I have a Smith&Wesson 25-2 in 45acp #N3381xx that has a 6.5" tapered slim barrel marked "45 CAL. MODEL 1950" and the bluing on the barrel does not quite match the rest of the gun, it's more of a plum color. The gun does not apear to be re-finnished and the color differance is not huge but it's there. I bought the gun for a good deal because the dealer(and I) thought it was a put together parts gun, but it's in really nice shape and I read on this forum awhile ago that S&W sold some model 25's with 1950 barrels factory. but I can't find that information. I have also heard that some S&W revolvers had the bluing on the barrels turn a plum color with age when the frames did not. So..... does anyone know the facts or do I indeed have a re-barreled gun?
25-2 Smith & Wesson history question
- Thread starter oldcars
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bluetopper
New member
No, in all likelyhood you do not have a rebarreled gun. I would bet a high price on it if someone would take me up on it.
The information you stated is true.
The information you stated is true.
As I understand it there were some 25-2s mis-marked with the "Model of 1950" roll mark but they had the straight barrel of the 25-2, not the tapered barrel. If you's has a tapered barrel, which should be marked Model of 1950, then as other's have said it probably is a re-barrel.
I have a M24-3 with a non-standard 5" barrel that is quite obviously plumb colored and doesn't match the rest of the gun at all. Since I got it as a shooter I don't mind but I'm sure it didn't leave the factory that way.
Dave
I have a M24-3 with a non-standard 5" barrel that is quite obviously plumb colored and doesn't match the rest of the gun at all. Since I got it as a shooter I don't mind but I'm sure it didn't leave the factory that way.
Dave
Sounds like an "as issued" gun. S&W did make a mistake and put "Model of 1950" on some of them. You might post this question over on the S&W forum as the same questions come up time and again and there is a solid base of information. When in doubt check The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, third edition (a book) which is available at most book stores.
The M25-2 Target Model of 1955 has a heavy (bull) barrel similar to the M57 and M29. If your gun has a tapered barrel, it has been rebarrelled. The barrel you mention is either from a M26 or Pre-M26 Target Model of 1950.
Again, if your gun has the model number 25-2 stamped in the yoke area but has a tapered barrel roll marked Target Model of 1950, it has been rebarrelled.
Bruce
P.S. The mismarked guns referred to by a previous poster had the correct heavy barrel but the barrel rollmark said Target Model of 1950.
Again, if your gun has the model number 25-2 stamped in the yoke area but has a tapered barrel roll marked Target Model of 1950, it has been rebarrelled.
Bruce
P.S. The mismarked guns referred to by a previous poster had the correct heavy barrel but the barrel rollmark said Target Model of 1950.
The particulars of the models and barrels have been adressed already, I'll just say I have, and have seen, several Smiths that the barrels were a slightly different shade, tending toward a plum. I know mine are original, and believe a couple of others are as well. It may be a different alloy in the barrels, or they may be blued separately.
The M25-2 uses a barrel with a long forcing cone in order to accommodate the short cylinder in the standard size N-Frame frame window. A M25-5 barrel will not work. 1950 and 1955 Target 4" barrels were EXTREMELY rare so you're left with cutting down a barrel (custom work) or having a 4" barrel made from a blank (custom work). I guess it them depends on how many $'s you want to pound into the gun which, in all likely-hood, you won't realize a return on if you sell in the future.
Bruce
Bruce
Fishslayer
New member
The Model of 1950 Target had a 6.5" tapered barrel. The Model of 1955 went to a heavier barrel.
They only made 2,768 M1950's. Everybody I know that has one agrees that they are very finicky about their chow due to oversized cylinder throats. I understand the tapered barrel was also not popular with target shooters of the day. Hence the change in 1955. I doubt that anybody would have rebarreled a 25-2 with one and I doubt the factory would have done so unless specified.
OTOH the tapered barrel balances really nicely, IMO.
The -2 change was 1961. I would also think that S&W would have used up all their tapered barrels by then.
You could always send S&W $50 for a letter from Mr. Jinks.
Oh... it took awhile but I finally found something my M1950 likes..
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They only made 2,768 M1950's. Everybody I know that has one agrees that they are very finicky about their chow due to oversized cylinder throats. I understand the tapered barrel was also not popular with target shooters of the day. Hence the change in 1955. I doubt that anybody would have rebarreled a 25-2 with one and I doubt the factory would have done so unless specified.
OTOH the tapered barrel balances really nicely, IMO.
The -2 change was 1961. I would also think that S&W would have used up all their tapered barrels by then.
You could always send S&W $50 for a letter from Mr. Jinks.
Oh... it took awhile but I finally found something my M1950 likes..
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