Smith & Wesson S&W 25-3 125th Anniversary Commemorative .45 LC Revolver C&R

SOLD FOR: $1012.34

LSB#: 210330DP15

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: The S&W 125th Anniversary Commemorative 25-3, The 1955 .45 Target Heavy Barrel

Serial Number: S&W5446

Year of Manufacture: 1977, ATF C&R

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.45 CALIBER”, the right is marked “SMITH & WESSON / 125TH ANNIVERSARY”. The sideplate has the S&W 125th anniversary commemorative seal. The barrel and sideplate markings are gold-filled. The right of the frame has the four-line Marcas Registradas address. The crane cut is marked “S&W5446 / MOD. 25-3”, the butt is marked “S&W5446”. The crane and the sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.

There is a brass plate for the mahogany presentation case lid, it is marked “Smith & Wesson / 125th Anniversary Commemorative / 1852-1977”. A nickel-silver medallion is included with the S&W 125th anniversary commemorative seal on one side, the other with portraits of Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. The included book is titled “125 YEARS WITH SMITH & WESSON” on the cover and spine and the cover has an inlaid silver-colored medallion with the same portraits of Smith & Wesson found on the commemorative medallion.

Barrel Length: 6 1/2″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade with red plastic insert integral to the barrel’s serrated rib. The rear sight is a square notched, white outlined leaf in a base adjustable for windage and elevation screwed to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth Goncalo Alves target grips with gold-colored S&W medallions. There are a few tiny marks on the right panel below the screw. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few small spots of very shallow surface erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a thin, very faint turn line, not through the finish. There are a couple tiny marks on the sideplate that are not visible with target stocks installed. There is a tiny mark by the Marcas Registradas. There is a little mark on the right edge of the trigger guard. There are a few light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double-action trigger is smooth and the single-action trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks up with very light play on each of the six chambers. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a mahogany presentation case with blue felt interior with fitted depressions for the revolver, medallion and inside the lid for the book “125 Years with Smith & Wesson” by Roy Jinks with thumb-snap straps to hold the book in place. The book and medallion are in Excellent condition showing little to no wear. The presentation case has minor storage wear on the exterior. The glue to the lid components has started to lose its hold and the interior components of the lid are starting to separate and come apart. The case is in about Very Good condition. A key for the case is included.

Our Assessment: In 1977, Smith  & Wesson passed the milestone of 125 years providing the world with repeating cartridge handguns. In 1852, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, along with financier Cortland Palmer, began work on their Magazine Pistols, which would go on to launch not just Smith & Wesson but also Winchester! While the Magazine Pistol, later called the Volcanic, would not turn out to be a major success, after obtaining exclusive rights to Rollin White’s bored-through cylinder patent, Smith & Wesson began producing cartridge revolvers, and they would continue producing revolvers to this very day. This is Smith & Wesson’s model 25-3, a heavy barreled target revolver chambered in .45 Colt with a 6 1/2″ barrel, adjustable sights, produced to commemorate 125 years of Smith & Wesson. The revolver is in Excellent condition with about 98% of its metal finish, and comes with its presentation case, commemorative medallion and the book “125 Years with Smith & Wesson” by S&W historian Roy Jinks. This should make for a great addition to a Smith & Wesson collection and would make a great addition to any gun room in America. Please see our pictures and good luck!