hkcavalier
US Veteran
I've seen a number of recent auctions for 627 5" guns where the "PERFORMANCE CENTER" roll mark is now back on the left (cylinder release) side of the barrel and the ".357 MAG - 8 TIMES" is back on the right side. I have a late 1990s 627-PC with this arrangement, but every 627-5 I have seen (including my 2003 sample) has these roll marks on the opposite sides. Did S&W recently switch back to the late 1990s style? Or am I just seeing guns from right after the transition from the 627-3 to the 627-5 using older barrels? This seems unlikely since these guns are all nearly 25 years old and to see several of them hit the market at the same time would be strange.
I ask this because the auctions often hide the left side pic with the IL, and by golly they sure look like a 627-3 from the other side with those barrel markings. Some of these pics are from GB and sellers there are infamous for subtle sleight-of-hand like this. It's not directly dishonest but it's more of a lie by omission.
My late 1990s 627-PC (627-3s have the same engravings from what I have seen)
My 2003 627-5
And pics from a recent auction (not my gun) billed as a used gun. Note the interesting slab sided combats too.
And an auction where this is the only pic (also not my gun). Not noted as new or used, not noted with a revision number either...hmm...
I ask this because the auctions often hide the left side pic with the IL, and by golly they sure look like a 627-3 from the other side with those barrel markings. Some of these pics are from GB and sellers there are infamous for subtle sleight-of-hand like this. It's not directly dishonest but it's more of a lie by omission.
My late 1990s 627-PC (627-3s have the same engravings from what I have seen)
My 2003 627-5
And pics from a recent auction (not my gun) billed as a used gun. Note the interesting slab sided combats too.
And an auction where this is the only pic (also not my gun). Not noted as new or used, not noted with a revision number either...hmm...
