Pre 27

toast&tea · #1 03-27-2023, 12:42 AM

Iv'e always thought that the 2 best looking DA revolvers were the blued, 6", Colt Python and the 3 1/2" Model 27. Both have always been pretty much out of my price range. Recently however I ran across something that was more in my price range. From what I have been able to determine it's a Pre-Model 27 shipped in late 1954 or early 1955. The finish is well worn but mechanically I think it's serviceable. I took it to the range last weekend and it was extremely accurate with the .38 Specials I fired through it. Both sides show what appears to be rust but it actually feels smooth. I thought about trying to get it refinished, maybe bead blasted and hard chromed or something, but I've decided to just let it be and enjoy it for what it is.
I have a couple of questions though. First, there is a number stamped under the right grip but it doesn't match the serial number. They look pretty old and, given their condition, I find it hard to believe that someone would have used these for replacements.
Second, I thought that the front sight was pinned on these. This one definitely isn't. Any thoughts on that. I'm going to attempt to post some photos. Any information on the above, or any information in general, would be greatly appreciated.

toast&tea · #2 03-27-2023, 12:49 AM

And a few more

Muley Gil · #3 03-27-2023, 01:09 AM

The front sight IS pinned, but the pins are polished smooth.

Doc44 · #4 03-27-2023, 08:16 AM

The stocks are a little older than the .357, but are a replacement for the originals which would have been numbered to the revolver. The ramp base is pinned to the barrel with two pins that have been polished flush to the barrel rib and are difficult to see. Some revolvers did not have the pins polished and are visible. This is just a manufacturing variation.

Bill

gkitch · #5 03-27-2023, 08:45 AM

Great 5-screw 357 magnum with some character and dignity. You have given it a good home. Please do not mess with it other than perhaps cleaning it up a bit. Get a good leather holster of a classic style and take her with you to the field.

I have one much like it, although a 27-2 of early 60s vintage. It now wears favorite Herrett's Roper stocks and will soon accompany me camping and fishing for trout.

Nightowl · #6 03-27-2023, 08:52 AM

Congratulations! You have an old jewel that is a working gun. Carried a lot and shot little. I could be that it was a police gun that sat in the holster a lot and accumulated moisture and subsequent finish damage. From the appearance of the turn line and stop notches, it has not been fired a lot. I would soak it in Kroil for a few days and rub it with an old tee shirt, repeat as necessary until you are satisfied. Then a thin coat of good gun oil. Shoot often!! I love those old guns!

Hawg Rider · #7 03-27-2023, 09:07 AM

"I've always thought that the 2 best looking DA revolvers were the blued, 6", Colt Python and the 3 1/2" Model 27. Both have always been pretty much out of my price range."

For a long time I felt exactly as you did...both are great looking revolvers but out of my price range. Then one day I found this 6" Python "truck gun" (ca. 1982) at my local gun shop. It was a little nicked and scratched and was wearing Pachmayrs, but for $650 I couldn't pass it up. It cleaned up fairly well and shoots great. Minty Pythons were selling for $2000 and up at the time, so I was very pleased. Then I happened upon a fellow Forum member that was selling a slightly modified (trigger job) 3-1/2" Model 27-2 (ca. 1971) for a very fair price ($700). I jumped on that one too!. And finally, a couple of years ago a good friend's father wanted to sell off a few of his vintage firearms, one being a very nice 27-2 (ca. 1970). It had also been modified- someone installed some nice brass plates on the bottom of the stocks (reason unknown). It came in the original box with a spare hammer and trigger...I don't believe the originals have been replaced. I offered a fair price based on the market at the time, but he would only accept $675! Yes, of course I jumped on that one, too. You just never know when a great deal is going to appear.

You have a very nice .357 Magnum with some character! So what? Now you can carry it and/or shoot it without worrying about scratching it! Try using some Flitz polish and a microfiber cloth to gently polish up the finish. You may need to blast some Gun Scrubber or other cleaner into the insides to remove any residual gunk and dried oil and smooth out the action. I only have one 5-screw .357 Magnum, a 6-1/2" ca. 1955. Maybe one of these days I'll stumble across one with a 3-1/2" bbl. And you just may find that 6" Python you're looking for...Enjoy!

raljr1 · #8 03-27-2023, 10:01 AM

My 357 magnum is only 33 serial numbers later than yours. Mine shipped in April 1955.

Robert

Muley Gil · #9 03-27-2023, 11:38 AM

"It had also been modified- someone installed some nice brass plates on the bottom of the stocks (reason unknown)."

Back in the '80s-'90s, quite a number of police offices in the Southeast (and maybe other areas) had these buttplates added to their revolvers. Many were engraved with the S&W logo, their names or initials, etc. Some officers claimed the buttplates gave better balance, some said that the plates protected the grips from getting banged up getting into and out of patrol cars. Perhaps a few used their revolvers as impact weapons.

toast&tea · #10 03-27-2023, 11:20 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm really

happy that i ran across it

toast&tea · #11 03-27-2023, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkitch

Great 5-screw 357 magnum with some character and dignity. You have given it a good home. Please do not mess with it other than perhaps cleaning it up a bit. Get a good leather holster of a classic style and take her with you to the field.

I have one much like it, although a 27-2 of early 60s vintage. It now wears favorite Herrett's Roper stocks and will soon accompany me camping and fishing for trout.

I'm thinking about one of El Paso Saddlery's Austin holsters in basketweave.

toast&tea · #12 03-27-2023, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightowl

Congratulations! You have an old jewel that is a working gun. Carried a lot and shot little. I could be that it was a police gun that sat in the holster a lot and accumulated moisture and subsequent finish damage. From the appearance of the turn line and stop notches, it has not been fired a lot. I would soak it in Kroil for a few days and rub it with an old tee shirt, repeat as necessary until you are satisfied. Then a thin coat of good gun oil. Shoot often!! I love those old guns!

T
This sounds like a plan

toast&tea · #13 03-27-2023, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg Rider

"I've always thought that the 2 best looking DA revolvers were the blued, 6", Colt Python and the 3 1/2" Model 27. Both have always been pretty much out of my price range."

For a long time I felt exactly as you did...both are great looking revolvers but out of my price range. Then one day I found this 6" Python "truck gun" (ca. 1982) at my local gun shop. It was a little nicked and scratched and was wearing Pachmayrs, but for $650 I couldn't pass it up. It cleaned up fairly well and shoots great. Minty Pythons were selling for $2000 and up at the time, so I was very pleased. Then I happened upon a fellow Forum member that was selling a slightly modified (trigger job) 3-1/2" Model 27-2 (ca. 1971) for a very fair price ($700). I jumped on that one too!. And finally, a couple of years ago a good friend's father wanted to sell off a few of his vintage firearms, one being a very nice 27-2 (ca. 1970). It had also been modified- someone installed some nice brass plates on the bottom of the stocks (reason unknown). It came in the original box with a spare hammer and trigger...I don't believe the originals have been replaced. I offered a fair price based on the market at the time, but he would only accept $675! Yes, of course I jumped on that one, too. You just never know when a great deal is going to appear.

You have a very nice .357 Magnum with some character! So what? Now you can carry it and/or shoot it without worrying about scratching it! Try using some Flitz polish and a microfiber cloth to gently polish up the finish. You may need to blast some Gun Scrubber or other cleaner into the insides to remove any residual gunk and dried oil and smooth out the action. I only have one 5-screw .357 Magnum, a 6-1/2" ca. 1955. Maybe one of these days I'll stumble across one with a 3-1/2" bbl. And you just may find that 6" Python you're looking for...Enjoy!

Those are beautiful. I currently have 4 Smiths. The one I posted about, a 642, a 6" Model 28 from 1978-79 that I believe is unfired in the original box, and a Model 64 with the 4" standard/ skinny/pencil barrel. I looked for the 64 for quite a while, but that was part of the fun.

Retired W4 · #14 03-28-2023, 07:40 AM

Just to add to what has already been said, that is a great revolver with plenty of character. I'm sure you are going to enjoy owning and shooting it. Oh yea, if it were mine I would not change a thing on it.

6GUNSONLY · #15 03-28-2023, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

"It had also been modified- someone installed some nice brass plates on the bottom of the stocks (reason unknown)."

Back in the '80s-'90s, quite a number of police offices in the Southeast (and maybe other areas) had these buttplates added to their revolvers. Many were engraved with the S&W logo, their names or initials, etc. Some officers claimed the buttplates gave better balance, some said that the plates protected the grips from getting banged up getting into and out of patrol cars. Perhaps a few used their revolvers as impact weapons.

My uncle was an Alabama State Trooper from the early 60s until his death (killed in the line of duty) in 1974 or 75. I remember his duty weapon having such a brass plate on the butt of the target stocks. Not sure what his gun was, I suspect a model 28.