27-2 4" nickel questions?

[firefighterjohn]

Hey John, its a meager $1300! Heck thats a bar bill and dinner for four people. An S prefix is a P&R gun with all the goodies, plus nickel. Dont pass it up or you will kick yourself repeatedly.

I know I know...I've kicked myself repeatedly in the past over other deals I let slip away.

 

[firefighterjohn]

S&W's nickel finish is pretty darned good. There is no underlying copper intermediate layer with S&W factory nickel finishes, so lifting and flaking are greatly reduced, especially when exposed to common gun solvents. The nickel finish is also well polished and that makes cleaning easier than a comparable blued finish. The nickel also provides better corrosion protection than a blued finish.

Thanks for all the great info on S&W's nickel process and durability. My only experience with one was a rough 19-3 with some flaking issues I passed on.

 

[firefighterjohn]

The Model 27-2 is a descendent of the famed .357 Magnums that were first introduced in 1935 (Registered Magnum, Non-Registered Magnum, etc.), which many of us feel are some of the finest revolvers ever manufactured. I own a few, and they are outstanding handguns. I have been looking for a 5" model to add to my modest collection, but they are as scarce as hen's teeth around here. And to be honest, I've never even seen a 4" Model 27 at any local gun stores or gun shows! If that 4" nickel Model 27-2 shows up at your gun shop, especially if it's an earlier S serial number with matching stocks and box, I would jump on it if the price is reasonable. I have a few nickel S&W revolvers in various calibers, and I think they're just as easy to clean as the blued models. You won't be disappointed, and if down the road you want to pass it on, you'll have no trouble getting your money back with interest!

Thanks Hawg, I don't currently have a 27 or have ever seen one either at a LGS or show. Hope it's still there to review tomorrow!

 

[firefighterjohn]

Alot of good information in this thread,
I forgot to address the "S" Serial but it has been detailed above.
The way I look at it is basicly the S serial prefix changes to an N prefix almost about the time that they transitioned to the non diamond stocks.
In general five and four screw guns bring a premium over 3 screw guns,
Three screw 27-2's are found in both S serial and N serial prefix.
S serial 27-2s with original diamond stocks will bring a premium over an S serial with non diamonds and those will bring a slight premium over a 1970's era N serial.

On a side note there was a small run of five screw 4" pre model 27's made right around the time the new four inch 44 Magnum is introduced and those fetch a huge premium.

There are several threads on the five screw four inch pre 27's on the forum.

Thanks Engine49guy, I'm gonna print your post to take with me when I get a chance to look it over.

The info I get here on S&W forum is incredible!

 

[Bullet99]

As a relative newbie, I have learned I wish I started collecting about ten years ago. (even 5 years ago) I see 27-2s are going up in price. Pristine ones are at a premium now.

The more rare the gun, the more prices have gone up. Guns in nice shape are still at a reasonable price.

 

[JohnRippert]

Saw a pristine 4inch nickel 27-2 with magnas for $900 at a shop south of me several years ago. As I am not a big N frame fan I could not make myself fork out the money. Hindsight, of course, makes me wish that I had.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Never say never with Smith & Wesson, but if its 27-2 with Nickel Finish and an S Serial, I'm betting its a 3.5" barrel. An S numbered 4" 27-2 would have been special ordered and I'd say very rare and desirable. My money is on N serial if its 4" and 3.5" if its S numbered. In the unlikely event that its a 4" S serial, it needs to be lettered to verify that the barrel hasn't been changed.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Saw a pristine 4inch nickel 27-2 with magnas for $900 at a shop south of me several years ago. As I am not a big N frame fan I could not make myself fork out the money. Hindsight, of course, makes me wish that I had.

We've all had those should-of moments when we let one get away; especially at those past prices.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Never say never with Smith & Wesson, but if its 27-2 with Nickel Finish and an S Serial, I'm betting its a 3.5" barrel. An S numbered 4" 27-2 would have been special ordered and I'd say very rare and desirable. My money is on N serial if its 4" and 3.5" if its S numbered. In the unlikely event that its a 4" S serial, it needs to be lettered to verify that the barrel hasn't been changed.

Thanks lowriderfxr, I will take that info with me when I get to see it in person.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice. I just went to look at the 27-2. It was nickel, 3 1/2", super clean, all the extra stuff...but a big price tag. It was definitely nice but not $1600 OTD nice. This wasn't a 'Holy Grail' one but one worth looking at none the less.

 

[Engine49guy]

The 3.5" Model 27 is generally more sought after than the 4" ,
A nickel S serial should have a blue front site ramp pinned to the barrel and would likely bring a premium over a blued one IMO.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Actually, IMHO that revolver and goodies are easily worth $1600 OTD these days. Perhaps not to you, but I'm sure it won't be on the open market for long. As others have said, the 3-1/2" bbl. 27-2s are very desirable, and nickel brings a premium. Remember too, the presentation case (and/or box) and goodies are easily worth $150-200 by themselves. I'm thinking that package would easily sell for $1800+. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Iron rule of cleaning nickel is DO NOT soak it in Hoppe's or anything similar, it WILL take off the nickel.
I have a nickled 4" -2, bought it in 1985-for $250, no box or papers. Has a polished action and Pachmayr grips. Which actually look good on it and are comfortable.

 

[stansdds]

Iron rule of cleaning nickel is DO NOT soak it in Hoppe's or anything similar, it WILL take off the nickel.
I have a nickled 4" -2, bought it in 1985-for $250, no box or papers. Has a polished action and Pachmayr grips. Which actually look good on it and are comfortable.

Not an iron rule, at least with S&W factory nickel finishes. S&W did not use a copper intermediate layer between the steel and the nickle as some other firearms manufacturers and aftermarket refinishers did. S&W nickel finishes are plated directly to the underlying steel or aluminum, so there is no copper for copper solvents to dissolve.

That is not say that it is ok to soak any firearm in Hoppe's or any solvent. Hoppe's is not good at preventing corrosion, so it should be used to clean, then wiped off and either a protective coating of oil or wax should be applied to the firearm.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I would have bought that gun when I had a job, in a NY second!

The 3 1/2 and 4" nickel S s/n Model 27-2s with diamond grips are a sight to behold. Those are some good-looking guns. The top strap only adds elegance. If I had the spare cash, I'd be calling them to hold it or put something down on it and tell them you are on the way. But that's just me.

 

[rogerwnuss]

Hey John, its a meager $1300! Heck thats a bar bill and dinner for four people. An S prefix is a P&R gun with all the goodies, plus nickel. Dont pass it up or you will kick yourself repeatedly.

Jeez, dude......where do you go to dinner??