27-5 Outnumbered? Now with Letter & new pics

[Retired W4]

I bought a 27-5 today and the label on the box shows it to be Product Code 100999, and under "Features" it says outnumbered. I'm a little confused because the right side of the 6 1/2" barrel is blank. The box is serial numbered to the gun and the right stock panel is dated NOV 28 1990. Does anyone know the deal with this gun? I have never seen so many inspector stamps on the grip frame as this gun. It is in excellent condition and the original owner says it's been in his night stand for most of its life and he only fired .38 specials in it. Thanks for any help.

It does have counterbored cylinder, with small S&W logo on left side and nothing on the right side. Pictures in the A.M.

 

[rgitz]

Sounds like one of the unfinished "Twelve Revolver" series that Smith entered in with the Ellett Brothers. The Model 27-5 was the September edition named "Outnumbered" which on the completed revolvers appeared lazer etched on the right side of the 7" barrel. Or maybe your gun was put in the box that once housed the 7" gun.
Other clues are "Outnumbered" had a gold bead partridge front sight, black blade rear, semi target hammer, serrated service trigger, counterbored cylinder, blue finish with the lazer etched "outnumbered" scene and sequential number on the side plate.

 

[Retired W4]

The gun has the gold bead patridge sight and black blade rear, semi-target hammer, std. trigger. The barrel is 6 1/2" and is so stated on the box. Just no marking on the right side of barrel or right side plate. Any points for weirdness or rairity?

 

[rgitz]

It might prove interesting to get a letter from Smith based on the serial number if they indicate this revolver was originally designated to be part of the 500 September revolvers they were configuring for Ellett prior to the deal going bust, though that might be a stretch. And I doubt that would really add value to an already nice gun, a collector of these might think it's the cat's meow.

 

[Retired W4]

I believe I will get a letter from Mr. Jinks on this one. I once had a Colt Belleau Wood 1911 that had no embellishments what so ever. It was a beautiful 1911, but it had no engraving or gold inlay. My understanding was that Colt never generated the interest in the model to complete the numbers that they planned to manufacture. I talked with Colt's customer service people and they told me the gun left Colt as a normal government issue 1911 (only made in 1968), and the gun was originally meant to be a BW commerative.

My Outnumbered 27-5 has all the documents except the little calendar. Pictures still coming in the A.M.

 

[Retired W4]

Outnumbered pictures

The box says outnumbered with product code 100999, 6 1/2", and the gun has the features except the lazer markings and 7" barrel.

 

[Retired W4]

I thought I would bump this one to see if there were any more opinions on this fine 27-5 Outnumbered, The Twelve Revolvers (unfinished?). Any help would be appreciated.
As 27-5 revolvers go this one is very nice.

 

[blackdeuce]

I'll take it!

Very nice gun. I'm interested in learning more about it.

 

[Hearsedriver]

That is a gorgeous gun my friend! I love that front sight!

 

[Retired W4]

Letter of Authorization

Well I got my letter from Mr. Jinks and the gun is an uncompleted "Outnumbered" just as Rgitz thought. It turns out ther were 266 guns completed with the Outnumbered decorations and 234 completed without the decorations. Mine could be a little unusual as it has a 6.5" barrel and the decorated guns had a 7" barrel. I don't know how many 6.5" guns there are out there. Mine was not shipped from the factory until January of 1992. Now the question might be, and may never be known, is whether the gun carries any premium, as one of 234. I know it's unusual, but is it concidered rare? I do know I like the gold bead Patridge sight and counter bored cylinder. The gun has been shot very little and spent most of its life in the box, in the owners night stand. Its high condition bares that out.

Thank you Mr. Jinks for the research.

 

[JoeHatley]

Now the question might be, and may never be known, is whether the gun carries any premium, as one of 234.

It would to me, but with so few made there wouldn't be much of a sales history to go on.

Congrats on the great find!!

 

[Classic Hunter]

Until today I thought my marked Outnumbered was a 7". Nope, it's a 6-1/2 and #90 of 500. Were they all 6-1/2 after all?

 

[Retired W4]

Well that's interesting, Classic Hunter. Looks like more information for the 4th edition of SCSW, when ever that comes out.