Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I have wanted a Model 25 chambered for 45 Colt on and off for a number of years. The 45 Colt chambering seems to be hard to come by, more seem to have been chambered for 45 ACP. I already have a Model 1955 Target the predecessor to the Model 25, chambered for 45 ACP, but I had been watching, on and off, for one chambered for 45 Colt.
I'm not buying many guns these days, actually going to be downsizing my collection a bit. Not going to auctions or stopping in local shops these days either. But for some reason I was looking on line at what was available at a local shop. They actually had two Model 25-3s in stock, both chambered for 45 Colt.
The Model 25 is a big, N frame revolver, most were chambered for 45ACP, only a few were chambered for 45 Colt. In 1977 S&W released the Model 25-3. This was the 125th Anniversary Commemorative and they were all chambered for 45 Colt.
I went to the shop, and the two were almost identical. One was wearing Magna grips and the rear sight blade was ever so slightly bent. The other was wearing big, smooth Oversized Target grips, and came with the mahogany presentation box. They were both priced the same, so I went with the one with the wooden box and unbent rear sight blade.
All the goodies were in the box, but there was a big empty hollow in the lid, with leather straps, and it was not until I got home that I realized this was for Roy Jinks' 125 anniversary book. I just happen to have a copy, so it fits nicely in the lid of the box. Dunno what was in the little circular hollow.
I'm really not much of a fan of Commemorative models with their fancy gold inlaid markings, but this is probably the only opportunity I will have to find a Model 25 chambered for 45 Colt.
The marking on the barrel simply says 45 CALIBER. No mention of whether or not it is 45 Colt or 45 ACP. In fact the original paperwork that came with the revolver called it out as 45ACP. I did not think to bring any 45 Colt snap caps or dummies with me, but we were able to drop a 45ACP round into the chambers and it fell all the way down, so I was pretty confident it really is a 45 Colt.
White outline rear sight.
I took out my 45ACP Model 1955 Target for a comparison photo with the Model 25. The 1955 Target is a little bit older, it left the factory in 1955. Yes, it is a five screw. Sorry for all the glare, no outside photos until the foot of snow on the deck melts.
Roy was not able to pinpoint exactly when this one left the factory, but I am saying 1977, because I think that is pretty much when they shipped. By the way, I think they are stretching the 125 Anniversary thing a little bit. 1852 was the date the 'First Partnership' between Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson was formed, when they were making what became known as the Volcanic models. It was not until 1857 that the 'Second Partnership' was formed that led to building Tip Up, Top Breaks, and Hand Ejectors. But I have seen photos of big celebrations of the '125th Anniversary' at S&W from 1977.
Gonna have to load up some Smokeless 45 Colt for this one, I don't think I am going to want to put any of my usual Black Powder 45 Colt ammo through it.
By the way, although I have lots of single action revolvers chambered for 45 Colt, I only have one other double action, a New Service from 1906.
I have wanted a Model 25 chambered for 45 Colt on and off for a number of years. The 45 Colt chambering seems to be hard to come by, more seem to have been chambered for 45 ACP. I already have a Model 1955 Target the predecessor to the Model 25, chambered for 45 ACP, but I had been watching, on and off, for one chambered for 45 Colt.
I'm not buying many guns these days, actually going to be downsizing my collection a bit. Not going to auctions or stopping in local shops these days either. But for some reason I was looking on line at what was available at a local shop. They actually had two Model 25-3s in stock, both chambered for 45 Colt.
The Model 25 is a big, N frame revolver, most were chambered for 45ACP, only a few were chambered for 45 Colt. In 1977 S&W released the Model 25-3. This was the 125th Anniversary Commemorative and they were all chambered for 45 Colt.
I went to the shop, and the two were almost identical. One was wearing Magna grips and the rear sight blade was ever so slightly bent. The other was wearing big, smooth Oversized Target grips, and came with the mahogany presentation box. They were both priced the same, so I went with the one with the wooden box and unbent rear sight blade.
All the goodies were in the box, but there was a big empty hollow in the lid, with leather straps, and it was not until I got home that I realized this was for Roy Jinks' 125 anniversary book. I just happen to have a copy, so it fits nicely in the lid of the box. Dunno what was in the little circular hollow.
I'm really not much of a fan of Commemorative models with their fancy gold inlaid markings, but this is probably the only opportunity I will have to find a Model 25 chambered for 45 Colt.
The marking on the barrel simply says 45 CALIBER. No mention of whether or not it is 45 Colt or 45 ACP. In fact the original paperwork that came with the revolver called it out as 45ACP. I did not think to bring any 45 Colt snap caps or dummies with me, but we were able to drop a 45ACP round into the chambers and it fell all the way down, so I was pretty confident it really is a 45 Colt.
White outline rear sight.
I took out my 45ACP Model 1955 Target for a comparison photo with the Model 25. The 1955 Target is a little bit older, it left the factory in 1955. Yes, it is a five screw. Sorry for all the glare, no outside photos until the foot of snow on the deck melts.
Roy was not able to pinpoint exactly when this one left the factory, but I am saying 1977, because I think that is pretty much when they shipped. By the way, I think they are stretching the 125 Anniversary thing a little bit. 1852 was the date the 'First Partnership' between Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson was formed, when they were making what became known as the Volcanic models. It was not until 1857 that the 'Second Partnership' was formed that led to building Tip Up, Top Breaks, and Hand Ejectors. But I have seen photos of big celebrations of the '125th Anniversary' at S&W from 1977.
Gonna have to load up some Smokeless 45 Colt for this one, I don't think I am going to want to put any of my usual Black Powder 45 Colt ammo through it.
By the way, although I have lots of single action revolvers chambered for 45 Colt, I only have one other double action, a New Service from 1906.
