.357 magnum 3.5"

[Dkrueger17]

A few weeks ago, I attended a somewhat local gun show and found what I've been looking for; a 3.5" model 27...I would have been pleased just to find a nice 27-2 3.5", but to my surprise, this was waiting for me. After a few years of looking/waiting, and buying a few other nice Smith's along the way, I finally got my grail gun. It came with the correct box, VCI paper, Helpful Hints brochure, and complete tool kit. I also received it wearing beautiful "coke" stocks, however I'm keeping them in storage for the time being, as I found period correct diamond grips. She dates to 1954. It now joins the family of my pre 27 6.5" from 1955, and my pre 28 4-screw from 1957. I'm considering lettering both my 3.5" pre 27 and the pre 28. They all reside on a shelf together in the safe, with the exception of occasional range days

 

[DocB]

Wow!!! Although the size of the wow depends upon what you paid for it. If you paid under $1K the wow is huge. If you paid $2K the wow gets a little smaller.

 

[RKmesa]

Now that's a real beauty. Congrats and thanks for sharing,

 

[quinn]

Did you buy a lottery ticket on the same day???

 

[usm1rifle]

Wow!!! Although the size of the wow depends upon what you paid for it. If you paid under $1K the wow is huge. If you paid $2K the wow gets a little smaller.

I would feel a "wow" at $2k with the box and cokes...

Worth $2k with the magnas shown.

 

[samandglove1]

That's a beauty. Thanks for sharing pictures.

 

[Dkrueger17]

Thanks guys. I actually purchased this in a "package deal" for what I considered to be a good price. I guess you could call me "the bundle-er." I sold the other gun to someone who really wanted it, as I really wanted this. She's not perfect, but shows pretty well for being 62 years old. A through cleaning and a nice coat of renaissance wax really made 'er wink. The weather cooperated for some nice outdoor pics this afternoon as well. I really liked the cokes on this, but then I put these diamonds on and can't decide which looks better

 

[H Richard]

Gorgeous 27. Looks almost too good to shoot.

 

[deyomatic]

Sounds like you need a 6" Highway Patrolman from 1956 to complete the package.

 

[mojave30cal]

Wow, super nice! Congrats.

 

[boykinlp]

You found a real winner there!!! JMHO, but I would leave the magnas on it. I would like to see your cokes though.

 

[DGT]

Great example of one of my favorite revolvers. Congratulations.

 

[mr.jbk79]

Congrats on the 3.5". It's a beauty for sure. Very nice group of N frame 357s!

 

[gkitch]

I wonder if it would letter to the cokes? Did S&W use a different factory term for cokes vs targets in their records? I recently bought a 4" 28-2 (1964) wearing cokes.

 

[Dkrueger17]

I am not sure on that one...maybe someone else can answer that. I'm curious if my pre-28 patrolman 4-screw will letter as to being shipped with the unrelieved diamond targets as well. They have the correct serial number penciled/etched in, but I'm not sure if that was done after the fact or not. They fit like they were molded to the gun from new. Some letters are in order I suppose...

 

[H Richard]

Cokes were not used on the Pre 27 (or 27), They were only original on the Mod 29 and (pre 29) and the Mod 57. Many people acquired them and put them on the 357 Magnum. My 3 1/2" lettered with "Checkered Walnut Target stocks". Since in 1953 the non-relieved was the only N Frame Target stock it will pretty well tie it down.

 

[gkitch]

Cokes were not used on the Pre 27 (or 27), They were only original on the Mod 29 and (pre 29) and the Mod 57. Many people acquired them and put them on the 357 Magnum. My 3 1/2" lettered with "Checkered Walnut Target stocks". Since in 1953 the non-relieved was the only N Frame Target stock it will pretty well tie it down.

We know that cokes were standard on model 57s and 29s. Once the cokes existed, however, would S&W not sell another N-frame with cokes if requested specifically by the buyer? If so, there must be records of such examples?

 

[DWalt]

The Cokes would not have been standard OE to a pre-27 or 27. But as for everything else, the revolver could have been special ordered from the factory with Cokes, or they could have been purchased and installed by a subsequent owner. I don't know what a factory letter would say about that. I passed up a very nice (maybe 95%) 1954 pre-M27 several years ago with Cokes, and very nearly bought it for $1000, just because of the Cokes. With the original box, I would have had no problem in dropping a grand (or more) on it.

 

[Mblhopo]

The factory didn't call them Cokes, when ordering or in a letter the factory referred to them as [special oversized target type grips]..I think that's close!!...Doc.44 knows the exact wording...............................M*

 

[Dkrueger17]

Sporting Cokes

Since some of you wanted to see the Cokes, here they are. Now I'm really torn...