S&W Pre Model 27 Purchase How Did I Do?

[AC Man]

I ask because research is all over the place. I won it last night on auction. 1952 Pre Model 27 3.5" barrel in advertised mint condition and the 85 pics indicate it as well. Factory gold box tools and papers. Advertised an looks like unfired but you know how that goes. I paid $3026.

I passed on another no box or papers advertised like new but looked like it was in the bottom of a tool box for $2100.

Heck, I haven't been able to buy a 27 - 2 with a 3.5 barrel for 2K what say you?

 

[22hipower]

Seems like a lot but if truly ANIB perhaps worth it. As a long time member here says occasionally, "it's only money and you'll have more of it next week." Those in that condition from that period don't come along often. We're eager to see pictures.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[rct269]

Bottom Line: It doesn't make any difference if you paid too much or not----mostly because you like it---AND YOU HAVE IT!!

The other reason is I dare say each and every one of us is going to get some more money---either tomorrow, or maybe the next day!

I'd tell you how much I've paid for several different items, but it wouldn't be long before there was a petition being circulated to have me committed to the looney bin!!

The good news is there was this one, for the most I'd ever paid (up until then anyway) that the Boss Lady said, "Well why don't you just go ahead and buy it?"

I was headed for the phone in two seconds FLAT!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[alwslate]

$3026 is a lot more than what I would have paid. Several years ago I wanted a 27-2 with a 3.5" barrel and didn't have one. After a lot of browsing on GB I now have four of them. One Nickel and three blue. All are great mechanical shooter grade and one is nearly 100% blue. No boxes or papers. The most I paid for one was around $850. Prices might have gone up but not to the point where you can't get one for well under $2,000.

 

[Gun Relics]

I think you got a great gun. You paid up to get the really premium example with zero compromise. If you were to try to get a bargain on an example like that, it would be a rare opportunity and would take some luck.

There are several up for auction right now. I'm on the lookout for one as well. I have a pristine 5" and I would like to have a pristine 3.5".

 

[brendonjames65]

Congratulations, beautiful Pre 27, worth every penny!

 

[AC Man]

$3026 is a lot more than what I would have paid. Several years ago I wanted a 27-2 with a 3.5" barrel and didn't have one. After a lot of browsing on GB I now have four of them. One Nickel and three blue. All are great mechanical shooter grade and one is nearly 100% blue. No boxes or papers. The most I paid for one was around $850. Prices might have gone up but not to the point where you can't get one for well under $2,000.

Two weeks ago I bid $2,000 on a 27 - 2 3.5 barrel on Gunbroker . It did not sell. I contacted the dealer and he said he paid more than that from and estate sale and I wasn't even close. LOL

I know I did not get a deal, but there were others bidding close to what I paid. It was my final offer and won it by $26 dollars. If I am in the ball park I am happy.

For me it is condition, condition, condition. If there is one mark I am out on collector firearms. Thanks! Oh and you guys that bought them for way less, you were at the right time and the right place.

My Dad paid 80 bucks for my brand new marlin 30 - 30 model 336 lever action back in 1970 when I was 14. Still have it.

 

[mchom]

Congratulations OP

Beautiful gun!!!
You wanted a fine specimen and it’s on the way.
Sure you could have spent additional months or more searching for a LNIB in this condition/package for a lessor price. Maybe you would find one…and maybe not.

I find my options mostly limited to the internet where pricing can be challenging.

 

[mh51]

If I want it, and I can afford it....I don't worry about what others think.
Nice find, and congrats!

 

[sodacan]

If $3026 is the bottom line price, it was an ok deal. If a buyer's premium, shipping, taxes, transfer fees or any other ancillary costs were added in then maybe not. At any rate, you bought one of the most beautiful guns Smith and Wesson ever made. Enjoy.

 

[schutz5]

Heck that sample is worth it!!!

Time is money also.

 

[doubletapp357]

Where are the pictures

 

[Retired W4]

A short while ago I was presented with this 3 1/2" 27 ND (4 screw of course) for $2000. It had no box but all the tools in unused condition, plus a couple speed loaders and snap caps. The seller, another old helicopter pilot, knew he had me and would not budge on the price. It shows well with my 4", 5" and 6" nickel 27-2's. To this day I feel like 2 G's was the top of the price scale but I'm happy. I keep telling myself, when will you ever see another one like it?

Shown first is the 4" 27-2.

I say enjoy that 5 screw variant, and POST SOME PICTURES !!

 

[TJm15.38]

I've never paid that much for a gun and, at this stage in my life, probably won't. However, I've never had a revolver that nice. Congrats!

 

[CH4]

As long as you’re happy with it! In a few weeks, you won’t feel the sting, but you’ll have what you wanted…and you can’t put a price on bragging rights.

I currently have 4 3.5” 27-2s and 1 pre 27 from 1953. 1 is a shooter and the rest are pristine without boxes. I happily paid $1900 for my only nickel example; it’s the only one I’ve ever seen in the wild.

 

[flyfishinjunkee]

I wouldnt have done that myself...

 

[TheTinMan]

I think you did fine. In May, I paid just under $2,900 for a 3-1/2” 357 Magnum shipped in August 1954. No goodies except for a random box clearly for a different gun. However, I saw the gun in person before bidding and knew what the condition was:

I got into collecting revolvers very slowly. At first my limit was $1,000, then $1,500, then … The simple fact is that there aren’t many fine examples left of many configurations, and you got a complete package. That matters for collectibility IMHO.

I’ve wanted a Colt Shooting Master, a Colt New Service Target, a 4” 5-screw .44 Magnum, and a Registered Magnum for years and years. My financial position has improved to the point where I can afford to purchase a few revolvers like these and I have over the past 2 years. The only one I feel that I “paid too much” for is the .44 Magnum - it’s a first year example but it was refinished by Smith & Wesson and the grips are “wrong”. Still, it’s beautiful, it is one of 168 shipped in 1956, and it’s mine.

 

[murphydog]

Where are the pictures

It is easy to find as a closed auction on a popular site using the search term “pre-27”. But would leave the decision to post a link here up to the OP/buyer.

 

[1blindref]

Congratulations!

I had that one on my watch list to see what it would do and it sold right about where I thought it would. The extra's that came with that gun definitely add to the value of the package. The box is also in pristine condition and would probably sell in the $350 to $400 range, maybe even more on eBay. Add another $300 or so for the SAT, tools, and HH brochure.

The gun is an absolute honey. If you keep it in that condition, it will only increase in value. I'm assuming the grips will number to it since it looks untouched. The case color on the hammer and trigger is outstanding.

I love penny start, no reserve auctions. They give you a true sense of what a gun and package are worth. The old "it's worth what somebody will pay for it" is absolutely true.

While paying over $3K for a Pre 27 might seem like a lot, look at the money that Colt Pythons are bringing. Even pristine 6" Pythons bring north of $3K. I might be a little biased, but give me a Pre 27 all day long and twice on Sunday over a Colt Python (I have a couple of them).

 

[Grayfox]

That certainly makes me feel a lot better about the value of mine.
I wouldn't have paid that much, but prices are going up all the time.
As long as you're happy, that's all that counts.