Smith and wesson value question *PICS ADDED*

[kooz]

Was hoping that some of you S&W experts could share your thoughts on this . I have an opportunity to buy a 25-5 5" tapered bbl .45 Colt . No box or original grips , and a lanyard loop has been added to the bottom of the gripframe . Gun is in great condition , .003 bbl cyl gap and .452 throats all the way around , excellent blueing .Comes with S&W letter . Looks to have been hardly shot at all if any. Normally I would think around $1200 maybe ? but didn't know how big a deal the 5" tapered bbl was value wise . Thanks

[sixguntech]

It sounds much more like a S&W 26-1. There was a small run of these (800?) for the Georgia State Patrol, as a commemorative. If the gun you are looking at, is not “engraved” as a commemorative, it would be a very rare, over run of that series. I believe somewhere around (37?) were made, that did not have the engraving. The lanyard was from the factory. I have only ever seen one of these come up for sale, I do not recall the price, but it was high!lol Not having the original stocks, box or paperwork really cuts its value to collectors, however it seems to have all the “ingredients” to be a great shooter and rare, very rare. To my way of thinking, $1200 would be a great deal for that gun, if you don’t buy it, you can point me in its direction! Steve

[sixguntech]

This would be the commemorative version www.gunbroker.com/item/1007931296

[45MAN]

THE "tapered barrel" HAD ME PUZZLED, NOW I KNOW.

[kooz]

Thanks for the replies , I am not super knowledgeable on all the different S&W models. This one is marked 25-5 and was made in either 2004 or 2005 , I cant remember exactly what the letter said . I will try and get a picture of the letter .

[sixguntech]

Nov 11, 2023 10:26:00 GMT -5 kooz said:

Thanks for the replies , I am not super knowledgeable on all the different S&W models. This one is marked 25-5 and was made in either 2004 or 2005 , I cant remember exactly what the letter said . I will try and get a picture of the letter .

I am a long way from being any kind of expert, but there were no 25-5 made in that time frame, 25-5 was not built after the mid to late 80’s. By 2001, S&W was already into the 25-10 and 25-11 series. I would have to look at when the 25-13 came about but probably around that time frame? I have seen a couple Heritage Series revolvers with their barrels shortened to around 5”, and they did have the tapered barrels. Hmm, I am a bit puzzled now? Let me know what you find out, very curious indeed? Steve

[kooz]

Yup, good catch on the years of manufacture for 25-5 , I should have put that together . I bought a new 25-13 about 20years ago . Now I am more curious than ever to figure this out . I will get over there on Monday and get some pictures of the letter , original sales reciept and the model number stamp on the gun and post the pics Monday .

[kooz]

Well, I have read the letter but am still lost . This is a 1955 target model that was originally built in 1999 ?

[kooz]

[sixguntech]

Ok, I believe this is a “kit gun”, it was put together from remaining parts, probably from the Georgia State Patrol run. I have heard that this is how some of the over runs were put together. Some of the Model 26’s used remaining Model 25 frames. I remember a gentlemen on the S&W forum stating his gun came labeled as a “Kit Gun”. Maybe post this up on the Smith forum. The lanyard and 5” barrel along with the 25-5 frame have me thinking this. If you don’t mind me asking, what is the asking price on this gun? Thanks, Steve

[kooz]

A friend of mine owns a gunshop, this gun came in to be consigned, I told him I would buy it if we could agree on a price, but the fact is neither one of us know exactly what it is . I like you believe it to be a parts gun as surely no .45 built in the factory in 1999 would be a 25-5 ? would have to be a -9 or 11 by then ? dimensionally the gun is spot on , throats, bbl/cyl gap and it is in very nice condition other than the box and grips missing and probably the lanyard not being original as it was not specified in the letter .

[sixguntech]

I believe the Gun was “built” years earlier. S&W ship dates are not necessarily indicative of build date, many guns S&W’s of the past were shipped well after they were built. Possible this one was set aside for someone or simply misplaced, forgotten about etc. But the end date of Model 25-5 is well known and coincides with the Model 26-1 limited run dates of manufacture. Either way, that is a RARE gun. I would not hesitate to buy it as a shooter. Tell the guy you can buy a “brand new” Model 25-15 with improvements for around $1000 and have the box, papers and a less “sketchy” history!lol Good luck on that purchase, I am a bit envious right now! Steve

[sixguntech]

You are correct on the lanyard as it does not match the ones on the Georgia State Patrol guns…..Iwill have to look to see if it matches those found on the early 2000’s Heritage 45 ACP revolvers. Steve

Just checked, does not match Heritage guns either.

[kooz]

Thanks for your help on this , going to try and make an offer today .

[sixguntech]

Good luck Sir!