on the purchase.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Nice looking Jovino...you done good!

 

[66f100]

Thanks guys, I do like this one alot. She's a keeper

 

[CWH44300]

That is a sweet little sixgun, Congrats

 

[WC145]

Nice catch! I wouldn't sweat the crane ball detent, my Behlert 25-2 had a similar issue. I sent it to Pinnacle and Mark fixed the loose one and put another in the top of the crane like yours.

What grips are those? They fit great. I have a hard time with grips on mine because the grip frame is k-round butt. N frame grips are too big on the lower part of the grip frame and K/L are to small at the top. My Mag-na-port 29 is the same way.

 

[TAKJR]

I you were to consider customizing a gun today to the level of the gun you have now (minus the small issues you mentioned) you can sit back and say......I DID REAL GOOD!

TAKJR

 

[66f100]

WC145 those grips are Ahrends, I got them from Brownells $60. Had to fit them abit, I think you would have to fit any wood grip to a modified butt

 

[bettis1]

66f100,

Congratulations on finding a great gun. I think you will love your Jovino.

Here is one that also shipped in December, 1983 and one of only a couple that I know of in nickel. If you note the contour of the barrel lug and the hammer spur, those characteristics are pretty distinctive for Jovino and should help you identify others if you see them. Note also that the ball lock-up on mine is different from yours and mine locks up like the preverbal vault. It is my favorite carry large bore revolver.

Bob

PS. On re-reading your post I think that the ball detent that I see on the yoke may be the one that your gunsmith added. Did you try having him replace the spring on the original one?
B.

 

[BobR1]

Years ago I was in Ozark Shooters Supply when it was located in Springfield Missouri. They had a Lew Horton 25-2 in the display case. I couldn't swing buying it at the time. Now I wish I had that to do over. I would have figured something out.
I had a Lew Horton 24 at one time and traded it to a collector buddy of mine. I wish I had that one back also.

Bob

 

[da gimp]

both are dern pretty pistols......... now I'm lusting for one.....

 

[66f100]

Bob when you closed my cylinder it did'nt close all the way. my smith had to move the detent over a bit. he filled in the old detent & added the one on top. it locks up so tight now I have to wack the cylinder to open it. I also had him chamfer the cylinder

 

[66f100]

Years ago I was in Ozark Shooters Supply when it was located in Springfield Missouri. They had a Lew Horton 25-2 in the display case. I couldn't swing buying it at the time. Now I wish I had that to do over. I would have figured something out.
I had a Lew Horton 24 at one time and traded it to a collector buddy of mine. I wish I had that one back also.

Bob

Bob do you remember how long the barrel was.