27-2 6.5 S series.. 1967??

[Model29-26.5]

I’ll be picking this one up late, December.
So far it’ll be my only “S” series.
Can anyone tell me what the real differences are between the “S” and “N” prefix productions?
Are they genuinely noticeable or is it mostly people romanticizing about it?
I’ve seen a few 27-2 in 6.5 And it’s a Barrel legs I wanted Too much my 25–2 and 29–2 in those lengths.
Thanks For any info.
You can see who I bought it from.

 

[Mike C2]

The serial numbering method was changed because the law changed. There is no difference in a late S serial number gun and an early N serial gun other than the numbering.

But general consensus is the earlier S guns were better finished/quality controlled. Mostly it is a collector thing, but there may be some truth to it.

 

[murphydog]

If you took a very late S prefix and an early N prefix model 27-2 and covered the serial numbers, guessing which was which would be virtually impossible.

They could have made another 400,000+ S prefix guns without duplicating a serial number (running into the postwar fixed sight K frame series) as mandated by GCA '68, but I guess they played it safe by starting the N prefix.

 

[Doc44]

Your 27-2 probably does date of 1966-1968 as it has the large SMITH & WESSON roll marked on the left side of the barrel. Nice looking revolver.

Bill

 

[Model29-26.5]

Your 27-2 probably does date of 1966-1968 as it has the large SMITH & WESSON roll marked on the left side of the barrel. Nice looking revolver.

Bill

Thanks. Bryant Ridge said it was 1967

 

[Hair Trigger]

Only readily visible difference is the diamond around the escutcheon screw on the stocks, which disappeared about the same time as the SN changed from S to N. Not precisely, though, as my S-prefix M57 did not have the diamond stocks, being made in 1969 several thousand numbers before the N prefix started.

In the late 1960's several things started changing on S&W revolvers. Like Doc44 mentioned, the roll stamp font on the barrel changed. The other change that was around that time was the "lazy" ampersand between Smith-Wesson on the barrel as well as the one in the 4-line registration on the right side of the frame. These in themselves changed at different times on different models, I suppose as older already-marked parts ran out in inventory and were replaced by the newer styles. My M57 and M58 both have the lazy ampersand in both places, made in the '68-69 timeframe. My M28-2, a '73 model, has the lazy ampersand on the barrel, but has the standard one in the 4-line. My M19-3, made in 1974, has standard ampersands in both spots.

 

[RKmesa]

Congrats on wrangling that one into your corral - it is a beauty!!!

A 6.5" barreled 27-2 is the gun that started my addiction to "The 357 Magnum". It is a very well-used gun that shipped in August 1965 with SN S268489. It is a great shooter, but not so easy on the eyes...

 

[Model29-26.5]

Very nice!
TT TH.
Nice!!
My other 27-2’s.
The 6” has some scratch he’s and wear but it’s a great shooter.
I’ll be on the lookout for a Nickel 5”.

 

[got2hav1]

I acquired this one last year. S serial number as I recall it would be a 1963.
6.5" barrel.