|
|
12-02-2011, 07:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
|
|
Pre-27 with multiple "bubba gunsmithing" issues. Value?
I'm trying to help a friend out with this one.
He received a Pre Model 27 from a relative in payment for a loan. Serial # S807XX which dates it to 1951-52 according to SC of S&W. The gun, originally a 5 inch, was sent back to S&W at some point and an 8 3/8ths inch barrel was installed. Both barrels are with the gun and both are serial number marked matching the gun. The relative told him S&W also refinished the gun.
At the moment it has about 85% of the finish- a dull blue- remaining on both barrels. The original diamond Magna grips appear to have been ground with a grinding wheel to put a speadloader cut on the left panel. The barrels have obviously been swapped back and forth a few times as there are
numerous marks around both sides of the pin on the frame. The pin is also too long and sticks out a bit on both sides. There is a heavy turn line on the cylinder but lock-up and timing are still good.
Now for the REAL 'bubba' job. The side plate is not only a shinier and deeper blue than the rest of the gun, it also sits about 1/16th of an inch below the top of the frame by both front screws. It is also at least 1/32 short by the front/crane screw. Near the top and under grip screws the plate is about 1/32nd below the frame surface. What the heck did they do?
Can a K-frame side plate fit on an N frame that way?
Also-any idea at all what the value of this Franken-Smith is?
Last edited by steamloco76; 12-03-2011 at 10:10 AM.
Reason: Clairfication
|
12-02-2011, 07:15 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: High Desert Nevada
Posts: 656
Likes: 12
Liked 459 Times in 148 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by steamloco76
Now for the REAL 'bubba' job. The side plate is not only a shinier and deeper blue than the rest of the gun, it also sits about 1/16th of an inch below the top of the frame by both front screws. It is also at least 1/32 short by the front/crane screw. Near the top and under grip screws the plate is about 1/32nd below the frame surface. What the heck did they do? Can a K-frame side plate fit on an N frame that way? Also-any idea at all what the value of this Franken-Smith is?
|
I would never have thought somebody would try that...I can't imagine a K frame sideplate screwholes would even line up..but, if no one can answer your question, I'll try it when I get home and give you the results..
|
12-03-2011, 10:16 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
|
|
Any true S&W gunsmithing experts want to take a crack at my original post?
Also, the friend said his relative gave him the gun in lieu of $600. I don't think it makes it to that level, but I'm fishing for opinions.
Sorry I couldn't get photos.
|
12-03-2011, 10:23 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 665
Liked 1,573 Times in 668 Posts
|
|
Sounds like a replacement side plate from a different gun. With all the issues it is perhaps a $250 - $300 gun if it shoots well.
|
12-03-2011, 10:49 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 993
Liked 1,923 Times in 956 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Model19man
Sounds like a replacement side plate from a different gun. With all the issues it is perhaps a $250 - $300 gun if it shoots well.
|
To me,that sounds like an optimistic value.I wouldn't want it at all.
|
12-03-2011, 11:45 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,804
Likes: 18,554
Liked 22,422 Times in 8,276 Posts
|
|
Sounds to me like the foundation for a restoration project. Would agree, $250-$300 value. Perhaps a little more as it has two barrels with it.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
12-03-2011, 12:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Northeastern PA
Posts: 149
Likes: 764
Liked 56 Times in 25 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard
Sounds to me like the foundation for a restoration project. Would agree, $250-$300 value. Perhaps a little more as it has two barrels with it.
|
I am thinking a 5" .44 special.
|
12-03-2011, 12:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 882
Liked 1,719 Times in 549 Posts
|
|
The relative is doing a disservice to your friend (his own relative). It may be from ignorance (doesn't know any better) or malice. Either way your friend needs more payback/collateral.
Dave
__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)
|
12-03-2011, 03:25 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,320
Likes: 34,027
Liked 10,993 Times in 3,961 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
The relative is doing a disservice to your friend (his own relative). It may be from ignorance (doesn't know any better) or malice. Either way your friend needs more payback/collateral.
|
It's better than an autographed photo of Rosie O'Donell, but nowhere near worth $600.
The relative should sell the gun himself and use the proceeds (plus $300 or $400 more) and pay back your friend what he owes him.
__________________
You're shy a few manners.
|
12-03-2011, 03:46 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Santo las nubes, Florida
Posts: 9,004
Likes: 9,242
Liked 14,710 Times in 4,706 Posts
|
|
I got this one for $450 last week. It's from 1954 with none of the aforementioned problems. That deal sounds pretty unfair, although if he accepted the gun as payment, deal is done. Joe
__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster
|
12-03-2011, 04:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sebago Lake, Maine, USA
Posts: 5,434
Likes: 6,726
Liked 6,725 Times in 1,862 Posts
|
|
Bubba should be hanged...
At best you are looking at parts. Two $50 barrels and a $75 cylinder. Maybe $40 for the trigger / hammer. And that only if they are not mechanically altered, ruined in some fashion or rusted.
Sounds like the rest of the gun is junk.
Life's too short for broke up guns...
|
12-03-2011, 06:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son
Bubba should be hanged...
At best you are looking at parts. Two $50 barrels and a $75 cylinder. Maybe $40 for the trigger / hammer. And that only if they are not mechanically altered, ruined in some fashion or rusted.
Sounds like the rest of the gun is junk.
Life's too short for broke up guns...
|
My initial response to my friend was "I hope you didn't pay more than $200 for that."
He was hoping I'd want to buy it for $450-$500. I politely said I wasn't interested, however I would investigate and give him an Idea of the true worth.
Sounds like $200 to a max of $300 if the internals aren't altered.
The sideplate is the real puzzler. The plate does not fit the frame correctly, yet the revolver seems to function just fine when dry fired.
|
12-03-2011, 06:32 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Indy
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times in 53 Posts
|
|
There are/were two 27's on G-broker that were 100% complete, and original, just pretty rough. One had a buy it now for $599, the other opening bid of $450. Not ONE person bid on either.
|
12-03-2011, 06:39 PM
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: utah
Posts: 13,059
Likes: 2,547
Liked 7,201 Times in 3,064 Posts
|
|
"Suspisious minds" Here is my theory. The original owner was a advanced type gunman. He sent the gun back to smith, got a extra fitted barrel and smith engraved his name in gold on the sideplate. (Had that done that myself). Then alas, the gun is stolen. Now someone got ahold of a sideplate trying to make the gun saleable.
|
12-03-2011, 08:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
|
|
Plausible, as the barrels are definitely both properly serial numbered to the gun.
|
12-03-2011, 10:10 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 181
Liked 2,719 Times in 724 Posts
|
|
This sounds like a case where the parts are worth more than the whole. I would take everything apart, put the pieces in a coffee can and sell it as is. Consider anything over $200-250 as a gift to you for disassemblying it.
Bob
|
12-04-2011, 03:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 14,587
Liked 9,313 Times in 3,723 Posts
|
|
Other than the possibility that it may have been stolen (good thinking, that), what would keep this from being good fodder for a project gun, such as the conversion I want to do to replace my stolen .45ACP revolver?
__________________
NHI, 10-8.
|
12-04-2011, 03:16 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,320
Likes: 34,027
Liked 10,993 Times in 3,961 Posts
|
|
I think the point is this:
When you borrow money, pay it back IN CASH.
Don't pay it back with some item of dubious value and perhaps questionable legality.
__________________
You're shy a few manners.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|