S&W 25-2 4 inch barrel

[jay73]

Wanted to post this acquisition of mine, Model 25-2 with a few interesting features.

SN Is S196195 and is a three screw frame. The barrel measures 3 5/8". Barrel markings are centered. I don't think its possible to have cut this from a 6.5" barrel.

There is a date code 5 80 stamped on the frame along with a factory refinish stamp.

I'm assuming for now the barrel was added at the factory at this time also. I thought I read somewhere here that the factory service records are not available at this time. It would be nice to know where this barrel came from.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Inside the crane does it say 25-2 or 26?

The experts will be here but that sounds like a Model 26.

 

[22hipower]

I certainly like it and it and the barrel looks like factory work to me. I'm not sure that a letter is going to tell you how it came to be but I'd spend the money for one anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very interesting 3-screw N-frame revolver, and a puzzle. I assume from your post that the revolver is marked "Model 25-2" in the yolk/crane. Your s/n (S 196195) dates to ~1959, but the 25-2 wasn't released until 1961 when the trigger guard screw was eliminated. Perhaps the frame sat around S&W for a while, but it should be a 4-screw. The 4" bbl. certainly looks like an original factory installation, and the stampings are correct for an early Model 25-2. Is your revolver .45 ACP or .45 Colt? According to SCSW, it could be an early 4" bbl .45 Colt revolver...which would bring a premium. Not sure why it would have gone back to the factory for rework in 1980. Hopefully some of our Forum gurus will be along shortly to help solve this mystery.

 

[jay73]

It is marked "MOD. 25-2 "

SN Is the same and only 2 locations (inside the yoke and butt of the frame).

Barrel is marked 45 cal. Model 1955.

I was also surprised that this was a 3 screw.

 

[StrawHat]

That is an interesting revolver and one I wish I had seen first!

The barrel stamp is nicely centered. Here is a shot of a 4.25" barrel, cut down from a 6 or 6.5" barrel.

Kevin

 

[Hair Trigger]

Inside the crane does it say 25-2 or 26?

The experts will be here but that sounds like a Model 26.

M26 had a tapered barrel and was marked ".45 CAL MODEL 1950". OP's is a heavy barrel. It's a 4" barrel, even if it measures 4-5/8", they can vary by almost 1/4" sometimes.

 

[StrawHat]

M26 had a tapered barrel and was marked ".45 CAL MODEL 1950". OP's is a heavy barrel. It's a 4" barrel, even if it measures 4-5/8", they can vary by almost 1/4" sometimes.

Yes, they can vary but this is a whole lot more than a miscut. Back then, you could also still order custom lengths. Not saying this is the case but…

Regardless, a nice revolver for those who think an ACP revolver is the ideal carry piece.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

Here is a visual of the difference between the Model 1950 and the Model 1955.

Model 1950 on the left.

Kevin

 

[bananaman]

Regardless, I would like to own like it no matter how it came to be! Enjoy it! Bob

 

[Doc44]

S&W's records show S196195 as being shipped in February 1961, but as a Model 29. The barrel on the 25-2 dates to 1973 or later as evidenced by the upright ampersand on the left side of the barrel. This may a replacement revolver for a Model 29 that was taken out of service and its serial number assigned to a custom built 25-2. Probably a S&W mystery that will never be solved.

S196915 was shipped in January 1961 as a Model 25 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel.

Perhaps this is the correct serial number?

Bill

 

[jay73]

S&W's records show S196195 as being shipped in February 1961, but as a Model 29. The barrel on the 25-2 dates to 1973 or later as evidenced by the upright ampersand on the left side of the barrel. This may a replacement revolver for a Model 29 that was taken out of service and its serial number assigned to a custom built 25-2. Probably a S&W mystery that will never be solved.

S196915 was shipped in January 1961 as a Model 25 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel.

Perhaps this is the correct serial number?

Bill

You are correct about the serial number.

Sorry for the mistake.

 

[Doc44]

That makes more sense. Perhaps the revolver is a replacement for a Model 25 that was taken out of service and given the earlier serial number. S&W did do that on occasion if requested or approved by the customer. Again, we will probably never know for certain.

Bill

 

[jay73]

That makes more sense. Perhaps the revolver is a replacement for a Model 25 that was taken out of service and given the earlier serial number. S&W did do that on occasion if requested or approved by the customer. Again, we will probably never know for certain.

Bill

Thank you Bill for the information.

 

[Photog]

One thing that no one has mentioned, but as I understand it, the 25-2 was available only with a 6.5" barrel, and then only a 6" barrel when that length was standardized. I know there were a few factory 4" 25-2 revolvers, but they seem to be in the under 10 produced realm. If that is a factory barrel, then I think the barrel makes this gun worth a lot more than a standard 25-2, even if it was rebarreled. Just an observation on my part.

 

[StrawHat]

One thing that no one has mentioned, but as I understand it, the 25-2 was available only with a 6.5" barrel, and then only a 6" barrel when that length was standardized. I know there were a few factory 4" 25-2 revolvers, but they seem to be in the under 10 produced realm. If that is a factory barrel, then I think the barrel makes this gun worth a lot more than a standard 25-2, even if it was rebarreled. Just an observation on my part.

Maybe, but this is not a 4" barrel. This barrel is nearly 3/8" shorter.

Kevin

 

[Nightowl]

That does not look like any standard front sight on models from that time frame, either. Shoot it, enjoy it! Tell tall tales afterward!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Yes, they can vary but this is a whole lot more than a miscut. Back then, you could also still order custom lengths. Not saying this is the case but…

Regardless, a nice revolver for those who think an ACP revolver is the ideal carry piece.

Kevin

Could be special order. It sure looks more like a 3-1/2" than it does a 4", the muzzle is starting to crowd the end of the extractor shroud. I like.

 

[StrawHat]

That does not look like any standard front sight on models from that time frame, either. Shoot it, enjoy it! Tell tall tales afterward!

It would be nice to see a better shot of that front sight.

Kevin

 

[jay73]

It would be nice to see a better shot of that front sight.

Kevin

Here's a few more pics with one next to a 6.5" 25-2 for comparison.