1960 mfg...Scored at the Gunshow today.
Show honest use. Smooth as silk.
Bore, lock-up as new or better.
As I was closing the deal the seller stated "Oh yeah this old
holster goes with it".
He lays out the Berns-Martin rig.

[

Nice score, the holster was the icing on the cake

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Gary Grace
S&WCA #1837

Wow! The B-M rig is a gorgeous "accessory" for a fine old gun.

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John

Great find, I love those 3.5 in N frames.

thats nice! i bet that gun has rode a few miles in that holster

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

Oh man, I've wanting a 3.5" 27 for a while, but haven't seen any for sale that I can get here. Beautiful revo and holster combo!

Great acquisition: Nice Bern-Martin holster, and a rare 27-1 3.5" to boot. Here's a similar setup for a 4" .44 Magnum:

That holster was more than "icing on the cake." The last pair of B-Ms I saw for sale at a gun show was 3 years ago, at $120 apiece. One was floral carved, per the OP's picture, the other plain.

Makes one wonder why no one makes a true rendition of the B-M today. All of the newer versions I've seen have a tension screw behind the trigger guard, rather than the spring steel around the cylinder.

Nice catch. A 3 1/2" by it self is a prize but a -1! Larry

What a great find! Those are two nice pieces of handgunning history. Just the kind of thing I enjoy seeing most. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Xfuzz, ye' done GOOD.....& agree w/^; much obliged for sharing.GR

Xfuzz,

That is the kind of package that really turns my head. Congratulations! (Wish I had been a couple of steps ahead of you at that show)

Is there any possibility that the seller could give you any info on the prior owner? Probably was a detective, chief, or other "suit". For a gun of that age, the man who carried it might still be around.

Bob

Bettis1,

I think I may slip back out there after church.
Come to think of it the seller had a flat latch mod 36
he stated came from the same old man.
Duty off duty guns maybe...I will advise.

xfuzz, what a find. i really like older guns with a possible history. thanks for sharing and go get that 36 too. lee

Ya know Bob, I happened to wander through the Market Hall show here awhile back and found a Safety Speed holster laying on a table. With the gun belt and all. The guy gave me some song and dance about it being the first LAPD K9 Officers rig or some other such nonsense.

Yep, as I recall, it even had the dog's tooth marks on the belt.

Bob

That is just pretty darn cool...I'd have bought it too

Dash One Model 27......what a fantastic find. Take good care of that thing!! Like the cake icing, too!!

Info received is the Smith belonged to the sheriff
in Victoria County Texas.
Name unknown to seller....but it's a staring point.
Maybe be just "gunshow BS"..but the old rig just speaks
LEO.
The 36 had sold.......

Here you go, Xfuzz.

Victoria County Sheriff's Office - History

Time line looks like M. W. "Monte" Marchall might be your man. He was first elected in Nov. 1954 and served until Jan. 1972.

Bob

Found that likewise...I'll start with a few calls tomorrow.
May cruise down and see if i can find some pics.

Great gun. Great holster. You had a great day. Congrats!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

You just bought my dream gun. I like them with a little wear so I can shoot it without worry. Congratulations on a great find.

Willing to share the s/n? Hoping to narrow down the elusive (mythical?) 28-1. Thanks!!!

Serial Number range.....S 220xxx

Thank you Sir! I'm still lookin.....

Xfuzz,

Any luck on turning up data and photos on Sheriff Marchall?

Bob

Ah the hope of the hopeless. I and others have been looking for this gun for years. It ain't going to happen. Sales were to slow on 28's to make the change. There have also been reports of 8 3/8 barrels. God bless the hopeless for I am one.

"The best gun I ever found was the one I wasn't looking for." DW

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"NUTS"

I wish someone would make true B-M holsters as well....out of LEATHER and spring steel...I would carry my N frames in a B-M without question

W@hat a great "git!"

Bob....

All current indicators point that direction.
I have been on the road in the motorhome hiding
from the Texas heat...New Mexico and such.
I'm going to go to thier library early next month.

This rig and any documentation I can turn up will
be at the Houston Reliant Show Sept 17/18th.
If your in town stop by...C6

Yes, DWFan, I am hopeless, but I will keep on looking as well. What a wonderful quest! And, so far, hasn't cost me a dime! But someday.....

Great rig, I hope you find the provenance with Sheriff Marchall. I see the SCS&W states that the -1's bring a premium over the no dash 27's, why are they more desirable?

May your glass always be half full.
DW

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"NUTS"

RR,
The 27-1 were only made for about 1 year before S&W started
the 27-2's.
Found this ended auction...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=175680877

My rig...

Xfuzz, I can understand that making the -1's more desirable than the -2's but why are the -1's more desirable than the no dash's?

Per the SCSW the 27 no dash was made from 1957 to 1959 .. the 27 -1 was made only in 1960 and the the 27-2 was made from 1961 to 1982.. with the dash 3 in1983..

Mr. Fuzz's rig's bigger brother..

27-1 5" Shipped October 1962..per Mr. Jinks.. remember shipping and production were two different things with S&W

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP