Nickel 4" Model 27-2: any idea how many were made?

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northslope

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Folks - right after New Years' got a nice deal on a VG+ 27-2 4", in nickel, from a local seller (paid $550 - no box or tools) I know the 4" 27-2's are somewhat rare -- but has anybody had their 4" 27-2 lettered? I'm curious if anybody has any numbers from Roy -- i.e., how many were made, and how many were made in nickel.

Serial number is N674xxx, putting it in 1979-1980. The SCSW states that the 4" has a red ramp front sight and white outline rear sight; mine doesn't - just a baughman quick draw front sight and normal non-WO rear sight blade.

I'd post pictures but I got home late from work today -- I'll take some tomorrow when there is still some natural light outside. The gun has factory targets with the speedloader cutout -- and some of the nicer figuring I've seen on Targets in a while.

cheers,
--Neill
 
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Like SCS&W says, the 4 inch Model 27-2 was generally only a standard catalog item for a short time, 1979 to 1982, and large heavy-frame .357 revolvers weren't the hot ticket in the handgun world at that time, so there aren't a lot of these out there.

I doubt, from what has been written here over the years, that the factory has kept totals on how many of what were made and sold over the years with enough detail to give us any break-down by barrel length and finish. It took Roy Jinks a great deal of time to research and come up with those kinds of figures just for the first .357's, made from 1935 to 1941, a few years ago.

My 4 inch nickel Model 27-2, s/n N7607XX, has the white outline rear and red insert front sights. Mine came in the presentation case and has target hammer and trigger and relieved checkered target stocks. What hammer and trigger does yours have?

Only a letter from Roy will tell you much more.
 
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Mins has white outline, red ramp and target hammer/trigger. It also has magnas and a tyler but alas no box
That makes 4 so far
 
There are 3 in my safe, 2 with TH,TT, & TS. All three have RR/WO sights.
One is NIB.
Chop
 
Nickel 27-2s with 4" bbl.

I currently own 3 of these guns in various conditions. Two have the flat black rear sight and the standard Baughman serrated ramp. The third has a flat black rear and a red ramp front(gun is a 'transition' model with pinned barrel but no recess).

I also once owned a NIB nickel 27-2 that had the flat black rear and serrated ramp.

This points out the old adage when discussing S&W revolvers. Anything is possible.....even probable. As far as what percent of guns are nickel, no one knows but they are substantially less common. The 10% rule is often mentioned but I think that's too low.
 
I have three as well. I already had a NIB and shooter grade gun and thought I was set. Then a while back one showed up here in the classifieds....but alas....it had not a pinned barrel. It languished in the classifieds forever....tainted by the lack of a pin. I couldn't stand it any longer and gave it a home. When it arrived, I was extremely pleased at its pristine condition despite its shortcoming.

Brian~
 
"how many were made in nickel"

well including mine......... so far we know of 13 for sure,

Mine is TH,TT,TG w/ RR&WO, BTW
 
In with a pic

DSC00068.jpg



Mines SN N7630XXX Has the 3Ts RR&WO, hope to have the original box soon.

I just cleaned it up a bit still has some finger marks...

I am interested in this model barrel combo also. and how many were really made. For me its probably one of the rarer one I own and a good conversation piece. The only thing close I have to talk about is a very late M52-2 one of the very last.
 
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Nobody knows.

Regular item for 4 years, special order before that. I have only seen 2 made before 1979.

About half the 4" 27-2s made 1979-1982 that I have seen have the unpinned -3 barrels. Figure they were used as the correct -2 barrels ran out of stock. But a few are seen with unrecessed cylinders (but with pinned barrels) and that makes no sense. I guess they were just throwing together whatever they had on hand. Great.
 
Mine is blue,
But white outline and red ramp and all the TTT things.
But again, Just a blue one.
Peter
 
I can account for another one. 3T's, red ramp front, white outline rear. My blue one is equipped the same way.
 
I had one, 4" 27-2 Nickel, never lettered it but was made 79-80. Had the tightest lock up of any Smith I've had, including new ones. Had to sell it after losing my job a couple of years ago. I think the guy who bought it from me just resold it for $600.
 
Lefkiguy said:
I had one, 4" 27-2 Nickel, never lettered it but was made 79-80. Had the tightest lock up of any Smith I've had, including new ones. Had to sell it after losing my job a couple of years ago. I think the guy who bought it from me just resold it for $600.
Click to expand...

Actually...I'm pretty sure I have your revolver. At least the guy I bought it from over on Calguns thought he bought it originally from you.

--Neill
 
I've got one, Presentation grips and all.
N793XXX.

That tapered .357 barrel makes it look totally different from the other 4" N-frames, I think they're really a looker.

Munster
 
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