27-2 On The Way- With Pics

Teufelhunden82 · #1 04-08-2018, 04:31 PM

Long time reader, seldom poster here. I just started the adoption process of a 27-2 from a dealer in Texas I found on Armslist. SN is S/n N134xx. I’m not sure the box is original to the gun but I’m not too worried about that. I paid $1395 which I know isn’t exactly a steal, but I figure I’ll only cry once on this one. She’s a beaut! Can anybody tell me when she was born? Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Teufelhunden82 · #2 04-08-2018, 04:33 PM

More pics.

Teufelhunden82 · #3 04-08-2018, 04:34 PM

More pics.....just in case.

Muley Gil · #4 04-08-2018, 05:58 PM

Is there a number written on the bottom of the box in white grease pencil?

Teufelhunden82 · #5 04-08-2018, 06:02 PM

Not sure, those are the only pictures I have.

Aemsl69 · #6 04-08-2018, 06:07 PM

Congrats! Nice gun

Kingspoke · #7 04-08-2018, 07:52 PM

Those beauties are hard to get and I don't think you paid too much. I just paid $1399, plus tax & shipping, on mine. It came with the display case, shipping carton, tools, and orig. papers.

The 3.5" are getting harder to find, and command top dollar, among the 27's. I just received this one, at my FFL last week.

Here's a some of picks of mine. It hasn't been fired much but has an apparent turn line. These guns are just awesome looking 27's, and the 5 screws seem to be in Python territory as far as pricing.

Very excited to get one of these 3.5's in this type of condition.

RobertJ. · #8 04-08-2018, 07:58 PM

Very nice!

I am envious!!

Troystat · #9 04-08-2018, 08:31 PM

Really nice looking revolver, hope you shoot it and if you do let us know how you like it.

bushmaster1313 · #10 04-08-2018, 08:48 PM

Serial number is 1969-1972
Not sure if grips are original to that gun

rbmac52 · #11 04-08-2018, 08:53 PM

Grips are not original to the gun but are just perfect nonetheless. What I like about them especially is that the sideplate trademark stamping (which is in the magna position) is completely exposed and not partially covered by what would be the usual right side target stock panel. Plus points for that, in my opinion.

Sweet score and priced just about right!

muddocktor · #12 04-08-2018, 08:58 PM

Very nice 3 1/2" 27-2 you picked up there man! I know you will enjoy it. As for when it was made, most probably 1970-1971 if it is a 5 digit serial number. The Standard Catalog of S&W shows the N1-N99999 serial numbers being shipped in the 1969-1972 time frame. One other thing that makes me think it's an earlier gun is the difference in the placement of the S&W emblem on the sideplate and the cutout on the right side grip. On mine, the emblem is placed further to the right and a little higher, closer to the recoil shield and my right side stock doesn't have that cutout to clear it. Mine was shipped in the late 1973 to early 1974 time frame. Check the last pic I have attached showing the right side stock and emblem.

Last month I bought a nickel 27-2 3 1/2" myself, but came with a presentation case and the silver box too. And yes, I paid quite a bit more than you, but I really like the whole package of gun, silver box and presentation case.

Shark Bait · #13 04-08-2018, 09:20 PM

Can't go wrong with that one. She's a work of art. Congrats!

Teufelhunden82 · #14 04-09-2018, 07:25 AM

Thanks for all the info and for showing me your fantastic 27’s! I love the fit and the grain of the grips but I was planning on picking up some ivory or stag magnas once the budget permits. These 3.5” guns look more balanced to me with the slimmer grips. Is it most likely that it would have shipped with magnas? I may consider selling the target grips if they aren’t original.

I plan to shoot this iron and will give a range report as soon as possible!

M29since14 · #15 04-09-2018, 07:53 AM

Nice! Don’t worry about the price. It’s only money!

It’s a great looking 27 and the grips are a plus, as far as I’m concerned. Congratulations on your new .357!

cmansguns · #16 04-09-2018, 07:58 AM

My 27-2 w/3-1/2" bbl is 1976 and came as you see it below, with presentation smooth stocks, and they are bookended and matched. Like mudoctor posted, the S & W logo is higher up and more to the right towards the recoil shield. My s/n is N377XXX.

The prices do seem to be headed like Pythons, but also just like Pythons......they are not made anymore by anyone so if you got one...you got one, and its value relative to what you paid is to you and you alone.

Congrats on your acquisition....it is a real beauty and the only thing left in the way of major decision is whether you will wax it up and place in the investment area of your safe...OR...shoot the heck out of that beauty and deepen the turn line.

P.S. I am still on the fence over shooting mine, so I take the Model 28 Highway Patrolman when headed for the range...but I am getting REAL close to taking the 27-2 on her maiden voyage.

jmr986 · #17 04-09-2018, 01:50 PM

Congrats. That's less than I paid for mine. In the long run a hundred or two won't make much of a difference. Those 3 1/2's, in decent shape, are getting harder to find.

27.jpg

PALADIN85020 · #18 04-09-2018, 03:46 PM

I think a nice 27-2 with the 3.5" barrel is among the most attractive S&Ws out there. I was lucky enough to find this one about 10 years ago - red ramp, white outline included. One of the favorites in my collection.

John

Kingspoke · #19 04-09-2018, 08:38 PM

Starting with OP, on down, some really impressive 3-5's out there. I'm glad I was able to join this exclusive club!

muddocktor · #20 04-09-2018, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufelhunden82

Thanks for all the info and for showing me your fantastic 27’s! I love the fit and the grain of the grips but I was planning on picking up some ivory or stag magnas once the budget permits. These 3.5” guns look more balanced to me with the slimmer grips. Is it most likely that it would have shipped with magnas? I may consider selling the target grips if they aren’t original.

I plan to shoot this iron and will give a range report as soon as possible!

I'm pretty sure those look to be original stocks, as they are cut out to not cover up the S&W emblem, which is lower and to the left on the sideplate as compared to the ones on all my 27-2 guns. I have 2 from the 73-74 time frame (3 1/2 & 5") and 3 from the late 70's to early 80's (4, 6 & 8 3/8") and all of those have the S&W emblem rollmarked in the same place on the sideplate. My 5" 27-2 came with the magna grips and I personally found them to be less comfortable to shoot with than the target stocks. And I've found that the Culina stocks John and Jennifer Culina sell to be much more comfortable than any other wood stocks I've tried on my model 27's too. You might look in that direction for a set of replacement stocks instead of Magna stocks. They are a "coke" style stock in the same vein as the S&W "cokes" sold in the 50's to early 60's.

Here is my 4" 27-2 with a set of Kingwood Culina cokes on it.

Imshootin · #21 04-09-2018, 10:22 PM

That's a beautiful gun. Makes me want to try and find one.

KalamazooKid · #22 04-09-2018, 10:33 PM

Wow daddy, I’m joining this club soon and can’t wait!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bluetopper · #23 04-11-2018, 11:08 PM

I joined the 27-2, 3.5" club about three weeks ago on a pawn shop find for $650 out the door. Nearly half the logo on mine is covered up by the right target stock. Mine is a 5-digit gun and has the narrow hammer and trigger and no red ramp sight which I like. It's not a show stopper and it's been getting regular workouts and will continue to do so. A great shooter.

bluetopper · #24 04-14-2018, 01:40 PM

As I stated above nearly half the logo on the sideplate is covered up by the target stock. Does this mean the stocks were not original to the gun? Did some leave the factory this way?

Birdgun · #25 04-14-2018, 02:34 PM

Congrats on a beautiful revolver! Love the grip stock also.

diecidecimi · #26 04-14-2018, 02:45 PM

I'd say the production year is 1973, as stated the "Bible", 4th Standard Catalog. My unfired pre-27 3 1/2" I bought when I was a medicine student sleeps in the safe, and I can't reveal the amount of old italian Lire I gave to the patient who sold it to me. A real steal. My heart can't tolerate to shoot it, and for this reason I just felt guilty for a second theft: one month ago I found an ANIB 27-5 6"(no box, no stuff) that I paid 450,00 * - the change in dollars is similar -. It will be my 27-shooter.

image hoster

muddocktor · #27 04-14-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetopper

As I stated above nearly half the logo on the sideplate is covered up by the target stock. Does this mean the stocks were not original to the gun? Did some leave the factory this way?

I would hazard a guess that the stocks are not original to your gun, bluetopper. If it originally came with targets, they would most probably been like the ones that came with Teufelhunden82's gun. But I think that most model 27's from that era shipped with magna stocks, not targets. I know my 5", which I bought new in 1974 came with magna stocks. S&W didn't start shipping model 27's with presentation cases and target stocks as a matter of course until 1975 I believe. I think you would need to letter your gun to get it's shipped options.

muddocktor · #28 04-14-2018, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diecidecimi

I'd say the production year is 1973

Nope, that serial number is way too early for 1973 shipping, unless it got pushed to the back for a few years. I have a 5" 27-2 that has a serial # of N168XXX and it was originally received by the gun shop I bought it from in March 1974 and I finished paying for it in April 74 when I turned 18. Teufelhunden82's 27 has a 5, not 6 digit serial number. So that puts it early in the N numbered guns, which started in 1969 I believe.

diecidecimi · #29 04-14-2018, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddocktor

Nope, that serial number is way too early for 1973 shipping, unless it got pushed to the back for a few years. I have a 5" 27-2 that has a serial # of N168XXX and it was originally received by the gun shop I bought it from in March 1974 and I finished paying for it in April 74 when I turned 18. Teufelhunden82's 27 has a 5, not 6 digit serial number. So that puts it early in the N numbered guns, which started in 1969 I believe.

OMG, you'r right! I didn't noticed only two x! thx for the correction

fyimo · #30 04-14-2018, 04:53 PM

Great purchase on and Iconic revolver.

muddocktor · #31 04-14-2018, 08:00 PM

diecidecimi, I almost made the same mistake myself, but noticed it was a short serial number before I posted and revised my guess before posting.

BTW, I also have a 6 1/2" 27-5 that I bought NIB a few years ago for a decent price and it is a dandy shooter. It's accurate and sweet in hand and it was part of the "12 Revolvers" collection that a company came out with around 1991 and it also has a recessed cylinder like the older guns, which I think look better. No pinned barrel, but it also doesn't have any MIM components either.

boykinlp · #32 04-15-2018, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufelhunden82

Long time reader, seldom poster here. I just started the adoption process of a 27-2 from a dealer in Texas I found on Armslist. SN is S/n N134xx. I’m not sure the box is original to the gun but I’m not too worried about that. I paid $1395 which I know isn’t exactly a steal, but I figure I’ll only cry once on this one. She’s a beaut! Can anybody tell me when she was born? Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

You really got a nice one. You are right.....not a steal, but it is now yours and you didn't get hosed either. Have you got the gun in hand yet?

Teufelhunden82 · #33 04-23-2018, 02:18 PM

She’s home! There is a little bluing loss just above the trigger on the right side and it looks like the side plate was improperly removed at one time, causing a little damage to the finish at the top of the plate. There are slight scratches on the cylinder as well. I had been thinking the pictures in the ad made it too nice to be a shooter. This one’s going to see some action! The grips are not original, as was suspected by some of you. They’re dated 1984. All in all I think I paid a little on the high side but I do love this gun. I’ll be listing the grips for sale soon, I was thinking of asking $200. The plan is to pick up some stag magnas from Patrick Grashorn and add a Tyler-T. I’ll post a range report this weekend when I get the chance to slay some paper and tin cans. Thanks for all your input!

Teufelhunden82 · #34 04-23-2018, 02:24 PM

A few more pics.

Teufelhunden82 · #35 04-23-2018, 02:28 PM

The grips are sweet! They’re just too large for my taste with this 3.5” pipe.

Shark Bait · #36 04-23-2018, 02:34 PM

The stocks have great color, but $200 seems high to me. More like $100-$125 in my opinion. But you never know...

The 3.5 inch model 27 fits great in a S&W BLW-624 holster. Here's my pre-27 in one.

Teufelhunden82 · #37 04-23-2018, 02:56 PM

Shark, I love that holster! I’m definitely in need of some nice leather. Where did you get that Ammo pouch?

Shark Bait · #38 04-23-2018, 03:31 PM

The ammo pouch is from Galco, stamped 2X357.

TheHobbyist · #39 04-23-2018, 04:14 PM

@OP, nice gun and a good buy in my opinion. I am sure value on these will continue to go up in the years to come.

There are people who have been collecting S&W longer than I've been alive on this forum. That said, these have always been cool, sought after, and the best in class amongst this type.

yfdcap · #40 04-23-2018, 07:19 PM

Very nice. Congrats and enjoy.

Kingspoke · #41 04-23-2018, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHobbyist

@OP, nice gun and a good buy in my opinion. I am sure value on these will continue to go up in the years to come.

There are people who have been collecting S&W longer than I've been alive on this forum. That said, these have always been cool, sought after, and the best in class amongst this type.

Well said! OP, you have a highly desirable 27 there, and I have a feeling you won't feel you paid too much a couple of years from now. I'm so glad to have mine as well! Cheers to all of us, for owning one of the coolest 357's Smith & Wesson ever made!