rubiranch, back in the no dash days, they made both the 6" and 6 1/2" barrel models of the 27. They dropped the 6 1/2" barrel option some time in the 60's, IIRC. And a nickel 6 1/2" is still on my want list to complete my 27 collection. I have a blue 27-5 6 1/2" right now, but all the rest of my 27's are nickel.