I also believe that the majority of the late Model 27-2 guns had nickel finishes. When they were new in gunshops and sporting goods stores, I saw three nickel guns for each blue one, and they weren't around long before the non P&R guns replaced them.

I lucked out and found a new one in the wood presentation case, with r/r and w/o sigts, nickel finish, s/n N760740. I bought it in June, 1998, when large frame .357 carbon steel revolvers were thought to soon become a dead deed.

I'd trade my nickel one for a blue 4 inch M-27-2 in the same condition.