Pre 27 3.5 inch bbl

BillyMagg · #1 03-06-2013, 07:26 PM

Okay guys, I was bidding on a pre-27 with short barrel, finish looks good, slight holster wear and neat gun, it is around 1200 now with 5 days to go so, this question is likely moot, grips number to gun, owner could not verify the finish is original, S&W on side plate looks lightly struck? and in the corners of the frame at the top there looks to be an accumulation of bluing? front and rear in the cylinder window, looks like it would clean off but , it makes me wonder. While I am picky? and cheap?, I am still trying to acquire a 98%+ pre 27? I have had several that were not quite up to snuff, the high dollar job from Scheels came home with me, but the right grip was cracked and it was numbered to the gun, which was also in the box, with taxes at 10%, I had 2200 in it, which I know is crazy, manager said he would make an adjustment but when I got there he was gone and the gm took 100 off, so I just returned it, I would be happy to own it for 1500.00 but just couldn't stick it out with a broken grip? I am looking at several very nice guns from fellow forum members, but not quite the quality I'm looking for and prices are running higher than I'm comfortable with???? Billy Magg
My question is mainly whether or not the 3.5 has been refinished, pm me if you don't find it, and mods I'm trying to follow the rules so if something isn't appropriate, feel free to edit it so that it is? Billy

H Richard · #2 03-06-2013, 08:14 PM

You may not post a link to a live auction, but you can mention which auction site it is listed on.

Dennis The B · #3 03-06-2013, 08:59 PM

This one's on GB (PRE-27). To my eyes, finish appears original, with some honest bluing wear around the muzzle. There are others here who know far more than I.

beemerphile · #4 03-06-2013, 11:08 PM

(Assuming I am looking at the right ad)... I don't know how you can try to sell a collectible gun like this, where nuances of condition are so important, with out some good pictures with correct lighting. I sold a 3-1/2 Pre-27 a week or so back on GB and I tried to make real sure that people could see what it was and what it was not.

Given your stated high level of "buyer discernment", it would seem risky to make a decision with dark pictures unless you were granted an approval period.

ETA: Don't pay any attention to my comments, I was on the wrong ad. - Lee

1943 · #5 03-06-2013, 11:10 PM

BillyMag
I think I found the auction that you have indicated. So I brought out A pre model mark Three fifty seven magnum to make comparison. they are a few indications that the 3 1/2 in gun in questions has been refinished.
1. the front sight pins have been polished flat on both sides.
2. side plate screw holes are dished
3. the checkering on the top of the hammer has been flattened
4. and as you mentioned blueing in some areas applied over uncleaned
surfaces.
5. cylinder ratchet appears to show wear
6. grips appear to have original finish that shows more wear than the
metal finish.
This is just my opinion, and would accept all critique.
Good luck on your hunt.

_________
~~Terry~~

crsides · #6 03-06-2013, 11:36 PM

My advice ... don't get in too big of a hurry. The fun is in the hunt. Once you have that high condition beauty, it will sit in the safe and gather dust.

So take your time. This is not the last one that will come up for sale. Plenty of us oldtimers dying off and collections to be sold.

Charlie

JayCeeNC · #7 03-07-2013, 01:15 AM

On the gun in question the trademark on the sideplate looks a bit "smeared" as is the 4-line address. Could be the focus of the sellers camera, but it just doesn't look "right" to me. An un-refinished gun of this era usually has very crisp markings. (I own four of these, one only 40-some numbers later than this one.)
I would also expect a gun with that low a serial number to have exposed/proud front sight pins.
There is an "R" on the left side of the grip frame under the grips; I'm not sure what that indicates. Usually a refinish mark is "R-B" or "R-N" but I'm not sure in what time frame they began using that mark.
On the plus side, it has the early "Speed Hammer" and a very low serial number, only 25 guns away from the accepted first gun serial number of S75514.