A year or 2 ago, I asked about this used model 27-8 and several people helped me find it's a Lew Horton run...





Put it back in the original flight case and haven't touched it since tonight. I'm seeing these beautiful model 28s and want to be sure mine is taken care of and maybe shoot it?

The RMD number is 45. These photos aren't very flattering. Before storing, I put a light coat of CLP on it and haven't even wiped it down yet. The finish actually looks better than the photos. Don't think it's ever been fired. I have everything for it, except the original Lew Horton signed document.

I did pick up some Ren wax. Besides that, only have some Blast and CLP. This is the only nickel gun I own and, even after reading here, I'm not sure how best to care for this finish. I don't think this is a rare piece, but it's certainly a beauty. Should I shoot it?

* Basically, is there a 'best' thread or recommendation for cleaning/preserving (what seems to be) the very sensitive nickel finish?

* Would you shoot this one, having a number of other .357 wheels?

* Any ideas on value?


As always, thanks for the help!

__________________
Best Regards,
Mark

I have several of them.

These six (one of every 8 shot, carbon steel, model 27 variation ever made) which all have the same serial number and remain unfired since leaving the factory


Plus there are others that I shoot. I really love the 8 shot, 3 1/2"

Nickel is by no means "sensitive"

What destroys nickel is leaving solvents on it. Especially penetrating solvents/oils as they work their way under the nickel and cause it to flake. Or solvents like Hoppes that dissolve nickel. You can clean with Hoppes, just do not leave it soaking in Hoppes for 20 minutes.

I still clean with Hoppes and lube with an old product called Tri-Flow that smells like banana.

Clean and lube your revolver like any blued revolver. Nice lite coating of gun oil. Stay away from all the MIRACLE products of the last few decades.

The only long term storage coating I would ever use is SHEATH from Birchwood Casey. They changed the name bit I do not recall what it is named today.

BTW, there is no Lew Horton signed document that ever came with these Registered Magnums. Are you perhaps referring to the registration certificate being missing?

A very nice collection of 27s you have there!

I'll give mine a good old cleaning tonight.

Do you have an opinion of price range for the 5" nickel? Would shooting it de-value much? Instinct tells me to shoot and enjoy it, but not sure.

Lastly, it is the registration certificate that's missing. Everything else is in the case. Effect price much in your opinion?

Thanks!

__________________
Best Regards,
Mark

It is probably too late, but you might want to call S&W and Lew Horton. There were extra registration certificates at one time.

I have seen a clean, complete unfired one go as high as $2000, but you have to be in the right place at the right time with the right item to get that money.

Only 250 of the 5" nickel revolvers were produced beginning in 2007. A used, excellent condition example that is mostly complete will still bring in the $1,000+ category on most of the auction sights.

For a used revolver the missing registration certificate will not alter price, with an unfired revolver, a picky collector will probably make an issue over it.

Most people do not even realize these were not sold as model 27s, these were produced and sold as Registered Magnums. That name really pissed off some of the older, set in their ways, collectors.

Shoot it and enjoy it.

That nickel finish looks awesome. I prefer nickel over blue or stainless when given the choice. Someday the nickel finish guns will be rare when they stop doing the nickel process due to the environmental costs. Grab the nickel before it's too late.

Mine are sleeping with a heavy coat of gun silicone spray wrapped in the s&w paper.

I bid on this one last week (not the winning bidder).
Didn't come with reg. cert.

S&W Lew Horton 27-8 NO reserve and free ship : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

That is so purdy.