I am chasing some information about a Model 27-3 with a 4 inch barrel (serial number AUS6762) which is for sale here in Australia. The gun has an unusual finish which looks like satin nickle. Can anyone here enlighten me about the age of the gun and what the finish could possibly be. My instincts are telling me the gun may have been refinished but I really don't have a clue, definitely not the same as the shiny nickel on my model 27-9.

The 4th SCSW doesn't show a AUS serial number, but in 1986 and 1987 there were a bunch of AU serial numbers shipped. So my best guess would be in the 1986-1987 time frame.

As for the finish, if it isn't shiny nickel then it isn't factory. Without pics of the gun it would be hard to guess what the actual finish might be, but it might be an electroless nickel or maybe some kind of hard chrome or a proprietary hard finish. To see if the gun was originally finished in nickel, look on the left side frame and the back of the cylinder and see if there is a "N" stamped there.

S&W's nickel plating on Model 27's was a highly polished finish. A Model 27 with a satin finish is likely to be a refinished piece, but if nicely done makes it a nice shooter grade revolver, but no collector value.

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This is the only photo I have of the gun and also the barrel has been ported with a single elongated slot on both sides.

Attached Images

AUS6762-2020-03-02_07-49-50-PM.jpg (18.2 KB, 49 views)

Looks like the barrel has been Magna-Ported, definitely not something available from S&W. The finish certainly appears to be a satin finish, either something like NP3 or hard chrome. Both were very popular refinishing systems in the 1980's and 90's. This is definitely not a collector grade revolver, it is a shooter and it does look nice.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA