S&W Pre 27-Just need to dialogue

[JeepRacer]

I just need to talk this out...

I am looking for a Pre 27, 95-98%, 5 screw, 3 1/2" Barrel, in the box with all the tools and documentation.

With that being said, what would you consider a reasonable price for one of these?

What I have found so far is priced like that of a RM. Is the market that good? or is the item I am looking for, just that rare?

Some of you that are knowledgeable of the current market, please help me out here.

Thanks.

 

[murphydog]

This sounds to me to be a mid-high teens gun (as in $1500-1900). Several members here are very active in this niche and will be along shortly...

 

[loeman]

I think a 3.5 inch in 98% with box and everything would easily top $2K. And a few hundred more if in nickel.

 

[mojave30cal]

^^^^^^^^^
What Loeman said.

 

[JeepRacer]

I think a 3.5 inch in 98% with box and everything would easily top $2K. And a few hundred more if in nickel.

What I found was more than this.

 

[ditrina]

I think a 3.5 inch in 98% with box and everything would easily top $2K. And a few hundred more if in nickel.

PRE 27.. The closer to a 1950 ship date the higher the $ ..Current market $2,000 a STEAL..

Closer to @2800. top end real world.. GB could be anything $3000++


Good luck

 

[RKmesa]

Price is going to be high for the following reasons:

1. Condition - people, particularly collectors pay for the good condition guns. The one you want is is anywhere between 58 to 65 years old and only a small percentage of them survived in 95%+ condition (BTW, to me there is a big difference between 95% and 98%).

2. Goodies - Same as above. Complete sets with box, tools, paperwork, vapor paper, etc... almost Never survived. So finding one with any of the goodies is an expensive endeavor. Box only for a 3.5" just sold on Ebay for approx $550 (How do I know - I was the 2nd highest bidder ). Just finding a set of goodies will set you back close to $1,000.

3. Popularity - "almost everyone" wants a beautiful pre-27 with a 3.5" barrel and those who say that they don't want one, just don't realize that they want one...yet. Therefore, people pay to get what they want - even if the price does not make sense.

4. Quality - probably one of the most well built, most functional, most beautifully finished handguns to ever roll off the assembly line - anywhere!!

So... for sure more than $2K, and in an open auction where you are bidding against people who are losing sleep thinking about that perfect 3.5", probably more than $3K.

I also think that once you buy it, you will quickly forget how much you paid for it and just enjoy the beauty that is S&W....

Good luck,

 

[JeepRacer]

What I found was more than $4000. I just could not justify it in my mind and yes I do want it. You could be right, but heck, if I spend that for a Pre 27, $100,000 does not seem to be out of line for my next truck.

 

[Erion929]

I just got a 3.5" blue Pre-27 in what I'd call 95% condition, no box, for $1550. It's a 5-screw from 1955. I thought it was a little higher than I wanted to pay, but then again, I haven't seen any cheaper lately.....it's my first Pre-27 and I wanted it

Then, of course, I had to pay shipping, transfer, and DROS......

Yep, everything I see now is $1700-3000.

But, it IS sweet!



**

 

[Grayfox]

With box, tools and papers, that would be a unicorn.
Price is whatever the market will bear. I'd guess a minimum of $3000.

 

[Jack Flash]

When you have very precise requirements (model, condition, barrel length, accoutrements, ...) you must look far and wide to find one. It takes a lot of time.

It is a lot different than going out to look for a good deal on something / anything.

But I gather there are a lot of retired guys who love S&Ws who go out seeking good deals on whatever. If they find the one you are looking for, be prepared to pay a "finder's fee".

 

[Nightowl]

Those guns were scarce in the 1950s and I would think that most of them went to LE officers to put in their holsters. Such guns saw some shooting and a lot of holster time. Those will show wear.

Those still in the box looking like new will be expensive, and hard to find. Good luck in finding another like it.

 

[loeman]

PRE 27.. The closer to a 1950 ship date the higher the $

For my education and perhaps others, I'd be interested to hear why you think this is so.

 

[JeepRacer]

What I found was more than $4000. I just could not justify it in my mind and yes I do want it. You could be right, but heck, if I spend that for a Pre 27, $100,000 does not seem to be out of line for my next truck.

Just so everyone knows I was not trying to offend anyone. The $100,000 statement was meant as a funny! Just hard to understand that this revolver will sell for this kind of money.

 

[bettis1]

I just need to talk this out...

I am looking for a Pre 27, 95-98%, 5 screw, 3 1/2" Barrel, in the box with all the tools and documentation.

With that being said, what would you consider a reasonable price for one of these?

What I have found so far is priced like that of a RM. Is the market that good? or is the item I am looking for, just that rare?

Some of you that are knowledgeable of the current market, please help me out here.

Thanks.

For the gun that you describe, you are bumping very close to $3K depending upon the nuances of the condition.

Note: If you think that is the going rate for a 3 1/2" Reg. Mag in that condition with the box and accessories, you are about a decade late to the party.

Bob

 

[JeepRacer]

For the gun that you describe, you are bumping very close to $3K depending upon the nuances of the condition.

Note: If you think that is the going rate for a 3 1/2" Reg. Mag in that condition with the box and accessories, you are about a decade late to the party.

Bob

Bob,

I was just being facetious with RM comment. I own one RM and have a offer pending on another. I was just meaning that the price was high.

Thanks to all for your feedback. I just needed to vent a little. There are not a lot of these available and the best I can tell the supply and demand may make the price what it is. And that is great for all of us.

David

 

[Art Doc]

Unfortunately you want what everybody wants. That makes the asking price high in response to demand. Everybody wants the 3.5" barrel. The box and accessories will sell for several hundreds of dollars by themselves. The higher the condition the farther into the stratosphere goes the price.

I would expect to see the gun you describe priced around $2,000. I would not be shocked to see it tagged at $3,000. That's why I'm glad I have my S&Ws because I certainly couldn't afford to buy them now.

I have three 3.5" N frame 357s. Two are pre 27s and one is a 27-2. The latter is about a 98% example and the former are both around 80% shooters (one in nickel). I paid a total of $1,025 for all of them between 27 and 5 years ago. I figure the crappy ones would now fetch near a grand each and the nice 27-2 would bring about $1,500.

If you REALLY want it just think what the price will be in five years.

 

[ditrina]

PRE 27.. The closer to a 1950 ship date the higher the $

For my education and perhaps others, I'd be interested to hear why you think this is so.

These are the ones that are " known to us at the time"
As Mr. Jinks would say " I hope this helps"

1950.. Was the first year production of the " Pre-27" after the war..

Below is the last data base I have available, thanks to Forum Member JayCeeNC and Lee who sent it to me.

Early 1950 Model 357 Mags

All are 3.5" unless noted:
SH = Speed hammer
ST = Semi Target

By Date
S75514 – Nov-1949 Barrel length unknown to me
S75523 – Jan-1950 B.R.
S75623 Jan- 1950 THIS GUN
S75947 – Feb 10, 1950 SH MY FEBRUARY GUN
S75581 – Mar 8, 1950
S75866 – Mar- 1950 Holster wear, SH
S75952 – April- 1950
S75935 – May 10, 1950
S76311 – May 26, 1950 3.5 Blue SH? letter
S75929 – June 28, 1950 SH 3.5 Blue letter
S75867 – July 20, 1950, SH
S77125 – Aug 23, 1950 ST Hammer Letter Pic
S75855 – Sept, 1950 Reblue
S79524 – Sept 21, 1950 Barrel length unknown to me

By Serial Number
S75514 – Nov-1949 Barrel length unknown to me
S75523 – Jan-1950 B.R.
S75581 – Mar 8, 1950
S75623 Jan- 1950 THIS GUN
S75855 – Sept, 1950 Reblue
S75866 – Mar- 1950 Holster wear, SH
S75867 – July 20, 1950 SH
S75929 – June 28, 1950 SH 3.5 Blue letter
S75935 – May 10, 1950
S75947 – Feb 10, 1950 SH MY FEBRUARY GUN
S75952 – April- 1950
S76311 – May 26, 1950 3.5 Blue SH? letter
S77125 – Aug 23, 1950 ST Hammer Letter Pic
S79524 – Sept 21, 1950 Barrel length unknown to me


Here are two that I have that can be added to the data base.

S76552 - shipped August 19, 1950 - 3.5" barrel - Semi Target Hammer
S77982 - shipped August 21, 1950 - 5" barrel -Semi Target Hammer

 

[old bear]

What I found was more than $4000. I just could not justify it in my mind and yes I do want it. You could be right, but heck, if I spend that for a Pre 27, $100,000 does not seem to be out of line for my next truck.

Welcome to the real world of high quality revolvers and fast trucks

I don't know about the trucks but the prices of quality revolvers just keeps going up and up.

 

[RKmesa]

I think that this is what you're looking for (except that It's all scratched up...):





I purchased this a few years ago from a super classy forum member and local collector that helped me scratch an itch that was keeping me up at night (for months and years). He charged me what I considered then a very fair price and it was significantly higher than the prices discussed here. He also was meticulous in pulling together and maintaining complete packages.

I also think that it may be easier to find factory engraved models as complete sets in good condition as they were likely purchased as artistic collectibles, rather than working firearms... But once again, the artwork will increase the price of the gun...