I am looking at purchasing a pre-27 that was made around 1955. It has the gold box with blue writing. At that time, would it have come with any paperwork and/or tools with it? Is there anything special to watch out for?

Would have had the manual, Helpful Hints pamphlet, black steel knurled SAT, cleaning rod, mop (swab), and brush. Both the mop and brush would have a brass winding versus the later steel ones.

Your pre27 would have come with a large piece of Nox-Rust paper, a Helpful Hints brochure, aluminum looped cleaned rod, brass core mop & brush, and blued knurled sight adjustment tool. The tool kit would have came wrapped in brown tissue paper or in a thin tissue paper bag.

There were no manuals prior to 1959/60. The first printing I have seen were marked January 1960


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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

... good advice from the above posters - Kris and Curtis. Here is a photo of a relatively complete package:






Please pardon the scratching on the revolver.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Yeah Kris is right, the manual is in the lid of the box. There should also be a warranty card.