Hi All,

New member here although I have been a gun collector for 40 years. Just got this model 27, ser# 21600x. It came with target grips but I am thinking that is not probably what was on it originally? If anyone can help, I would like to find out what original grips it would have been shipped with.
I know there is a separate thread for date from serial #, but since I was here , thought I would ask.
I tried to search the forum but that didn't work too well.

Thanks for your help, and a great forum!

Post-War S Series N frames:

S62,489 – S67,999……..1946 - Early 1947
S68,000 – S71,999……….Late 1947 – Early 1948
S72,000 – S72,499……….Late 1948 - Early 1949
S72,500 – S74,999……….Late 1949 – Early 1950
S75,000 – S80,499……….Late 1950 – Early 1951
S80,500 – S85,999……….Late 1952 – Early 1952
S86,000 – S94,999…….…Late 1952 – Early 1953
S95,000 – S102,999…….Late 1953 – Early 1954
S103,000 – S139,999……Late 1954 – Early 1955*
S140,000 – S149,999….Late 1955 – Early 1956
S150,000 – S175,999……Late 1956 – Early 1957
S176,000 – S181,999……Late 1957 – Early 1958
S182,000 – S194,499……Late 1958 – Early 1959
S194,500 – S206.999……Late 1959 – Early 1960
S207,000 – S219,999……Late 1960 – Early 1961
S220,000 – S227,999……Late 1961 – Early 1962
S228,000 – S231,999……Late 1962 – Early 1963
S232,000 – S235.999……Late 1963 – Early 1964
S236,000 – S257,999……Late 1964 – Early 1965
S258,000 – S261,999……Late 1965 – Early 1966
S262,000 – S289,999……Late 1966 – Early 1967
S290,000 – S304,999……Late 1967 – Early 1968
S305,000 – S329,999……Late 1968 – Early 1969
S330,000 – S333,454……Late 1969 – Early 1970


*Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. It at least one case a gun has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 4-screw gun.


N Series N Frames:

N1 – N60,000………….......1970-72
N60,001 – N 190,000…...1972-74
N190,001 – N430,000…...1975 – 77
N430.001 – N 550,000…..1978
N550,001 – N580,000….. 1979
N580,001 – N790,000…...1980
N790,001 – N932,999...…1980-83

__________________
Eccentric old coot

Welcome to the forum. Lots of experts here, I just stopped by to say Hi!!

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I can help you a little. A 27 could have shipped with target stocks. It may have shipped with magna style. Only a factory letter can say for sure. Your serial # should be on the gun frame butt. There should be a letter before the number. Probably a N. The best thing you could do is post pictures of it. That would help to solve the mysteries. Bob

From what the guys here told me a while ago if you have the box & there is the letter S marked on the end flap for grips that means it shipped with magna (or service) grips

Welcome, my 27-2 3 1/2 inch shipped with Magna grips. They're beautiful handguns. A wealth of information to come.

My understanding is that up to a certain mid-70's date, before the wood boxes contained the deluxe Model 27, 29, and 57, the guns (model 27's) came with service stocks. After the wood boxes were introduced, the Model 27 came with Target Goncalvo Alves wood grip/stocks.
Of course, that's my opinion...., I could be wrong....

Thanks so much guys. It is an "N" prefix serial # and the box does have an "S" for stocks. Can someone enlighten me on the grip naming conventions? The small are service or magna?

Thanks again!

From the post-WWII start-up of the .357 Magnum, until 1975, the gun could have shipped in nearly any configuration. Target or standard hammer and trigger, or one or the other, or Magna or Target stocks, or any combination thereof. So the only way to know what is original is a Jinks letter.

In 1975, S&W standardized the Model 27 to ship with Target hammer, trigger and stocks, packaged with the wood presentation case.

Nice grab.

From the post-WWII start-up of the .357 Magnum, until 1975, the gun could have shipped in nearly any configuration. Target or standard hammer and trigger, or one or the other, or Magna or Target stocks, or any combination thereof. So the only way to know what is original is a Jinks letter.

In 1975, S&W standardized the Model 27 to ship with Target hammer, trigger and stocks, packaged with the wood presentation case.

The 'S' on a box from the mid-to-late 1970's would represent Magna stocks. Targets would have a 'T' there.

Nice grab.

Are the cardboard boxes taller and have five holed staples for the Target Grips? Best

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

The box does indeed have 5 holed staples. Does this suggest it was shipped with the target grips?

Thanks!

MC57:

Ok, that's it...no more secret stuff about 5 holed staples until we see some pictures!!! We love pictures around here!!

Just kidding (well, not about the pictures)... Don't you love this place?? The finest forum on the Internet, and some of the most knowledgeable folks as far as Smith and Wesson lore is concerned!!

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I have a blue, 3 1/2, M27-2 that was purchased new 9/07/81, ser# 610xxx It has 3Ts and is in a blue cardboard box with the correct info on the end label and all the tools and paperwork. There is not a wooden box. I bought it unfired about 3 years from the original purchaser. Larry