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04-20-2017, 12:43 AM
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Pre 27 6-1/2" pawn shop ... is it a good find???
Frequent user of this forum but first time to post. I'm grateful for all the knowledge shared in these halls.
So, I dropped by a local pawn, somewhat of a usual stop, and in looking at the display case, I was taken by this strange revolver. I had now idea what it was, specially because it had no model number!!!
So I googled and came here; started reading and read and read some more.
I discovered it was a 1953 pre 27 6.5" beauty.
Condition I'd say about 75%... some rust and a good amount of bluing lost due to holster wear.
"Pointer" grips and a beautiful holster came with it.
Mechanically perfect with deep groves and a shiny bore as well.
Cleaned it, took care of the few rust spots and here it is.
They were asking for $799 +tax, after much whining about the condition it was in and the lack of information they had, it came home for $500 out the door.
Was this a good find (lick)? Worth the $500?!? (Deep South Texas)
I'm attaching pics of course.
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6518John, 6string, alaskavett, bruce5781, Combat, DGT, DocB, JayCeeNC, Jeffrey A. Cooper, ki5mc, Lee Barner, LEO918, Mike Q., mojave30cal, Muley Gil, Old Seabee, OldK22, ParadiseRoad, paragain, Peak53, retiredbadge8091, RKmesa, rwsmith, SDH, THE PILGRIM, walkin' trails |
04-20-2017, 12:58 AM
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Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum from Arizona. Looks like a good shooter grade .357 at a great price. The 6.5 inch barreled guns are a little harder to find.
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04-20-2017, 01:00 AM
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$500? You got a great deal!
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04-20-2017, 01:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownsvilleshooter
1953 pre 27 6.5" beauty.
it came home for $500 out the door
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You are kidding, right? A five screw .357 Magnum for 5 Benjies? I can't believe you are asking "Was this a good find?" Of course it was!
And as LEO918 mentioned, the 6 1/2" barrel is less common than the 6" during that period. My earliest postwar .357 Magnum (a five screw from 1952) has the more common 6" barrel. I've never managed to own one with a 6 1/2" tube. Not even after they became the Model 27. And the half-inch longer barrel was discontinued on this model in 1967.
Quote:
Frequent user of this forum but first time to post.
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Well, you picked the right time and the right gun for your first post!
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04-20-2017, 01:54 AM
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Grips notwithstanding, you did good. Congrats!
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04-20-2017, 04:36 AM
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Where I'm from, you got a heck of a lot of gun for five bills. Go to your local gun store and see what $500.00 will get you in the way of a new gun, then compare it to that Pre 27. Then ask yourself, "Did I get a good deal?"
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04-20-2017, 04:51 AM
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Very nice! Before anyone starts talking about refinishing, restoration, etc, I'd like to throw out my two cents.
Personally, I'd leave it as is. Everything about this 357 just says it has led a storied life in the hands of someone who truly used it.
Rather than being a sad victim of some uninformed "Bubba", your new acquisition is an authentic artifact with genuine patina. Relish the chance to continue using this gun, enjoying all of it's hand-fitted, expertly tuned glory.
OK, maybe I'm getting carried away....
Jim
PS: did I mention I like it?
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04-20-2017, 05:10 AM
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Yes sir it is.
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04-20-2017, 05:27 AM
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In my opinion, a very good find at a very good price.
Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.
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04-20-2017, 06:10 AM
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Change out the plastic Pointer grips for something nicer and I think it'll be a great open carry gun.
The rust worries me, as it can return. Don't store the gun in the holster, and get a better holster.
I've owned both six and 6.5 inch barrels in this model. I think the six-inch handles just a bit better, but the longer one is fine. I don't want a DA revolver any longer and the 7.5 inch Ruger Super Blackhawk is my limit in SA's.
It's okay for small to medium deer at reasonable ranges, or javelina. I'd rather have a .44 for larger hogs or bear. But the .357, used with .38 ammo, is better for small game. And it'll kill a bear in a in a pinch, if you place the right bullet just right.
People who jack up prices on gun boards will tell you it's worth more, but I think you got a fair deal, even a good one, depending on the rust issue. The grips aren't original, which also affects collector value.
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04-20-2017, 06:21 AM
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Good deal, no doubt. A nice old package. Those "imitation" Kersages are interesting. Enjoy.
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04-20-2017, 08:05 AM
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I couldn't tell you what it's worth as I'd rather shoot than collect. Nevertheless, I doubt you got a bad deal on what was obviously somebody's working gun. You ought to letter it to at least find out where it was first shipped to. FWIW, I agree that $500 was a decent price.
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Last edited by walkin' trails; 04-20-2017 at 08:12 AM.
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04-20-2017, 08:41 AM
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Love that gun-
Hate those grips-
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04-20-2017, 08:43 AM
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Good deal for a shooter......
In a word, yes. Just look what people are getting nowadays for four or five hundred dollars.
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04-20-2017, 09:28 AM
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Thanks ya'll
Thank you for your answers...
I did look for value threads but mostly I found them to be several years old. Since the condition wasn't great I wasn't sure it was a good deal. But you guys said it, look at what 5 C notes get you today and then compare... I'm very pleased with the purchase.
I have not shot it yet, but I will this coming Saturday (God willing). I'll post an update. I want to see what this baby can do at 50 yds... and what the drop would be at 100 yds.
Since most agree this is a shooter, I will change the grips for some target wooden stocks. The plastic on the pointers feels off. One more story to tell for this gun.
I won't store it in the holster I came in, but I will open carry it (at least all day at the range).
I'll be vigilant about the rust making sure it is oiled properly.
As a comment, I don't think I have ever felt a finish this smooth. After taking off the few rust spots and giving it a rubdown, the finish is incredibly "silky smooth"... it's hard to describe the feel without starting to get carried away.
Range time update forthcoming
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04-20-2017, 09:52 AM
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I'm a big fan of the pre-model number '50's revolvers, and one like yours is at the top of my list to buy next. I have a 1954, 6" that is holding a place in my collection until I find a 6 1/2" to replace it. They are amazing revolvers, with an an extremely high level of quality and craftsmanship. For $500, I think you made nice purchase. Enjoy it.
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04-20-2017, 12:56 PM
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That Colorado Saddlery floral carved holster is the right time frame for that revolver, it looks like they've been together for a while. Nice find all the way around.
Regards,
turnerriver
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04-20-2017, 01:08 PM
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Very nice! I agree about changing the grips and leaving the finish the way it is, too many people want to refinish these old Smiths, let them be and enjoy them for what they are. It should make a fine shooter. I know what you mean about the feel of the finish, I have a couple like that.
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04-20-2017, 01:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glashaus
Very nice! I agree about changing the grips and leaving the finish the way it is, too many people want to refinish these old Smiths, let them be and enjoy them for what they are. It should make a fine shooter. I know what you mean about the feel of the finish, I have a couple like that.
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Probably a good part of the reason the price was so good is the absence of the correct 195? factory wood grips that can be pricey for nice condition ones.
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04-20-2017, 02:36 PM
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$500 for a 5-screw N frame S&W is practically un-heard of in the last few years, at least in my experience. Well done.
I'll echo what others have said about the finish. Leave it alone and just keep it clean. And, save the plastic stocks and vintage holster as keepsakes for the gun. Wood stocks (please, no rubber) and a new leather holster will do that old gun proud.
Dave
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