Much thanks to long tube SME RKMesa, for his guidance in buying my pre 27 nickel, to go along with blue pre 27 long tube.

Please excuse the poor photos as I'm using a cell phone at the FFL. I'll take better photos of both guns when their both out of jail (I pick up the blue one Monday!).

Both guns are 1954 vintage (the blue S107929, was shipped on 15 Apr 54), and I'm not sure about this nickel, but not that far off at SN109558.

Here's a few photos, I'd like to share nonetheless.

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Some grip off photos, & top strap!

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Back strap had embedded dirt, but other wise overall pretty nice for a 63 year old revolver. The blue gun is stupendous as far as finish, and I would say the nickel is pretty darn good, with no pitting, flaking, cloudyness, etc.

I will clean the gun up and learn a little more, about overall condition. Thanks for looking!

Great looking .357 Magnum. It should go well with your bright blue version. The target stocks are also very nice, but a little new for your revolver. It most likely shipped with Magna stocks in 1954 and period correct targets would not have the relieved area on the left stock panel.

Bill

Holy macaroni !!!! That top strap!! To die for! Have not found my 27 or facsimile thereof yet, but I hope mine is just close to being as nice and beautiful as yours. Good find, enjoy

Thanks, Doc! Sharp as usual on the details. I'm always glad to hear your comments and explanations. Well, I'll be hoping I slid under the wire, with the SCSW stating, these grips were used from the mid 50's to '67. I'll get a letter for clarification, though most likely you are on the money as usual!

I wanted to add Doc, that reading the S.C.S.W. is one thing, knowing the subject matter from experience and understanding is another. I very much appreciate your contributions to this forum. I've just started collecting (use that term loosely) in February, and I have learned exponentially as a direct result of experienced gunmen/collectors such as yourself and others on this forum. It has more than paid for the modest forum contribution. Thank you!

Man, I'm lovin it, your comment, that is! Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to add, while I was at the FFL (to sell my 64-7) coincidentally a friend of my FFL was picking up his immaculate 5" (I believe) 4 screw no dash 27! Very nice! Here's a pick of my 27-2 6", devil gun(?). Gotta love those 27's!

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Elegant and beautiful.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Very rare gun in the Nickel finish and 8-3/8" barrel length. Not many folks have one of those. Congratulations!

Thank you! That darn RKMesa, has got me loving these long tubes, and I do find they are elegant, indeed!

Well, thank you! I may very well have passed on this one, but thanks to the many great people (RKMesa in this case) on this forum, pointing me in the right direction, I've made better buying decisions.

Sweet, I love the long toms. For some reason the don't ring everyone's bell
which is fine by me, usually the prices are lower

nice piece of kit! As good as it gets.

Has the nickle been shot at all? Doesn't look like it, great gun.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

I was not a fan of these long tubes, but not having a pre 27, and the blue pre 27 looking so good, I took a stab at it. I was so impressed once I was able to handle the gun, and appreciated the elegance, and all the checkering. I find myself now looking very hard for another one.

One thing, I've noticed on the 29's, the prices are usually pretty stout, as it seems a lot of hunters & collectors seek them out, vs the 27 long tubes.

I agree with you, it just means we can acquire higher quality LT 27's at not so competitive prices! Cheers!

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You know what, in my pre occupation with the buyer of my 64-7 (as I was taking photos of the gun, in walks the buyer), I didn't pay close attention, and put the gun away before I had time to really scrutinize it.

I'll take a look in a couple of days, when I pick up the blue gun. Man o Man, I can be really out to lunch sometimes, lol! I'll let you know soon!

True, whereas the blue is the complete package (minus whatever manuals came with this vintage), this one stands alone, but hey, I can live with that! Thank you!

Congratulations!! As KSK said, there are not a lot of the long-tube Nickel Pre-27s out there. And those that have them are mighty slow to part with them... I am glad that you jumped on it and I look forward to more photos. BTW, yours is only 17 SNs different from this nickel pre-27 (March 1955 ship date) which lands at the other end of the length spectrum...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Wow, all together another level of the pre 27's! I should be congratulating you! Any how thanks for setting me straight.

Where I got hesitant was due to my reliance on S.W.S.C. vs first hand experience. For example the S.W.S.C. states though the nickel is rare, it also states, "Slight premium for nickel in higher condition grades."

Fortunately, I was able to get your opinion as SME long tube pre 27 specialist, and I'm glad I did! I'll get some better photos when, she get's out of jail. I'm working on my C&R FFL so it should be soon! No more 1 per 30 day, & jail waiting time!

Nice to have experience to draw on, with forum members glad to help out another Smith & Wesson collectors! Thanks!

I forgot to add, how I love those non relieved smooth Rosewood targets. So glad they came with my blue gun!

Richard, I'm going to quit reading any post you post in. Just looking at one of your engraved guns makes me disappointed in my entire collection, dag nabbit!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Great news! I received my S.W.H.F. letter today on my nickel pre 27 long barrel. However, I'm still somewhat unclear on the stocks.

The letter (attached) says my gun shipped with "checkered walnut grips" Is that equivalent to "checkered walnut target stocks" or "checkered walnut magna stocks"? :

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Nice, I too have a long tube smith, #105992 Nickel plated. I thought it was from 54, now I'll have to send off for the letter. Mine has a snowflake behind the serial # and doesn't look as good as yours. Nice find !

Thanks for the compliment! They are such beautiful guns, and that RKMesa now has me hooked the these long barrels. I just ordered a 1956 blue 8 & 3/8" shooter, as my '54 blue gun looks so immaculate, I don't want to take a chance banging it up, at the range!

Yours would still fall in the 1954 vintage with that serial number, as well. Don't hesitate to post a pic of yours, when you get a chance!

I have to find who on this site has the twin nickel, that shipped with my gun, and buy it off them cheap!

Very fun... By the way, the 3.5" engraved one I posted above also shipped to Charles Greenblatt Co in NYC...


Typically the "checkered walnut grips" would refer to the standard grips for the gun - in this case magnas would be most likely. That would be consistent with Bill's note in post 4 above. BTW, I love the target stocks on the 8.375"ers.

This one shipped ten months later in July 1955 and my letter says the same "checkered walnut grips" and I believe that the stocks on this one do number to the gun.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Yes, more for us, at lower prices!

Then there's my answer, as far as I can see. I do prefer the targets as well.

Sometimes things line up and sometimes they don't, and how many of us have changed one thing or another on a gun we own, and then imagine the passage of 60 years. Well, I have my answer, thanks for clarifying, RK!

I'm happy to have such a pulchritude of Smith & Wesson craftsmanship, and yours the same, but the complete package. Cheers!

By the way, you've got me hooked on these long tubes, so as stated above, I'll have a shooter's grade pre 27 longtube, with red ramp, "target trigger", and some "beat up" 70's grips. Should show up at the end of next week, with photos to follow! So thanks RK!