Bought a 27-2 5inch barrel blued 97% all matching markings and #'s no box no papers pachmayr grips. Weird thing is the serial # starts with and S i usually see N serial #'s on these guns. sn#s297818. Can you guys tell me the born on date and the value please.

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THERES NO PLACE LIKE 1ST PLACE

The "S" serial prefix was used on N frames after WWII up until around 1969 IIRC.

Your 5" Model 27-2 likely came with non diamond Magnas but target stocks were an option.
The 5" and 3.5" versions seem to be in highest demand, price is subject to condition and originality of package, if the rest of the gun is clean no pitting rust or major blems probably in the $750 range for a clean shooter,
LNIB with docs stocks and literature probably $1200 ish

Darn you were fast Thankx alot. I paid $450 so i Feel better now lol.

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THERES NO PLACE LIKE 1ST PLACE

I think I recall one selling here recently in the 1200 ish range. I believe it was in excellent condition in its original box. I think engine49guy is spot on.

Bluing is nice hardly a turn mark on the wheel. no pitting a couple of small marks on the cylinder and a pliers mark on the extractor rod. Bore shinny and new looking forcing cone looks good/excellent. Lockup is tight.

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THERES NO PLACE LIKE 1ST PLACE

The N frame .357 is an interesting gun and the only S&W to have the checkered top strap and barrel rib.

IIRC its evolution goes back to 1935 when the first 357 Magnum handguns appear on the large N frame that up until that point were reserved for 44 special and 45 Colt / ACP revolvers.

In 1955 S&W introduced the K frame .357 Combat Magnum aka Pre Model 19 .
By the early 1980's the new L frame .357 Magnum appears ,
BTW...A few years ago S&W began offering the little J frame in .357 Magnum ...which are a bit on the small side for .357 IMO....

Although large by todays standards the N frame .357 is a pleasure to fire as the bigger N frame cylinder just spins up so nice and smooth making it very easy to shoot especially when combined with its extra heft which dampens recoil quite a bit more than the smaller frames , all these make it my first choice for full house Magnum loads on the range.