Found my Pre-27 5" gun (Pics added)

[lonegunman762x51]

I've been keeping an eye out for my favorite hard to find Model 27's for years. In my area, you never find a 5" barrel .357 anywhere in my area.

I got a call to go check out a few military rifles from an estate and the one revolver sitting there was a lovely pre-27, matching stocks and at least 95% finish, serial number from 1954-55 range.

So I'm making arrangements for it to come home and live happily every after at my house.

It's nice enough and matching enough I was pondering getting a letter for it.
So my three questions are;

1. How hard to find are 5" guns? I've seen far more of every other barrel length than a 5" gun and no one around here seems to think they are rarer than 3.5" guns.

2. Is is worth lettering?

 

[bruce5781]

5" is great length in the pre-27. I think you will really enjoy it.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[M29since14]

I don't know how hard to find 5-inch .357s may be, but it's nice that you found one that interests you. My own desire along those line was/is for a 6-1/2" model. I've seen exactly one, and it had a bulged barrel. I should have sent it back but felt sorry for it and rebarreled it. Unfortunately I couldn't find a replacemen of that length and ended up with a 3-1/2" gun, just for a fun shooter.

I suppose you could letter it if that interests you. I wouldn't bother unless I had some reason to believe it belonged to a notorious person. I once ran into a rather interesting .44 Magnum with some nicely done modifications and some writing inside the stocks. The letter for it was unremarkable. Nothing at all of note - just an ordinary gun shipped to a hardware store in Arizona. It's the chance one takes.

Congratulations on finally finding the .357 you've been wanting.

 

[22hipower]

Great that you found the 5 inch. I don't know how many 5 inch post war 357 Magnums S&W built but they are uncommon where I shop. We're looking forward to pictures. I think this one may be the only one I've seen for sale (S151820). Had to trade a Python to get it (although did get a couple others too).

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Valmet]

While I wouldn't necessarily call them rare, they are definitely uncommon and desirable. A 5" N-frame is the perfect S&W IMO. And it looks like you have a fantastic one. Congrats and I wouldn't hesitate to get a letter on it.

 

[rubiranch]

I have a 5" 27-2.

I would like to have a 5" pre or no-dash 27.

I recently had to pass on a 99% 5" pre 27 because I had drained my gun fund on a 4" pre 27 and a 8 3/8 27 no-dash.

Hopefully another one comes along when I gun fund is in a little better shape.

I'd get it lettered too.

 

[murphydog]

5" was one of the standard post-war barrel lengths but I doubt anyone knows exactly how many of each length was made. My guess is 6 (with 6 1/2)" were most common, nearly the same numbers of 5 and 3.5", and fewer 8 3/8". This is all observational, not from hard data.

 

[Engine49guy]

Congrats ,
A pre 27 in any length is a great find !

There was a post years ago discussing barrel length and sales numbers.

IIRC the 3.5" and 5" were at the top of the list,
This would make sense considering 4" and 6" Model 27 sales had to compete against the Model 28 after 1954, the Model 19 after 1956, the Model 66 after 1970 and the 586/686 after 1980.

 

[crsides]

Depends on what era you're talking about. 3.5 and 5 in guns were std offerings for the Pre 27's in the 50's, 6 1/2 more rare and 4" special order. S&W standardized on the 4" and 6" models in the late 70's/ 80's, when they dropped the model 28. So most 5" guns are pre models, most 4" guns are later. I like the 3.5, 4, and 5 in model the best. And I like to see pictures too.

 

[RKmesa]

It is my experience that nice 5" barreled pre-27s are more difficult to find than most of the other pre-27 cataloged barrel lengths (with the possible exception of the 6.5" ones). Note that the 4" barrel was not a cataloged length for the pre-27s. I think the reason that the 5"ers are so difficult to find is that there were probably fewer of them made, and those that have them hang onto them, because they really, really like them.

We are looking forward to your photos.

Congrats,

 

[WCCPHD]

Here's my Pre Model 27, five inch gun. It had a pair of butchered non-relieved target grips on it when I got it. Somebody tried to add a speed loader relief to them and poorly refinished them. I added these Herrett grips as they feel good to my hands.

This gun was shipped in October of 1958, late for a five screw.





Since Charlie likes photos, I'll share a couple of other Model 27's.

No dash 27 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, shipped in February 1959. It has "coke" grips.





Another five inch, this one a 27-2, Nickel, Florida Highway Patrol gun. (Charlie should remember this one as I got it from him). It came to me with rubber grips so I added another set of Herretts. Shipped in June of 1966

 

[Patrick L]

It's always nice when you find a "quest" gun after a long search. Congratulations!

Since I have my 6" and now my 8 3/8", I think a 5" one would round out the trifecta nicely. I personally wouldn't want anything shorter, although I certainly do appreciate their beauty. Nothing against anyone who does like them, for sure!

 

[lonegunman762x51]

6.5 inch guns are another favorite. My Dad had one he bought new in 1955 and used for bullseye and holster carry for many years. I walked in a gun store a few years ago and they had a no-dash and a pre-27 sitting in the cabinet.

I bought both and got a nice deal on the price, that covered that part of my .357 collection nicely.

 

[stu1ritter]

My favorite revolver and yes, took a bit of searching to find one.

Stu

 

[rubiranch]

It is my experience that nice 5" barreled pre-27s are more difficult to find than most of the other pre-27 cataloged barrel lengths (with the possible exception of the 6.5" ones). Note that the 4" barrel was not a cataloged length for the pre-27s. I think the reason that the 5"ers are so difficult to find is that there were probably fewer of them made, and those that have them hang onto them, because they really, really like them.

We are looking forward to your photos.

Congrats,

I feel very fortunate to have a 1957 4" pre-27 and a 1960 6.5" 27 no-dash.

This 6.5" is probably my favorite S&W.




As I had mentioned earlier my 5" is a -2.

 

[wetdog]

Here's another 5 inch pre 27 that I have posted before. It has the numbered box and shipped Feb. 1958. I thought mine was a late shipped gun but WCCPHD in post 11 shipped even later.
The only serial # is on the butt of the gun and the stocks have a number on each one with the correct number on the left one. The light can really change a pic.

 

[Kansasgunner]

5 inch 27 no dash with Keith Brown "Toasted Maple" stocks. Gold bead front sight.

 

[jay73]

Love these revolvers.

Mine shipped March, 1958

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[crsides]

I think I just posted this 5" on another thread, but here we go again. My only 5" and my only 27-1.

 

[rubiranch]

I think I just posted this 5" on another thread, but here we go again. My only 5" and my only 27-1.

Very nice.

I'd like to have a 27-1, just not sure which one. Probably a 6.5" if they made them.