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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 12-26-2010, 09:42 PM
Shooting4life Shooting4life is offline
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Default Pre 27 refinish question

I have a hammered pre 27 6 inch that I am thinking about getting refinished. The blueing is probably 65-70% but no pitting. It has matching grips that are equally as trashed, no box. It letters correctly for its appearance. Serial nuber S80058. Any reason why I should not. I don have much into this revolver and I figure 300 more to fords would be worth while. It is hard here in ca to find another pre 27 in better condition so selling this and buying another is easier said than done. I don't believe this particular gun has any collector value due to it's condition but I wanted to hear what everyone has to say.


The pics make it look better than it appears.
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Old 12-26-2010, 09:57 PM
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It's the usual dilemma - it is "original" but not in collectible condition. If you want it to look better and are not worried about spending the money or its future value, a refinish is reasonable. In my opinion, there's no right or wrong answer, simply your personal preference. Good luck in your decision.
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Old 12-26-2010, 10:26 PM
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You may also want to see what Smith and Wesson would want for a re-blue. I have had a sideplate on a 27-2 and a cylinder on an s-serial number 28-2 cylinder reblued for a reasonable cost and they did a great job matching the finish to the gun. This may make a difference to some buyers, maybe not, but if it's cheaper than ford's, this could make sense.
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Old 12-26-2010, 10:41 PM
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Hey,nice CA score.I think S&W charges about $250.00 for their high polish blue refinish.They also replace worn out parts at the same time if available.I have seen a few of their reblue jobs and they were very nice.I think the condition yours is in would benifit from a reblue IMHO.Either way,you have got yourself a very nice gun.Be sure to post pictures if you do reblue it.
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Old 12-26-2010, 11:03 PM
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I have another option for you. I have a 27-3 6" in a mat Nickel I will trade you even up. If you are interested let me know. I will try to get some photos up soon. I do not know if this is a original finish as I have not lettered this gun. Kyle
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Old 12-26-2010, 11:33 PM
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BTW, last time I called the Performance Center at the factory they stated they will only work on model stamped steel frame revolvers, due to the lack of parts for older guns.
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Old 12-26-2010, 11:57 PM
Shooting4life Shooting4life is offline
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Thanks for the offer alaskavett but I can only purchase c&r pistols from out of state (ca law). I was also under the impression that s&w would not touch pre model guns so that is why I assumed fords would be the best route to take.
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Old 12-27-2010, 12:06 AM
rck281 rck281 is offline
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Due to condition, it's not collectable so I think a refinish is perfectly OK. I would think about making it nickel since the older guns have the front sight ramp base made as a separate piece. This way you could have a nickel gun with a blued front sight. S&W might even do a red post or gold bead front sight. This would certainly set it off from a later model nickel gun. Just an idea.
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Old 12-27-2010, 12:24 AM
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Maybe I'm curious (nuts) - but that gun looks like it might have some history. Another option would be to letter it - in case it had some interesting past that would dictate keeping it in it's current condition.

Good Luck,

Jerry
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Old 12-27-2010, 12:29 AM
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Fords is one way, but also Bowen Arms is another for a refinish. I am thinking about having them do some work for me. Personally, some of those old guns like that have character.
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Old 12-27-2010, 12:49 AM
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It was lettered by the previous owner. The letter indicated nothing special. Just the usual stuff. Any idea the price Bowen would run for a re finish job? I contacted him about doing some single action work on a ruger of mine and his wait time was over 1 year. Is his refinish times simalure?
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Old 12-27-2010, 02:50 AM
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Quote:
I don't believe this particular gun has any collector value due to it's condition
Refinishing it won't add any more to its collector value, and would take
away something. Make sure you know why you want to have it
refinished.

As was suggested, the first thing to do is to get a letter on it, so
that you will know what you are destroying with a refinishing.

Assuming it has nothing special in its provenance, you would be be
better off selling it, and finding another in better condition. You didn't
say that the gun has any family significance, so why bother spending
money for no reason. Its not like 27's are scarce - there are lots of
them around.

Mike Priwer
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Old 12-27-2010, 03:22 AM
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I took a picture of the second page of the letter which contains the paragraph describing this particular gun.
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Old 12-27-2010, 09:03 AM
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I believe in keeping a firearm original no matter how bad it looks.coat it with some light gun oil buy a holster for it and enjoy.

Last edited by lowhog; 12-27-2010 at 09:14 AM.
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Old 12-27-2010, 10:47 AM
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Which do you want? A nice gun to shoot and enjoy, or spend $250 and have a gun that you won't shoot because now it's too nice to scuff up?
Don't ask me how I came to this position.
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Old 12-27-2010, 03:19 PM
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If a nice re-blue makes is more appealing and makes the gun far more useful to you as a shooter, then go ahead.

On another re-blue restoration note. I received two Remington #4's from my Dad before he passed away. They were in 10% condition at best. They did have shiny bores and decent wood to go with the broken springs, missing parts and non-existant finish. My Dad had to have had them for forty or fifty years sitting in the corner of the cabinet.

I had them professionally reblued and repaired, then I refinished the wood on one of them myself and had a small case made to carry it. I gave it to my nephew for a Christmas present and he loves it. My Dad had always said that one day he was going to repair them for my brother and I. He never did anything with them but I bet he would have enjoyed seeing them.
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Old 12-27-2010, 04:16 PM
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They made plenty of them - send it back to S&W, have it blued and ask them to go through it with available parts to bring it into specs.
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Old 12-27-2010, 05:49 PM
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If you want a nicely refinished gun and don't mind spending money that will actually result in reducing the value of the gun then have it refinished.

Refinishing is economically a losing proposition but if you prefer a refinished gun to one in "shooter grade" original condition then do it.

I would not. But that's me... and it's your gun, not mine.
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Old 12-27-2010, 06:36 PM
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A few peoPle mentionedthe same thing, about how refinishing the reolver would lower it's value and generally speaking I believe that is true. So what would you value this gun at then? And giving that the blueing is so far gone how much is a reblued pre 27 worth?
I am not trying to turn a profit, I just usually own guns in better shape than this. I plan on keeping this as a range gun. I figure the gun is worth 500 in it's current condition and reblued would be worth $700? Being a net loss of $100 but a gain in many years of more enjoyment looking at it.
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Old 12-27-2010, 07:02 PM
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Default I would buy it!

I would be happy to give you $500 for it. I particularly like 5-screw pre-model guns but I want it as a range gun. Yours is perfect for what I want. Keep me as an option if you want to sell and buy what you want. I have a C&R also! Good luck.
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Old 12-27-2010, 09:11 PM
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Shooting4Life- I would debate your numbers. I agree the gun is worth around $500 right now. Maybe a tad more. But $700 if you refinish it? In my experience value goes down with refinishing. I think you would make it a $400 gun by doing it.

But whatever, you seem to have already made up your mind on the matter so I am not even sure why you asked for the opinions of others.
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Old 12-27-2010, 09:26 PM
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It seems like you have a forum member willing to give you $500.00 for your gun in it's present condition,why not sell it and buy another model 27 in the condition that you are looking for.It's a good deal for both parties.
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Old 12-27-2010, 09:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig View Post
Shooting4Life- I would debate your numbers. I agree the gun is worth around $500 right now. Maybe a tad more. But $700 if you refinish it? In my experience value goes down with refinishing. I think you would make it a $400 gun by doing it.

But whatever, you seem to have already made up your mind on the matter so I am not even sure why you asked for the opinions of others.
It is not that I have made my mind up. The numbers were assumptions and that is why I threw them out there. They were a guess and it sounds like I guessed wrong. I was assumin that since the value has declined so greatly because of the wear that an actual reblue would help.
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Old 12-27-2010, 11:43 PM
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I bought a 27 much like yours in the early 80's. I had it nickeled by smith & wesson and it has been my 'shooter' from that day. I don't like my guns with 'character' I like them pristine! I did pick up a 27-2 in nickel -- just like it for a backup. But its never been fired. Its now a 'safe queen' after 27 years.
Nothing wrong with a shooter that looks nice.
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Old 12-28-2010, 12:46 AM
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I agree the gun is worth around $500 right now. Maybe a tad more. But $700 if you refinish it? In my experience value goes down with refinishing. I think you would make it a $400 gun by doing it.


What he said.
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Old 12-28-2010, 01:06 AM
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You have to decide why you are having the gun refinished. If you are doing it because the gun doesn't appeal to you in it's present condition, then you have 2 choices. Take the amount that you have into the gun and add the cost of the refinish. Now take that number and see if you could buy a better condition gun either here or on one of the auction sites. If you have say $500 into the gun and would likely spend $250 to have it reblued, then you would have a $750 gun. If you can buy a better one for say $650, then the refinish doesn't make sense. If however, a gun in the condition that you want would be $900, then go for it.

Should you decide to go the refinish route, then I would call S&W and see if they would do it. I wouldn't replace parts or have any logos added or changed as that really affects value. The factory refinish detracts less in most collectors minds as opposed to one done by Ford's or someone else.

Personally, I would leave it alone and just clean it real well, wax it and enjoy shooting it.

If you really want it to be purdy, then you will probably go the refinish route.

Lastly, a couple of hundred bucks burned in a lifetime is chicken feed if it makes you smile.
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Old 12-28-2010, 07:00 AM
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Seems to me the value of this gun is exactly what you paid for it. The value of the gun if you have it refinished will again be exactly what you paid. No more, no less.
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Old 12-28-2010, 10:29 AM
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Since this thread is still going on and we've had mention of Ford's as a possible refinisher, I'd like to ask if anyone can confirm an observation I've made about several of the Smith & Wessons I see pictured on Ford's website. The finish on all guns on the site look very bright and shiny, but sideplates look like they have been polished separately from the frame. For me this is a very glaring earmark of a refinish .

I have an abused Model 25-2 that I have considered having reblued and have looked closely at pictures from forum members of S&Ws refinished by the factory and the pictures from Ford's website and others. For right now , I have decided that the abuse is small and I bought a better condition 25-2 thinking I'd sell the first revolver. However, now that I do have a much better condition example, I like the first gun even more. Glad I did not have a reblue done.

Any comments about the pictures of Ford's refinished guns ?

Dan T.
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Old 12-28-2010, 11:50 AM
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The side plate thing may be a light function rather than a finish thing.

I sent this gun back to S&W for a reblue and the picture I took when I got it back makes it look like the side plate is different than the rest of the gun.. That is not the case. The finish is identical on both the frame and the side plate.
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Old 12-29-2010, 11:17 AM
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It was not the surface finish difference that I see on the Ford's pictures. It is the rounded edges at the outline of the sideplate.......where sideplate meets the frame. That is something I've never seen on S&W factory refinishes, both in pictures and on actual guns.

How about pics from members who have used Ford's ?

Dan T.
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