So I'm interested in buying this revolver but I am not sure what model it is. Doesnt have anything on the yoke so Its before 57. Caliber is 357 magnum and has a 6 inch barrel. It's in beautiful shape and the guy is asking 850 which I'm not sure is a fair price or not considering I don't know the model of the gun. I attached pictures of the frame as well as the serial number.

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What caliber is it?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

duh, thatd be helpful. even read the posted how to identify thread... Its a .357 and has a 6 inch barrel

It is a pre M27 from the 1956-57 period.


Are you sure of the barrel length? It is measured from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. IIRC, both 6" and 6 1/2" barrels were offered then.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I believe this dates to 1956. Given that is has five frame screws, it would probably date early in that year, if not sometime the year prior.
The model would be .357 Magnum. Model numbers were not assigned until June of 1957, and model-marked guns started shipping in 1958.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

He advertised it as being 6 inches so I'm pretty sure unless he measured it incorrectly.

The bluing in the rest of the pictures looks to be in very good shape other than very slight holster wear on the end of the barrel. Is 850 a fair price for it?

It's difficult to tell from the camera angle but it sure looks like a 6". Does anyone else find it unusual to have a Baughman ramp front sight on a 6" pre-Model 27?

Russ

I saw a pre-27 in Southern Ohio for a lot more than that. Condition was very nice, I was not interested in spending that much so I did not pick it up or do any research. Just a data point. Gun sat in the shop for a couple of months and then was gone, not sure if it went out at the high sticker price or for a substantial discount.

More pictures would help but the short answer is yes, in today's world $850 is fair. Maybe even low.

Most of the 6" or longer barrelled M27s that I have seen had Patridge front sights. A few have had factory Baughman ramps.

It is not unheard of to modify a Patridge into a ramp either.

agaas4, can you get a better, side view of the front sight?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

In my experience a ramp on a 6" barrel is most unusual. Vast majority have the Patridge type. On the much less common 6.5" barrels it seems split between ramps and Patridge types.

Mine shipped May 17, 1957 (S164278) in the configuration shown. The 6.5" barrel came with a red insert ramp and the rear blade has the white outline.

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No life story has happy end.

Saxonpig's post is most informative. It would be worth getting a firm measurement of the barrel as part of the calculus for arriving at the likely originality of the front sight? If Saxonpig reads this perhaps he can comment on the likelihood of red ramp versus no red ramp on Baughman (ramp) front sights of a .357 Magnum (or, as others refer to it, a "Pre-model 27"). I do not recall seeing hardly any red ramp front sights on .357 Magnum's except maybe a couple of 8-3/8" barrels.

To my eye, when I zoom in on the posted pictures of the revolver in question, the front sight looks more like a modified Patridge front sight. Mort detailed views of the front sight area might help solve this mystery?

$850 seems reasonable if all original. I cannot see the stocks. If the front sight is not original I think the $850 may be a little rich by $50-$100.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Those are aftermarket stocks (grips) on it now that have very little value. A correct set of diamond target grips will probably set you back another $200 or more. Consider that in any offer.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

BUY IT !If you get in trouble with your spouse--tell her Jimmy made you do it.

I have a lot more pictures but I'm at work currently and have awful service. I will put them up later. Thanks for all the help!!

It may be the angle or perhaps my monitor but that front sight base appears to fall short of the tip of the barrel unlike the one shown in SP's photo. I just checked a few of mine and the sight bases all go to the barrel tip. Just curious.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Just buy it! Even if the front sight has been modified it's worth $850.

lol I hope so but I saw one person say 850 may be a little high then others say its a good price. I'd just like to get the most accurate appraisal.

I added pictures of the front sight!

Well the front sight doesn't look like a modified Patridge. Looks factory Baughman to me.

well that's good to know!

So any other opinions? I'm thinking about offering the guy 700 and going from there

Lol Jimmy, don't have to worry about that, I'm only 19. No wife for a long time!

After seeing the new pictures of the front sight I take back what I said earlier about the front sight looking like a modified Patridge. It looks like an appropriate Baughman ramp. I'm not sure I have enough information or pictures to give you a good opinion about your thought of a $700 offer. With non-original stocks and assuming the only significant wear is what is shown near the end of the barrel $700 seems like a fair offer assuming the after market grips are of some garden variety. Some aftermarket grips can be fairly valuable so it might be worth a picture of them.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Some of the members who posted before me are better at valuing Pre-27s, especially ones with unusual features, but it appears they are all assuming the revolver was not refinished. The pictures are not good enough to tell whether it was refinished or not and that makes a big difference in value. To get the most out of their advise post better close ups of the stampings, trade mark and side plate screws. The appearance of the top side plate screw in one picture is enough to raise the question.

Alright, I'll do that right now

stamp pics uploaded. had to delete the sight ones to make room

Doesn't look like a refinish to me.
Have you bought it yet?

Good to hear! For the future, what exactly are you looking for on the stamps that'd raise flags? And Not yet, he's thinking of my offer which I decided to do 750. I told him I was firm at that, I think he'll end up taking it

He said he'll do 750! Supposed to meet him on Thursday

Re: refinish signs.
The old bluing is typically buffed off mechanically and usually reduces the sharpness and depth of the rollmarks. Also, the sharp edges, especially around the screw holes, will be kind of "dished" looking. These are the most commonly seen issues with a reblued gun.
Others may have additional information regarding what to look for.
But I personally don't believe yours has been reblued.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it