Hello folks, just bought my second S&W and by NO means an expert on these, that is why I joined. Stumbled upon the above with 3.5" barrel and purchased today that is in 80-90% (Slight blue wear on sides of muzzle and small almost unnoticeable blemish at back end of one of the flutes on cylinder. Barrel shiny and bright and rifling seems sharp, timing spot on with very minimal end shake at lockup. Just wondering if stag grips are factory and if anyone has any idea what it might be worth? Traded it for mint Baretta ES100 pintail 12 gauge semi auto (High book $575) and $200 in cash. The piece is really pretty, got to love a wheel gun. Selling off my hunting implements and concentrating my efforts on wheel guns. Attaching photos, not and expert at that by any means either!! Any help for this newbee would be greatly appreciated!

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Grips are not factory.
What is the markings in the yoke?
What is serial number on bottom of grip frame?

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

You did very well with your trade. Grips are probably worth at least $250.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Don't know about the grips except they are not S&W. A 3 1/2" .357 magnum is very desirable in that configuration.

I think you did beyond great on that trade! Well done.

That's a .357 Magnum made from 1950 to 1957. After 1957 they were designated the Model 27.
The grips look like Sambar stag.
Looks to be in very good condition. You made a good deal.
If you'll share the serial number on the butt somebody can probably make an educated ball-park guess as to when it shipped.

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John

Nice piece!
I cannot for the life of me figure out what you mean by it being a "Pre N Frame" revolver. The .357 Magnum (later called the Model 27) was built on the N frame from the very beginning (1935). There were no "pre N frame" versions.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

FACTORY?????

Are they Factory?

Very desirable gun and if you only have $775 in it as it sits,you have paid half of what it's worth,imo. And those are definitely sambar stag grips! If you decide to look for a correct pair of diamond magna grips for your new gun,I would be more than happy to buy those stags. Seriously! At least let me call first dibs.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

They are not factory grips.

Actually only have $200.00 in it I won the shotgun in a raffle!

Holy ×#$&*% $÷ #^%× #$/^%^ !!!!! That's one of those once in a lifetime deals. Let me know if you don't like it.

Nope - but very nice aftermarket stag grips!!! Factory stocks would have looked something like this...



BTW - Welcome to the forum. A great place to learn and share.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Jack:

I'm guessing he was referring to the fact that it does not have an "N" in the serial number.

ald1958:

As Jack noted, the S&W .357 Magnum revolver began shipping from the factory in 1935. At that time there were no letters in the serial numbers. During World War II, production of the 357 for all intents and purposes ceased (there are always a few exceptions with S&Ws, but very few in this case). After the war, when the factory began production on the 357, they added an internal safety bar and the serial numbers of all N Frame guns (including the 357 Magnum) had a leading "S" added. In the late 1950's the factory began numbering their models and the N Frame top of the line S&W .357 Magnum became the Model 27.

Sometime in the mid 1960's the factory dropped the "S" and started with a new serial number configuration starting with N1. This was the case until the early 1980's when they began serial numbering guns with a three letter prefix.

Once again - welcome to the forum. I hope that you will come back often and share the wheel guns that you own and will be acquiring. Be careful - it is addictive...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Welcome to the forum. You've got a beauty there. Verah nice.

Congrats on a very nice score!
Increasingly, it's becoming more and more uncommon to see a desirable piece of this vintage that hasn't been screwed up by some silly modification or refinish!
Yeah, the grips are non-factory but are an appropriate enhancement and easily reversible.
It has just the right amount of use under it's belt that you can take it out for some nice range time without hurting a thing. To me, this is much more desirable than a NIB safe queen.

Welcome to the Forum.

Very nice .357 Magnum there. I'd put the amount of finish in the low 90s%, rather than the 80s% you mentioned.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Any idea as to where period correct grips could be had and what I could expect to pay?

Thanks for the rating assistance, it is pretty clean.

I do plan on shooting it as well as concealed carry use. Have plenty of 1911 models of different manufactures, 45's,380's and a Walther PPKS my father brought back from WWII. And another desirable mint wheel gun from another maker that will more than likely be a safe queen, if I can't get the nerve up to shoot it. Would feel very confident in 357 for concealed carry. Thanks to all for all the help in such a short timeframe. Now just to find a holster.

Thanks Richard for detailed explanation What little I know is that newer models have the model number on the frame and yoke this has 4 digit 5249?

Members sell the correct stocks in the for sale forum from time to time but we need the serial number to tell you the exact type your gun needs.

You can use x's like S 901xx or S 1833xx.

That was a great trade ~ nice grips too!

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John
S&WCA Life Member

We know that since the gun is a 5 screw frame, it came with diamond grips, of some type. The SN will not tell us which type for sure, because there were two main types: diamond targets, and diamond magnas. Diamond magnas (which RKMesa shows in post #14) are very likely to be correct for your gun and are way more commonly found on 357 magnums in this era. They were fit perfectly to the frame by the factory, and the right grip panel of the original set for the gun had the SN stamped inside. The gun, depending on when shipped, could have alternatively had non-relieved diamond targets, or relieved diamond targets. Only a factory letter would prove that it shipped with target grips. Target grips were not hand fit to the frame. Some 357 magnums shipped with the "coke bottle" target grips, after 1956 approx. Once again, you would need a factory letter to support this. The most likely scenario, by far, is it shipped with the grips shown in post #14.

This happened in 1968/69.

That's an assembly number, used at the factory during manufacture. On S&Ws, except in a few rare exceptions, the serial number is ALWAYS on the butt of the grip frame. It was ALSO found in the yoke area, where you found those numbers you mention, after 1958 approx. Not long after the SN appearing there, all models were given a model number and yours became the 27, as others have said. Then there were design changes periodically, which resulted in 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, etc.

Regarding "pre N frame" some people still maintain that post war N frames from 1946 to 1968/69 are "S frames" due to an error from an article in either an American Rifleman or a vintage Guns and Ammo magazine. While they did have the S prefix in those years, there never was a "S frame." Since 1908, when it debuted, the large "44" frame has been known as the N frame, by the factory. The confusion is perpetuated by many K frame guns in the era having a K prefix and the fact that N frames had the N prefix after 1968 until the early 1980s. However, the K prefix refers to K frame TARGET, not just a K frame. The M&P (later the model 10), which are also K frame, had S, C, and D prefixes after WWII, depending on when they were made. The I and J frames were given several different prefixes as well.

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

THIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JIM.......................

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SWCA # L-1911

That is exact language from S&W email?

That is exact language from S&W email that I sent them???

I don't understand what you are asking me. Could you please clarify?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My advice is for you to change your place of residence so when the police come looking they will not find you. You sir have a successfully completed a significant coup. Lay Low for a while and enjoy it!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Your 1952 pre-27 looks so much nicer (and is one year older) than my 1953 pre-27...hmmm

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C & L

I think I know what you are asking, and yes, we are saying that the "factory employee" you spoke with is wrong. I've ordered parts from S&W, had a 27-2 refinished, and had at least 3 guns fixed. I've called in about other questions as well. Needless to say, I've spoke to many factory employees. Very few that I spoke with were knowledgeable about vintage models, of any type. Vintage to them is 30 years or older as well; vintage to me is 5 screw or earlier. I never spoke to a factory employee who was a collector, although I acknowledge that there would be a few.

You have to understand that they are not paid to know about S&Ws made 50 years ago. They don't have to know the company or model history. They are paid to perform some type of task day in and day out, and this academic study of their vintage pistols is done solely by their historian, Roy Jinks. I'm not saying this to be rude, but speaking to anyone there other than Roy about a vintage S&W is a waste of time, IMO.

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

I am not in the least upset with S&W I am happy that they were kind enough to give me the mfg date. I had seen this pistol several months ago, never really investigated and the fellow stated he turned down $400.00. This same fell went deer hunting with me and borrowed the Shotgun I traded plus cash. He could not resist telling me at least a dozen times how much he liked the shotgun (I forgot about the scope cost at $150.00) which is mint with box and all papers etc. Thought if I could double the original offer he would sell and he did. I was mainly attracted to the condition and remember reading something somewhere way back about pinned barrels being desirable. I really had no idea at time of the deal that as someone in this thread stated is worth twice the deal and thought that for actual $350.00 out of pocket I could have something sexier at low financial risk than the new ones to carry. I really wanted something to CCW, I have 45's and 380's but really wanted a 357 and have been looking at new S&W 357's and they really do not "lite my fire." Just want to thank everyone for all the help and I just got lucky on this one!!!!

YEAH BUT YOURS IS STILL SEXY!!!!!! These coming from a time when people gave a **** about what they were putting out. Classic lines just damn sexy!!!! Where do all the stag grips come from if they were not factory. Was thinking of buying period correct but I like the stag's!!

Yep, I like the stags also. These are on a newer gun...27-2 3.5" barrel...1972 if my memory is working tonight

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C & L

That is pretty, what is the additional piece on the grip???

The stags were a very popular back then. They are a very proper and appropriate addition to your gun.

You can do a lot worse.

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Eccentric old coot

It was sheer luck, really did not know value till I posted on this site and someone said it was double the monetary cost I gave. Wanted a CCW piece and the new stuff just did not lite my fire!!!

THANKS, I do like these stags in particular, they got some moss to them!!! Got to get some leather though! Will any N frame style holster fit my pistol?

Yup, it's an N frame. There are a number of talented craftsmen on this forum who can come up with an appropriate holster for you.

There are others of course, but here you get a custom holster built to your specifications and desires.

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Eccentric old coot

That is a grip adapter...Tyler T-grip to be specific. Some folks like them, some don't. Older I get the less I like them for some reason. Tyler made/makes them in black (matte & gloss), polished aluminum, and anodized bronze.

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C & L

I have the correct grips/stocks for your
Smith.
Shoot me a PM.

My cousin has the above in nice condition. backstop on frame blue is worn off. not sure if I am on right site forum but was wondering what year of Mfg and worth????

Great information.
I believe the gentleman is a newbie to revolvers,
"as he admitted" and just didn't know what he had.
N-frame .357's started in the 30's.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Welcome to the forum, and you sure started with a "bang"!!! That is a very nice gun, and you sure got it at the right price!!!

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Can't resist weighing in here. You seem like the type of guy who would fall into a bucket of ... well, you know ... and come out smelling like a rose. Good for you. I'll give you twice what you've invested in that gun born in my birth year!

Please don't use that gorgeous revolver as a ccw in a holster. If you must, though, do it the justice of having a custom rig, including a belt, built for it and for you. Since it's a 3 1/2" barrel you won't find a generic holster for it. Go find one of the threads where folks are showing off their leather -- you'll see lots of terrific leather maker options to enhance your great find. You literally have nothing invested in the gun so spend your money on a really nice rig.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the pre-27. It'll handle anything you want to push through the barrel, and it'll look great doing it. Enjoy.

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Any names or contacts you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Be aware that revolver may be worth as much as 2000 dollars with those stag grips on it, so I don't recommend you carry it like you might a cheap off the rack Glock 19. You want a lined holster and you want to keep it under cover until you arrive at a Barbecue worthy of the display of a revolver this fine.

How is the accuracy of these 27's?

MODEL 37 serial #6966xx

This one probably shipped in the 1962-1969 time period.

"How is the accuracy of these 27's?"

Better than most of us can shoot.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!