3.5" Pre 27 Value?

[kwb377]

I'm out of town on vacation and stopped by several LGS's to see what I could find. I'm not a collector, and my other Smith revolvers are '70s 19 and 28, and a recent 686...so I'm clueless to these older revolvers.

One shop has a 3.5" Pre 27 5 screw...overall the bluing is mostly intact, there's some surface rust tinge on the sides of the front sight rib, a heavy turn line with bluing wear in the cylinder notches, lots of bluing wear on the ejector rod (it almost looks like plier/vise jaw marks, but the rod is smooth and not chewed up), and the original grips are gone...replaced with newer Hogue rubber. The tag said "Original Box", but when I inquired about it they brought out a '90s era blue box with newer paperwork and cleaning accessories.

The action was very smooth and lock-up, end shake, etc. were all good as far as my amateur inspection could reveal.

It's available for $1150 OTD...I know it's not a collectable piece in it's condition, just wondering if it's a fair price. I was hoping to find a newer model 629 (I've inherited @ 250rnds. of .44 Magnum handloads from my late dad's gun stuff and need something to launch them with) and really only have the funds now for one or the other.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to snap pics.

 

[Jocko-44]

We like pictures here...

 

[murphydog]

Based on your description, I'd say an average price. A better deal if it had the original stocks. Let the bargaining begin!

 

[kwb377]

We like pictures here...

I do to...unfortunately I didn't have my phone with me. [emoji846]

 

[kwb377]

Based on your description, I'd say an average price. A better deal if it had the original stocks. Let the bargaining begin!

I thought so too...and that was the "bargained" price. It's marked $1150 (+ 8% tax), I offered $1100 OTD and got back the $1150 OTD counter.

 

[austintexas]

Condition, Condition, Condition; a friend just sold a nickle 3 1/2", pristine condition and Austin Police Department marked for $2500. M-28s around here start at $800 and go up to $1300 (Condition, ETC). I bought a blued 3 1/2" pre 27 about 15-20 years ago 80%, Paid $350 (highway patrolmen were going for $160-$250). I wouldn't take $1200 for my 5 screw Pre 27 today.
SWCA 892

 

[gkitch]

I'd surely remove those moisture-trapping rubber grips to see how the metal underneath is looking BEFORE completing a deal....

 

[Hawg Rider]

5-screw .357 Magnums with 3-1/2" bbl. are highly sought after, as you probably know. High condition models are bringing $1800+. However, from your description, that particular piece is probably only 85%-90%, and doesn't have its original stocks or box. It might be a $1000 revolver on a good day in that condition. Proper stocks would add ~$300 to the value, and the box another $200. I'm a little surprised that the gun store wouldn't accept your $1100 because IMHO that's more than a fair offer. I'm afraid that I would pass on that one...a gun shop that won't dicker will probably have that revolver for a while at that asking price.

 

[22hipower]

Would like to see pictures but as described I think it would have gone home with me for $1150 OTD. We all like really nice ones but I don't think I've seen a 3.5 inch pre-27 for sale since I bought a factory refinished one three years ago. Just about any N frame these days in decent condition is worth $1k. If this one is original, but just showing wear as described, and mechanically sound, $1150 seems a reasonable price to me. Sell the blue box/tools for $50-$100, buy correct diamond magnas for $150 and we're at $1250 or so. Unless it is really ugly I don't think I could turn that down. I have more than that in this refinished one; of course it letters as going to the Kansas City PD so there's that. . . .

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nqvhZ6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[tlawler]

Quote: "The tag said "Original Box", but when I inquired about it they brought out a '90s era blue box with newer paperwork and cleaning accessories."

I would use that as a bargaining chip right there. I would point out to them they are in no position to put a fair value on a Pre-27 if they don't even know what the box is supposed to look like. It sounds like they may have been looking for a mark who was unaware of the correct box. But it really does come down to condition and how badly you want it. $1150 isn't a bad price for a decent Pre-27.

 

[RCL-09]

How many other have you seen, and what was the asking price?

After a close inspection (look under the rubber grips) I'd jump on it unless there was something wrong with it.

In today's market that seems like a fair price to me.

 

[Nightowl]

My LGS had a pre 27 for sale at $1299 that had the hammer spur rounded off, and some blue wear similar to the one described. He would not negotiate!! Unfortunately, I think that is around the going prices for pre 27s today.

 

[CScott]

I latched on to one about 3 years ago for $900 plus tax. About 85 or 90%. It's a great gun that I can shoot without worrying about losing value which makes it more valuable to me. Does that make sense?

 

[Eddietruett]

I would have gladly paid $1150. The worst thing you could have done is bought a little early

 

[Doug M.]

I say this after admitting that I have no interest in this revolver. Nothing against it; it just does not match my interests. HOWEVER - I am with those who think that this is workable price as long as the area under the grips is not rusted up.

 

[kennyb]

sounds about average....

 

[kwb377]

It sounds like they may have been looking for a mark who was unaware of the correct box.

I'm pretty sure that was the intent...the box had a handwritten piece of white paper with the gun specs clear-taped over where the original label would be on the box.


To add to my dilemma, I've also found a nice 586-2 and a new 629 Classic (the gun I've actually been hunting for) while hitting up shops here at the beach (I gun shop while the wife hits the beach ). I've got another couple of days to make up my mind...

 

[Dhs The IV]

If the pre 27 is decent it's worth it. They have gone crazy in price. I paid $1500 I think for a pre 27 that was in shooter condition 2 years ago. I'd be lucky to pay that for it now I think.

 

[kwb377]

I wasn't really "feeling" it...decided to pass.

I wound up talking myself into buying both the 586-2 I found on the local Armslist on the coaat and a new 629 off GB at a shop that happened to be on the way home from the beach.

 

[Retired W4]

I put my 73 3 1/2" 27-2 in my case this weekend as a one time thing, just to see what kind of attention it would get. $1800. Lots of lookers, no takers. I really didn't want to sell it, but $1800 would have bought it a new home.