Pre-model 27 Acquisition, date?

Six6 · #1 01-23-2021, 09:07 PM

Hi, I was very excited to acquire this pre-model 27 from my LGS after lusting after it for a few months. I guess 8 3/8" barrels aren't that desirable for the folks snapping up guns today, nor semi-expensive revolvers.

SN# S 164XXX

I think this is one of the early pre-27's, five screw, recessed cyclinder, case hardened hammer and trigger. These photos are pre-Flitz, and it cleaned up really nicely.

First range trip was today with my son, who acquired a 1970 Model 36 at the same time. While I was purchasing the 27 I mentioned that Son#1 was looking for a vintage m36. He must've thought about it for a while, because a little while later he brought out his former partner's 36. Wasn't even for sale...but now it's my son's first S&W. Nice start to a collection.

The 27 is a SWEET shooter! Gobbles up .357 recoil, super accurate, and shooting 38 special is akin to shooting .22. My new favorite revolver for sure.

Six6 · #2 01-23-2021, 09:10 PM

His model 36 acquisition, fresh from the LGS safe

VM · #3 01-23-2021, 09:13 PM

Congrats on your purchase.
Take it easy with those Coke Target grips at the range.
Their value is similar to your screen name......
six bills

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six6

Hi, I was very excited to acquire this pre-model 27 from my LGS after lusting after it for a few months. I guess 8 3/8" barrels aren't that desirable for the folks snapping up guns today, nor semi-expensive revolvers.

SN# S 164XXX

I think this is one of the early pre-27's, five screw, recessed cyclinder, case hardened hammer and trigger. These photos are pre-Flitz, and it cleaned up really nicely.

First range trip was today with my son, who acquired a 1970 Model 36 at the same time. While I was purchasing the 27 I mentioned that Son#1 was looking for a vintage m36. He must've thought about it for a while, because a little while later he brought out his former partner's 36. Wasn't even for sale...but now it's my son's first S&W. Nice start to a collection.

The 27 is a SWEET shooter! Gobbles up .357 recoil, super accurate, and shooting 38 special is akin to shooting .22. My new favorite revolver for sure.

22hipower · #4 01-23-2021, 10:13 PM

Nice, I bought SN S161987 8 3/8 last week but it didn't come with cokes. Do I see screw holes on the top of the barrel rib? Someone D&T'd it for a scope? It has a ramp front sight too rather than the usual patridge, does the SN in the ejector housing match the frame and cylinder? I think yours (and mine) are probably 1956 but it would take a letter to get the ship to location and exact date shipped. Here's a picture of mine for comparison.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Six6 · #5 01-24-2021, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22hipower

Nice, I bought SN S161987 8 3/8 last week but it didn't come with cokes. Do I see screw holes on the top of the barrel rib? Someone D&T'd it for a scope? It has a ramp front sight too rather than the usual patridge, does the SN in the ejector housing match the frame and cylinder? I think yours (and mine) are probably 1956 but it would take a letter to get the ship to location and exact date shipped. Here's a picture of mine for comparison.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

There are....I guess it has been D&T...should get a letter and find out if it was done at the factory. I figured the ramp was added later, given the plastic red dot. SN match.

Nice purchase, we both have excellent taste! ‘56 was a good year.

RKmesa · #6 01-24-2021, 02:45 AM

Congrats on acquiring one of the nicest shooting irons in the S&W catalog. I love the 8 3/8" barreled pre-27s. I have two of them in the S164XXX range, both of which shipped in 1957. Also, the red ramp on the 8 3/8" barrel is less common than the Patridge front sight, but not uncommon. S168864 is another 1957 8 3/8" pre-27 in my collection that is my favorite .357 Magnum to shoot. It has lots of wear, but like you said, it makes "shooting 38 special... akin to shooting .22."

Thanks for sharing,

diecidecimi · #7 01-24-2021, 03:07 AM

VEry nice acquisition indeed. Maybe you was not aware of the Coke grips, moreover! Btw we are.... in the wrong section! (Before 1961 3 screws) 😉

Hawg Rider · #8 01-24-2021, 10:11 AM

+1 on being careful with those Coke bottle stocks. There is a tendency for the stocks to chip right behind the trigger guard due to recoil...I know because I've had to have a nice set of Cokes reworked to repair the damage. If you want to shoot it often, I suggest you pick up a set of Pachmayr or Hogue stocks, or a set of more modern S&W Target stocks. Enjoy!

Six6 · #9 01-24-2021, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg Rider

+1 on being careful with those Coke bottle stocks. There is a tendency for the stocks to chip right behind the trigger guard due to recoil...I know because I've had to have a nice set of Cokes reworked to repair the damage. If you want to shoot it often, I suggest you pick up a set of Pachmayr or Hogue stocks, or a set of more modern S&W Target stocks. Enjoy!

Sounds like a solid idea, I have been thinking of taking off all of my S&W revolver original grips and replacing with Hogue or Altamont grips for trips to the range. I shoot them all, but no need to risk damaging the grips.

I knew the grips were Cokes...but not sure if they are Walnut or Rosewood.

Six6 · #10 01-24-2021, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diecidecimi

VEry nice acquisition indeed. Maybe you was not aware of the Coke grips, moreover! Btw we are.... in the wrong section! (Before 1961 3 screws) 😉

Yeah, whoops, not sure how I posted in the wrong section.

VM · #11 01-24-2021, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six6

Sounds like a solid idea, I have been thinking of taking off all of my S&W revolver original grips and replacing with Hogue or Altamont grips for trips to the range. I shoot them all, but no need to risk damaging the grips.

I knew the grips were Cokes...but not sure if they are Walnut or Rosewood.

I believe they are Goncalo Alves

Art Doc · #12 01-24-2021, 04:20 PM

I have S164278 shipped May 17, 1957. A 6.5 with a ramp (RR & WO).

GypsmJim · #13 01-24-2021, 04:47 PM

This thread made me smile. My pre-27 was the first 8 3/8" I ever bought. After liking it so much, there were more 8 inchers to come.

Mine is S162xxx, circa 01/1956. All original and no target options.

(PS - I have a good camera and get awesome outdoor shots, but just haven't mastered closeup handgun pics. I guess the subject of another post)

Neversink n Klapperthal · #14 01-25-2021, 08:12 AM

I`ve got a few pre 27s,and the 8 3/8 length is my favorite