Smith61
Member
Probably came up somewhere before. I am always looking for a 5" 27 and these come up from time to time, and seemingly cheaper than stock examples. Which would be better to grab used and shoot once in a while?
27-3 FBI vs. 50th Anniversary.
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I had one of those NIB and it took me 2 years to sell it… Finally found a new agent who wanted it. Typical of a commemorative gun - if you have no attachment to what is being commemorated, then value is usually less than a regular model.
Rock185
US Veteran
What ken158 said. I did think the FBI one was pretty neat, but I already had a 5" 27 I bought new back in the '70s..
I bought a Treasury commemorative 686-3 from 1989 for slightly less than a new 686, but I bought it to shoot. I can't imagine these commemoratives being exceptionally valuable, as mine is within the first 10 serial numbers and came with a really nice box and a belt buckle and wasn't even as expensive as unmarked NIB 686-3s.
Anybody wanna buy a US Treasury 200th Anniversary belt buckle to wear to a moonshiners' convention?
Anybody wanna buy a US Treasury 200th Anniversary belt buckle to wear to a moonshiners' convention?
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Interesting question. So, I looked to my new Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th edition for help. There were 2501 50th year Commemoratives manufactured in 1985 estimated value for ANIB is $1300. There were 3200 FBI Commemoratives manufactured in 1983. Current value listed at $1000. (Interesting, because I have not seen one for that price in 15 years, or more) I have one of each, both LNIB so I have not shot either, so cannot attest to their shootability. Mostly, guns are individual, so there are probably some good shooters in both runs, and some not so good. Maybe just grab whichever one you find first!
Send it to Tickle…
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I have one, because I was an Agent starting in 1991 and missed out on getting one. I paid 1k and it was worth every penny to me.
It was a weird choice for a commemorative - 5” Model 27s were never authorized for carry. They probably did it to keep guys from putting it on their POW list.
I shoot mine. The thick smooth magnas are nice.
If you have no connection to the Bu, there are probably better deals.
Mine is going to my son.
It was a weird choice for a commemorative - 5” Model 27s were never authorized for carry. They probably did it to keep guys from putting it on their POW list.
I shoot mine. The thick smooth magnas are nice.
If you have no connection to the Bu, there are probably better deals.
Mine is going to my son.
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In the 1970s our field office had two 5" Model 27s in the gun vault. The main gun guy in the office said each field office had at least two 5" 27s if an SA wanted to sign one out to carry for some detail. I never knew anyone who signed one out. That's a lot of iron hanging on a suit belt.
I remember 1 new SA who showed up with a new 3.5" Mod 27. It had been a graduation gift from his family. Really pretty gun. He probably didn't have a 32" waist. After a few days of constantly pulling his pants up he got a 2.5" Mod 19 and we never saw his 27 again.
Not Model 27 related but the 27 in the vault reminded me. There were also two 1911 Colts in .38 Super an SAs could sign out for some detail. I only knew one SA who signed one out for a UC detail in the mid 1970s. He and a CS got jumped going into a meeting that they had attended many times before. The bad guys thought he was setting them up to rob. They never made him as an UC, just thought he was a tough guy, maybe tougher than them, and they made the 1st move. They took the Colt and slapped around the SA and CS. Last I checked about 15 years ago the Colt was still in the computer as stolen. Rumor was at the time after arrests were made the guy who had the Colt realized it was US Govt property so he dumped it in a lake.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I worked cases with Agents and one back in 1983 or so. That SA had a 5" 27. I had a 681 4" so I asked him if he was thinking about an L frame. His five inch was a "Death Ray" so that is why he was toting it.
I knew a lot of lawmen who carried full size handguns under their sportscoats.
I carried a 645 for several years when running a couple of drug task forces.
Big and heavy enough for me.
In my career saw a lot of guys carrying big guns. Like the COP in a podunk town who carried a 1911 with a 20 rd mag while in uniform.
The Mod 27 5" sat in the vault as did the 1907 .351 Winchesters and Thompsons. They were available but no one ever signed them out to use. The only time the 1907 and Thompson went to the range was on family day.
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In my limited experience with commemoratives (125th .45 Colt and a 544). These were both very nice guns, great triggers and accurate. The finish on them was excellent. I bought them lightly shot and bought them to shoot. I think they are great buys for shooters, and can often be had for less then a non-comm. gun. YMMV
Serial FBI2244 available on consignment at my LGS for $1235. No wood box but the blue/white box and paperwork included. If you are FBI and want to make an offer PM me for info on location. It’s been there awhile.
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