Looking at a few 27-2 and notice that some have a nice blue finish with a nice shine.
Then there is the same model in mint condition but with what appears to be a dull or a matte blue finish.

Did the 27-2 come in different types of finish?

Earlier S&W's of the stature of the 27's were polished well and the bluing process produced a deep, rich dark blue that one could describe as having "depth".

Enter the EPA and it was determined that the chemicals traditionally used in the older bluing processes were too toxic so the process was changed, resulting in more of a 'black' finish.

I have seen some 27's that did not seem to get the polishing attention others have, but perhaps you were looking at a refinished specimen or the 27's homlier cousin, the 28 ? No checkering on the top strap and the gun was designed to be offered cheaper (though you wouldn't know it these days ) and aimed at the law enforcement market, primarily.

There is no doubt, the examples of the bluing craft evident in better specimens from the 1950's is absolutely head and shoulders above what is generally available today.

But as far as I know a matte finish was never used on a 27 from the factory.

Could be you have seen the Model 28-2. Very similar, but with a more dull duty finish.

__________________
Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

All 27-2 revolvers were available with a bright blue or nickel finish. Anything other than one of these would have to be a special order and that would be very rare. Some guns were polished better than others and that causes finishes between guns to appear different.

Bill

+1 on what Bill said as I have both the nickel finish which all look the same and some with the blued finish and the finish varies based on the polishing done. None of them have the matt blue finish found on the Model 28-2's that own.

Here is the auction in question:
S&W 27-2, .357, blue, 6 1/2" new in wooden box : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Is it my eyes, the image or really a dull finish?

Looks like a later "blacker" finish and the lighting in the photography. Judging from experience, I'd think a thorough cleaning and a bit of wax and it will exhibit a nice finish.

Looks like a mid to late 70s gun. The quality of finish was very variable during that time. Besides variation from gun to gun, you will frequently see specimens with different level of polish on the barrel and cylinder compared to the frame from revolvers made during that time.

Also from the pictures, there seems to be a film on the gun, maybe from oil or a preservative. Like another poster said, it will shine up with cleaning. Otherwise, it appears to be a typical example from that time. It has a 6" barrel, by the way.

I agree with NFrame Fred that in the the picture the flash washed out the shine on the blue and that with a good cleaning and waxing the gun shuld have a beautiful high luster blue.

Appears to be smeared with some kind of goop. Not unusual to see someone put a gun on auction, where the photo is almost all you have to go by, and the first impression is bad. If you can't see detail, it only leaves a limmited number of conclusions, fitst of which is that the seller is trying to hide something, but maybe they just aren't a savy seller? I would ask to see the revolver stripped of the grease and more close up photo's. Flapjack.

Price is good--I am not fond of 6 inchers though.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

I have a '75 model 27-2 and I can almost see my reflection on the gun its so polished

Almost? Look at a good one some time. You can just about use them as a shaving mirror.

Never heard of waxing high gloss Smiths. Is there a preservative b

Sorry, but was asking if the wax process has a preservative benefit, and, if so, can anyone make recommendations?
Thanks to all, always!!!!!!!!

Buy a small tin of Renaissance wax and apply a thin layer. Buff with a microfiber cloth. Great for protecting the finish and will not show finger prints.

Who are you calling homely there buddy...

M28-2 with BK grip adapter:


M28 with Ahrends cocobolo tactical finger groove:


And 27's don't even have their own special mystery mark...



If you want homlier then look not further than the 327:



But I still love her...

And a shout out for 5 Stars for all the six shot N frames!!!!

Here is a mid 1970's gun.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

Seems to me that Smith's from that time frame were covered with a preservative "grease" of some type at the factory which had to be removed with solvent and it looks to me that the preservative hasn't been removed yet. When the stocks are removed and the gun is "degreased", it will look just fine.

Looking at the presentation case liners, it looks to me like a 6" barrel and not a 6 1/2". On the 6 1/2" liners, the tip of the barrel comes just about to the edge of the lower liner.



Bruce

I love my homely 28 just as much as my purty 27.

Attached Images

GEDC0173.JPG (130.6 KB, 46 views)

Light intensity and diffusion, direction, color temperature, natural or artificial light, all can contribute to the way bluing transfers in digital photography. So does the way our monitors translate the digital image.

Three pictures below are of the same gun using different natural lighting angles. These are mainly pictures intended for record keeping and insurance purposes and are very low resolution. So don't be too critical guys...

The top 27 picture could easily pass for a well waxed 28. The second for a matte 28 if it didn't have the 3 T's and the 5" barrel, and the third more closely resembles it's actual look and that of other unwaxed 27's of its period.... Again, they are all the same gun.

Light can be a very deceptive thing. Perhaps some others could provide some pictures that could demonstrate this lighting angle issue much better.

A gentleman is selling what is obviously (on the crane), a Mod 27-2 3&1/2" with a matte finish. Reads 27-2. never seen one like it. He's asking $800

Attached Images

	_s_w_model_27_2_357_magnum.jpg (64.6 KB, 60 views)
	2117548_02_s_w_model_27_2.jpg (61.9 KB, 58 views)

Zombie thread.
Looks like bead blast blue.
S&W does this type of refinish.
A fool and his money would soon be parted on that one.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Meaning?

1) 3 year old thread resurrected.
2) What it is.
3) What they do.
4) Don't buy.

Understand?

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I would buy that one. I think it's stunning in satin.

It does look like a different trigger than I'm used to seeing on them though.

Any blued or stainless gun can be bead blasted to remove the polished finish and to each his own but why ruin a nice 27 when the 28 exists ...unless the finish is ruined already.

At some point enough people were smoothing their trigger faces that S&W took notice and started producing a smooth "Combat" trigger as standard and option on many models.
Most of my post 1982 4" guns have it as standard ,
IMO its alot easier on the trigger finger in double action.

So it's a "Smooth Combat Trigger" if it's not the regular skinny trigger but not as wide as the target trigger and it has a smooth face? I've seen that trigger plenty of times and have it on a M10 but I've never seen one on any M27 before now. I guess nothing says it couldn't be added.