A friend has this pistol that has been hiding from him in his safe for a good number of years. He is willing to rehome it to me for a fee. Just wondering what the ballpark value is, I did not get a shot of the serial. I do not have a ton of experience with S&W, I have a 642 airweight and mp-15 and that is about it from them. He has an old article on it valuing it around 1200 but it is from the 70s. Thanks!

Dispo

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I would pay $1800 for it , if that helps

Charlie

It's pre-1955. If he will sell it for $1200, take it.

Pre-27s with 3 1/2 inch barrels are at or near # 1 as the "holy grail" of S&W revolvers for many S&W fans.

With only a picture to judge it by, I expect most will still agree $1200 is not too far off.

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wanna do right-- not right now

$1200! Jump now. Good price on both sided. Every body happy.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

The article is old, he says is is probably a 1800-2000 gun. Will sell to me for 1400. I am not much of a collector, I shoot all my guns. But if it is a worthwhile investment I would consider it. I already have all the stuff to load 38 and 357s on my shelf, look at that!

Ask if he has the box and tools; likely not, but those do increase value. I'd be OK @ 1400, but how many of those have you seen? May be the time to buy...

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50 Years of DSOTM

Buy it now. You won't see another one at that price.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

As noted above, it's a sought after gun in the most desirable barrel length (at present). Most guns of this era (1950-'57) have slight to heavy wear, but this one has no apparent finish damage at all. If you want it $12-1400 is a very good deal. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I recently gave $1780 for mine. Shipped 1950, original box, tools or paper.

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

Thanks guys, I will inquire if he has the box and paperwork. I'm not sure what year he bought it. Very good ballpark numbers for me.

Since you are friends, after he signed bill of sale gifting it to me, I wouldn't charge him more than $20.00 per month to "rehome" it. Room and board is expensive these days!!

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PTLAPTA!

Slap a set of ivories on it and tell everybody your name is Patton! That is simply one of the finest specimens I've ever seen. But get our your wallet...

Some 5 or so years ago, I foolishly passed on a 4" (I think) pre-Model 27 from the mid-1950s for $1250. It showed more use but someone had put a pair of Cokes on it. And that would have more than made up for the condition.

Aren't 4" pre-27s about a rare as hen's teeth, or is there something I don't know about them?

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

That's correct. The 4" was not a cataloged length back then.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here's a factory 4 inch pre-27 I used to have. Sent off to auction. Shipped on
April, 22, 1957. All original.

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Appears you have a good friend there!
$1200 w/o box, tools and papers
$1400 complete w/ box, tools & papers

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Fred
S&WCA 3238

JUMP-QUICK!

Don't miss out on one of the finest revolvers ever made. If you decide to pass on it, tell your buddy there's a long list of people here that will buy it.

I just gave $1150 for my 5 screw, 3.5 inch Pre-27 last week. Original box and tools, but no paperwork. Buy it, you won't regret it, I don't

De Oppresso Liber

Dipso:

First of all, let me welcome you to the finest forum on the Internet!! I hope that you stick around, you can learn an awful lot here. Share what you know, and enjoy the expert advice that you can pick up here.....

Well, let me make it unanimous. Buy it!! This may not be a "rare" gun, but how many of them have you ever seen?? A pre 27, 3 1/2", in super condition?? Not only that, but you know that one of us would buy it from you if you decide you don't like it, so what do you have to lose.

Most of us would not only have already bought it, but would be posting pictures on this forum, bragging about our new treasure!!! (And justifiably!!!).

On top of that, you know that your buddy has not abused it, and exactly what you are getting.

As soon as you get it, we need to see some really detailed photos here!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I don't know anything about the value, but wow! That thing is gorgeous! An N-frame is an awfully big revolver for .357, but it would be a pleasure to shoot with relatively low recoil.

Let me put it this way. I too am more of a shooter than a collector. I have a fair sized number of S&W revolvers, and about 8 of them are 357s. But, I don't have a model 27 or pre model 27. If somebody offered me that gun right there for $1400 right now I would have one and a couple of model 28s would be going down the road.

The model 27 and its predecessors are S&W icons.

That pre-27 is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pics.

1500 as shown 2000 with box , tools , etc. all day any day

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Ruby Ridge

I'd have no issues with buying it for 1400.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I Got this 1956 357, with the ugly 6" bbl. a few years ago. I traded a Win. M94 straight across for it. I was into the carbine $75. Now that's a deal. Big Larry

???????????

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Well??? Did ya buy it yet?? If you even think you like revolvers, that's one heck of a way to get into the large frames. Here's my pre-27 wearing diamond targets. The one you're showing us appears to be in better shape, but I got mine for, um, less. I have the original magnas, but they're a little rough.

Yeah, that's one ugly beast. Happy to give you $200 for it.

Well worth $1200.00. I have a shooter that is not as nice that I wouldn't take that for it!

Not yet. The guy who has it lives a ways away from me. It might take a little bit to coordinate it but it is not moving otherwise. I live in upstate NY and it is a **** state as far as gun rights are concerned. Selling a pistol legally is no easy task. I most defiantly will have some more pretty pictures for you guys to enjoy in the next few weeks. Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it.

Holy ****! you guys will be very floored soon. I promise

and.... I forgot to even ask about a box/tools and papers. Because I often help out someone close to him he is giving me this at an INSANE price. And i just said OK I will take it. so we will see. Hopefully tomorrow

Really nice. and IMO, very fairly priced

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John

I don't want to even say the price and jinx it. Lower amount of money than anyone would probably guess given these numbers.

In all of my time at gun shows, websites, etc., I have only come across one pre-27, about 5 years ago and it was this dreaded 6" .357. It was "to say the least" cheap at less than $350 even though it is all scratched up. Who ever Will Penny was, I could not track him down, although his address is on the grip and scratched on the frame on both sides.. But, I sure love his S&W. It is a dream to shoot.

Don't even look back..****n with it!

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I have never fired mine. I have a pre M19 and a M19-0 that I have never fired either. I have fired my Python and it is extremely accurate at 25 yards. Big Larry

After MANY hours in the car I have myself that pre 27 357 magnum. The blueing is perfect except on the bottom of the trigger guard. The checking needs to be cleans on the sights. (any suggestions here on method/materials?) No box, no tools or papers. It belonged to an LEO originally, the friend I got it from went to buy a different gun from him back in 95 and the guy was a little hard up for cash and sold him this one too, which he hesitantly took. Sometimes things have a way of following you home. Like today for example, I went for the one 357 and this 45 came home too. Never been fired all the goodies in the box. Damnedest thing happened to us both. The 45 he just wanted to see go to a good home, I think he sold it for less then the original price tag Let me know what you guys think, serial on the mag is S 1244##. 55-56 maybe?

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more photos

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Clean up. If the top strap checkering is showing some rust, don't try to scrap it off. The very best thing is KROIL, it is a penetrating oil. Soak it for several days in Kroil and it will dissolve alot or all of the rust. If the gun is rusted to the point of being pitted, its just going to be pitted. But Kroil is great stuff. If there is any rust residue left after the soaking, you can rub it lightly with a copper pad soaked in Kroil. Use a Chore Boy copper pad, it is 100% copper and will not harm the blue. I by mistake use some copper coated steel wool and it did scratch the bluing. Just make sure it is pure copper, and keep it wet with Kroil. I have substituted other penetrating oil but Kroil is the best.

Charlie

I took a dry never used toothbrush to it and it looks better. It is a nice soft brush so it did not get it all but it looks a little better now. Need to get it stopped for sure.

I believe (based on little smart phone photos) that the .45 is a model 625-4 Springfield Armory commemorative. Congratulations on getting them both!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Correct sir. From 1994, has yet to be fired.

You done good, twice! What a way to join the true S&W addicts club. Now you're hooked and there is no escape. Embrace it and enjoy.

Congratulations on a classic revolver!

Curl

...good friends are hard to find...especially ones that will give you deals like that!! Easily $3K+ worth of "investment"....

Bob

Has anyone paid the 75 bucks to the historical for the history of the gun? I see they offer it on the S&W website. Seems expensive for a piece of paper if that is all you get. Still I am tempted for the 357. Anyone have an idea of the date of manufacture? S# is S 1244##

It basically tells you where it shipped to and the configuration it shipped in (trying to determine originality). Sometimes you get lucky (particular person or Agency), but usually it's just to some dept. store or distributor.

I don't mind paying the $$, as I love the history of these guns. But I'm not sure I'd pay the $$ on anything newer than 1950, unless I suspected something unique about the piece.

I don't have the year of manufacture right now, as all my books are boxed-up for a pending move.

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Watch & Pray