Question on Old "27"

Vettepartz · #1 08-25-2018, 02:49 PM

I have this .357 Magnum Post War Pre-Model 27, or whatever you want to call it, with the 8 3/8" barrel. It is in excellent shape and looks to hardly have ever been fired. According to the factory letter it was shipped November 26, 1954 in this configuration. It has all the parts except the tools that should have been with it.

I hardly ever see these pre-27's with this long barrel, and wonder if someone may have an idea of about how many of them were made.

Nightowl · #2 08-25-2018, 05:15 PM

I have one, serial in the S95xxx range, but have no idea how many long barrel guns were made. Just my observation, however, is that there were less 8 3/8 guns made than other barrel lengths, except the 6 1/2.

Great looking gun!!

bobbyd · #3 08-25-2018, 05:32 PM

For some unexplained reason, 3-1/2", 5" and 4" all seem to be more popular than the 8-3/8"...maybe just too much of a good thing?

Bakebfr480 · #4 08-25-2018, 05:48 PM

That's a beauty!

kennethg · #5 08-25-2018, 06:24 PM

That is one great revolver.

Eddietruett · #6 08-25-2018, 06:39 PM

I for one would love to own that beauty

rct269 · #7 08-25-2018, 07:27 PM

You want numbers? We have numbers!! Now these numbers are from a while back (1935-1939), but they're the only game in town.

There were 5,224 357's produced in this time span----all special order guns. You could have any barrel length you wanted between 3 1/2" and 8 3/4" (in 1/4" increments at first, but a little spat with the shooting match sanctioning bodies' officials resulted in S&W making the 8/38" barrel available----that providing the maximum allowed sight radius of 10").

So----before you could even have an 8 3/8" barrel (the "pre-spat" period), here's what's what: 26 folks bought 8" barrels; 8 bought 8 1/4"; 10 bought 8 1/2"; and 735 bought 8 3/4". 38 8 3/8" were purchased "post spat".

Now, the total number of 357's with barrel lengths over 6 1/2" and less than 8" made during this period was 169. 169 out of 5,224 is the numerical equivalent of "Who cares?!!"

As one who has owned an 8 3/8" .357, I can tell you they're nice to look at; and that they're not real handy.

Ralph Tremaine

hibbs · #8 08-25-2018, 07:58 PM

I have 2 Pre-27's in 8 3/8. Both are in the S167xxx sn.range. Had another years ago in the S76xxx range. Loved shooting them all, when I had the strength to hold them steady!!!

Richard

Thinnes · #9 08-26-2018, 03:40 PM

If it was made from ‘46 to ‘50 it’s a transitional model and very valuable. Long action or short?

Oops, I see it shipped in 1954. Still a very nice gun.

S&WIowegan · #10 08-26-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyd

For some unexplained reason, 3-1/2", 5" and 4" all seem to be more popular than the 8-3/8"...maybe just too much of a good thing?

Just FYI: the 4"bbl. Model 27s were not introduced Post WW II until the very late 1970s. Pre-War 357 magnums could be ordered with 4"bbls. Of course Highway Patrolman were available in 4" from inception in 1954.