I'm trying to identify this hand gun. This was my late husbands gun. He had it about 25+ years. As far as I know it has never been fired and was purchased new. Smith Wesson 357 Magnum/Model # 27-2/Serial # 732448/6" barrel/adjustable sight. I'd like to know how much it is worth.

Attached Images

	IMG_0254.jpg (94.1 KB, 325 views)
	IMG_0255.jpg (129.5 KB, 363 views)
	IMG_0256.jpg (120.8 KB, 299 views)
	IMG_0257.jpg (68.3 KB, 319 views)
	IMG_0258.jpg (82.3 KB, 247 views)

First it needs a good cleaning with some metal polish. Never Dull might do it on that gun. The grips are not factory, they Pachymahr presentation grips.

It is a fairly late made gun probably late 70's to very early 80's. The 6" barrel is less desirable than the 5" or 6.5". If the gun cleans up well I would expect it to go in the $750 neighborhood depending on your locale maybe more.

One can see the carbon on the forcing cone (the part of the barrel that almost touches the cylinder). So it's clearly been fired. It has the kind of light scratches one would expect from a nickel revolver that's been used but cared for.

I would be careful with polishing, personally. Unless the gun is disassembled completely, there will be duller spots around the cylinder release and the grips and bright spots on the broad, flat areas of the frame. This chore is best left to an expert.

Even with the wrong grips, this is a $800-$900 gun in my neck of the woods. We don't know where you live so it really depends. As with most things, in places where people have more money, desirable older guns like yours will sell for more.

__________________
Psalm 27:2

That's a very desirable revolver. I would do some research and find a way to safely clean that nickel finish, try to find a set of N-Frame factory target grips, see if you have the box and paperwork that goes with the revolver. Cleaned up with proper grips, about $1000, with the box around $1150.

Welcome to the Forum

Sorry for your loss

From the photographs there is not doubt that it has been fired.

That is known as the Model 27

I am guessing that if your husband had a shooting buddy you would have already talked with him.

A local gun shop, not a sporting store or pawn shop that sells guns, but a true gun shop would clean it up for you (obviously for a fee).

It is hard to make much more of a recommendation than that since we do not know what part city you are in. If you go and add your location into your profile I am sure that a Forum member in your area could make some better recommendations.

The serial number is actually N732448 and it dates back to late 1979 or early 1980.

The firearm is in nice shape and has many desirable features.

If the original box and grips were around, that would add to the value.

My location is Arlington, Texas. Would it make a difference where you live?

I really don't know much about the gun nor if my husband used it. Clueless about the gun. I appreciate the information. I use a much smaller gun that I can put in my purse. This one is much too big.

Thank you for your consideration for my loss. It was quite a blow. I'm trying to sell the things I don't need that are his. The whole ordeal has been quite a process.

What kind of grips do I need? Where can I find them? Thanks.

Come on with the value! What is under those rubber grips that capture moisture. I understand your loss, its an extension of your late husband.
And you are a new member, welcome. A fair retail price after inspection
depends on several factors. There has to be a gun shop in TX that will be honest with you. Retail is different from an offer to buy.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

There are several States in the Union where it is forbidden to import most firearms from another State.

If you resided in one of those few places, the firearm would have a greater resale value than what it would bring in one of the FREE States. After all it would already be in the restrictive State.

You are in a great place for honest gun shops. I used to work next door to your City at the Irving PD.

The Winchester Gallery over on Lancaster is one place that has an on-site gun smith. I am certain that they could clean the firearm for you.

If you do not have the original box or grips, I would not worry about acquiring them. Should you plan on selling the revolver, the new owner could always put on the grips he/she liked best

My take is $600 - $700 depending on how well it cleans up... since you are not a gun person, let a new owner stress with cleaning, nickel polishing and seeking the proper grips (which will cost about $100). It probably came with a wooden presentation case and that will aid in your selling price. There are a lot of guys here that live in Texas and a face to face evaluation should make a quick sale.

I still aint seen no N on this gun under the grips or cyl. That pic. of the cyl. is really foggy. Man you guys are quick with an evaluation. That nic finish sure is scratched up. Ken is close at $600. Any word on bore, chambers,
or function?

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

As far as value goes, any N frame in my neck of the woods will sell for 500 regardless of condition, or cerakote for that matter. Being a 27 would put a 100 to 150 dollar premium on it, so 600 easy in my area regardless of what is under the grips. Nickel in that shape wouldn't add much around here, if all the frosty was gone and it's not scratched badly it might add another 50 to the value. If it has the presentation case throw another 100 on. So, 650 to 750 minimum here...

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Hi Fritze: welcome to the Forum. My condolences on the loss of your husband.

In my experience, used gun prices tend to be highly regionalized. So, yes, where you are located could indeed have an impact on the sale price of your revolver. Generally speaking, with regards to handguns, the longer the barrel length, the lower the desire for it, and this has an impact on the pricing. Also, it appears the nickel finish was not applied at the factory. If you look at the back of the cylinder, see if you can see a "N" stamped into the cylinder. If so, this might help drive interest in the piece. Some people love a nickel finish on a handgun, and some people have no love for them. The problem with a nickel finish is that once it starts flaking, I don't believe it can be fixed or repaired short of replating it.

It's hard for me to assess the condition of your revolver from the photos you posted. If it were me, I'd try to carefully clean the outside of the revolver by using Windex sprayed on a cotton ball, and gently trying to wipe down the outer surfaces. I'd follow this with an application of a coat of some light oil. If you want to be conservative, try the application of a light coat of oil with a cotton ball first to see if that helps clean up the surface. See if that helps clean up the cloudiness, and if you can post additional photos.

Without actually seeing and examining the piece, my best guess as to value would be around $500.00 - $650.00. If the nickel plating was not done at the factory, any collector value is essentially gone - again, only in my opinion. if the nickel finish is in good condition, I'd place the value closer to the $650.00 mark. Also, if you can find the factory box, grips, and papers (owner's manual and/or promotional literature), and tools (cleaning rod, brush, mop, and sight adjustment tool - screwdriver), this can be quite attractive to a collector, and might add some money to the sale price.

I hope this information is useful to you, and I wish you the very best of luck.

Regards,

Dave

Hi Fritze,

I'm very sorry for your loss.

If your revolver were completely disassembled, it could be polished with pretty amazing results. My dad's after market nickel Colt Trooper looked just like yours until I polished it out. Didn't like the factory handles either, but if you can find yours (or any other accoutrements), it will increase the value. Welcome to the forum and good luck.

PS, if you or someone you know has the proper slotted screwdriver, you should get those rubber grips off. They can collect moisture and rust or pit the metal if left for long periods. Take care in removing the grip saddle after grip removal, it can scratch the frame at the serial number on the butt if not done properly. Grip removal would also allow you to find whether or not an "N" (for factory nickel) is stamped on the grip frame underneath. The hammer and trigger are still factory case color and the stampings look sharp to me. I suspect the nickel is factory.

Before polish:



After polish:

__________________
Jeb

Ma'am, I am in Dallas, TX. If you want, PM me with your contact info and I will be glad to help.

Just a note for those posters who inquired about the 'N' stamp: it appears to be at around 7 o'clock in the picture of the rear of the cylinder. Look closely at it and see if that isn't what you're looking for.

Regards,
Andy

I have no doubts in my mind that it is a factory nickel gun. In that time frame it may or may not have come with a wood box. I would say more than likely but not 100% certain.

I have cleaned nickel guns that were far worse than that one and they came out practically new looking. That one appears to have basically dry finger prints on it. I dont believe there is a need for a polish any more aggressive than a Never Dull cloth.

A 2 sided jeweler's cloth will shine the nichol in minutes.

There is an N on the cylinder. Look again.