I bought this 5" barrel, nickel 27-2 app. 3 years ago and have not kept up with the market since then. In looking around on places like Gunbroker.com, it appears as if the 5" versions just don't show up that often, so I'm having problems finding comparable sales. Any help you folks could give me with a range of value in todays market would be greatly appreciated.

While my gun may have been fired it certainly wasn't much, and it remains a 99% gun, imho. The nickel finish is just superb and shows no signs of even handling.






It also comes with all the "goodies"




I appreciate any and all assistance. There are more pics (close-ups) available if anyone cares to see them!
Kind regards,
Tom

Well, my first reaction on the question of price was to blurt out "That baby is priceless!"

After settling down a bit and thinking... I'd expect that the asking price in my area would be a minimum of $1,000, and if the seller was in no hurry, $1,200 or more. A very desirable N Frame in a great (IMHO, the best) Mod. 27 barrel length, and what looks like a flawless finish. At auction, I'm thinking it could go considerably higher.

Congratulations on owning that beauty.

It's worth $100. PM me the address to send my check. I'll even pay the shipping!

I think Desert Rat nailed it.

I think $1200-$1300 is reasonable to ask for that piece. I personally would not let go of it for $1000.

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Mark

I agree with 71 firebird400
1200-1300 before i think of selling that one.
Very Nice sir !!

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Thanks very much to all. This gave me exactly what I was looking for, and I also appreciate all the complimentary remarks. It is a very special gun, to me at least :-)
Regards,
Tom

Hi Tom, great looking 27-2. I just purchased a nickle one myself, my third 27-2. I noticed yours does not have the N stamped on the end of cylinder. I just asked in a thread (27-2) about this, and it sounds like the factory nickel guns were all stamped with an N. Might want to take a look under the grips for some re-nickel marking.

To me a factory re-finish does not diminish the beauty of these 27-2's but I'm sure it diminishes the value some.
I was given the opportunity to send mine back to the PO, (I believe he did not actually know it was a blued gun refinished) but just could not part with it.

Robert

Robert (and others!), OH TELL ME IT AINT SO!!
Nope, no "N" on the cylinder. Here is what the frame under the grips looks like:



If it is a refinish, factory or not, it is a really good one! If it is a refinish, this bad boy is coming out of the safe and onto the range ASAP! plus, I would obviously have to adjust the "range of value" figure now in my head!
Interesting as the stampings do not match at all what you described in your gun, Robert.
Original finish, factory refinish, or other refinish?? You guys weigh in please, but please be gentle with me :-)
Tom

While looking at the pictures, I began to hyperventilate. I gotta go lay down. I don't know what it's worth. Lots!

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Why, I aughta.....

I don't think it has been refinished. The N usually appears on the rear face of the cylinder, but it could have been missed on this one. S&W employees are people. Mistakes are made.
This is a very nice revolver with an extremely desirable barrel length. Worth $1200 if its worth a dime.
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Tom - is there a "N" stamped on the cylinder under the extractor?
(Beautiful gun btw!)

VM, nope--nothing under the extractor. Only stamping on any part of the cylinder is the number "2".
I've been eyeballing this thing all day, and I just don't think it has ever been refinished. Would some macro shots of the of the barrell stampings, S&W logo on the right side plate, etc help here?? They look really nice and crisp (sharp) to me.



Not the best shot of the logo-glare got it. Geez these nickels are hard to shoot--pics that is
Thanks for all the input.
T

Are these any more help with the refinish question?

I see clues that indicate a refinish. “SPRINGFIELD, MASS.” in the four line address roll mark is blurred downward. The forward end of the side plate is below flush. There are rounded edges on the frame around the yoke hinge. Edges of the cylinder’s locking notches are rounded. The edge of the forward end of the ejector rod recess in the ejector rod shroud is rounded. In addition to the cylinder the “N” usually is stamped on the side of the grip frame near the bottom.

It’s time for you to do the touch test. Rub your finger tip across edges everywhere and compare them to revolvers with known original finish. I think you’ll conclude it got a non-factory refinish. As a rough rule of thumb, that cuts value to half of collector value or to utility value, which ever is higher. However, don’t panic. Lots of members here would bid against each other to own your 27.

IMHO.. Go shoot it and ENJOY...

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

Great looking handgun refinished or not.

+2...............would love to own it!

congrats!

Check the cylinder. Smith did not nickel the extractor, it should be blue. The front of the side plate does look rounded, a tell of a refinish.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

After seeing the close-ups, I'd have to agree that this was a nice nickel refinish - not by S&W. That's OK, I'm still drooling. IMHO the best part is that you have a really great looking Model 27 that you can actually take to the range without hearing a depreciating value "ka-ching" every time you pull the trigger. In many ways, that's so much better than owning another pampered safe queen as she's now a beauty you can fully enjoy. Congrats again.

very nice!

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

SWEET!!! I thought I was looking at mine! Great catch in perfect condition. N, or no N, it is GORGEOUS!!! Awesome pictures to boot!!

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RIP Shipmate

I left town shortly after k22fan's very helpful post regarding the tells of a refinish so I thought I would circle back to report my findings.

After a couple of days of fondling the 27, comparing it to other examples of known original finishes on my other pre '80 Smiths, and putting the thing under my 3X magnifying glass, I have determined that I DON'T KNOW.

No matter, I'm taking this gun to the range this week for some much needed exersize
Now, all I need to do is solicite donations so I can buy more ammo--GEEZE

I just want to thank all who have contributed to this thread and my continuing education on S&W's.
Kind regards,
Tom

Yep, I'm a bit confused too. Yesterday I compared the marking that appears to be a "2" or a "Z" on the back of the cylinder face at about 8:00 O'clock in your fifth picture to my original nickel finish 29-2 from the same era. It's the same marking... a very flat "N" that looks more like a sideways Z. The 29-2 does have the big N under the grips though, not present on the 27. Hmmm, you can always leave it to S&W to provide us with a good mystery.

I suppose if you care enough you could get a letter from Roy, but I would call it at least $1000 for insurance purposes, and then go shoot it.

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NHI, 10-8.

I'd suggest it's worth getting the $50 letter. That said, I shoot my guns.

Not all nickel 27-2's had the N on the back of the cylinder but as far as I know they all had the N on the frame under the grips. It's unlikely that they would not have an N in either place.

So to me I wouldn't buy it as a factory finish without a letter from the factory saying it was. If it's refinished I believe the price drop would put it at $650 to $700 with the goodies. I say this because if it was factory finished it would be worth about $1200 in todays market.

I've sold some of my S&W revolvers lately and the prices are really high right now but in the end without the letter saying it's a factory finish you should disclose that it may be a refinished revolver.

A 5'' 27 factory refinish of mine sold on GB a couple years ago for $510. Not a pristine one either, it was a bit cloudy in places.
l think Trotter's is worth at least $900. Box/acc would bring another 250/300. Grips 150. Mine went away wearing pacs

I believe you should do 1 or all of 3 things.
1. get a factory letter Best $50 you will spend this year
2. If it is refinished..Shoot the snot out of it and enjoy
3. Use the times we are in to sell it at auction as it is.. refinished or not..with lettered info..if refinished I would disclose that and then emphasize the great refinish as a positive.. you might be surprised what people would give for that even refinished.It is georgous and many who aren't collectors won't care about the original finish. The 5" beauty will sell itself. One way or another.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I went to the range yesterday with several of my 70's era S&W's including the 27-2. Meet up with a buddy of mine and one of his friends who just happened to be a very knowledgeable S&W fan of 30+ years.

Before showing him the 27, I asked him if he would mine giving me his opinion. Without looking at the 27, he says "does it have a N stamp on the cylinder and the frame?" I said "nope", he said "it's a refinish.

Then I pulled the gun out and handed it to him--his jaw dropped and he pronounced it "original finish". I doubled over with laughter.

Long story, short--I did not shoot the gun and the Roy Jinks letter form with my $50 is in the mail this morning.

One last thing, if I ever sell this gun (which I seriously doubt, refinish or not) EVERYTHING I know or don't know will be fully disclosed to any potential buyer--including a link to this thread.

I truly appreciate all of the input. When I get the letter, I will post the results for all to see.
Kind regards,
Tom

Thanks Tom

Will be following this thread, very interesting and informative. Have learned a lot from it.

Robert