A real Magic.....the Model 27/Lettered

[PauldL]

Just, please look over me fellas. I've been on Cloud 9 ever since I got my '68 27-2 3.5" - &, it's just insane at how beautiful these revolvers really are. They have more character & beauty than any gun made today (imo)
& as the title says, there's a definite "magic" to them.
That may indeed sound a bit silly but, I've never had another weapon come close the character & beauty of this 27. Except of course, another 27 & my model 19-3.
And, that character & beauty always gives me just a great sense of pride in ownership. It really does. Just knowing that these older 27's will never be duplicated again. Maybe imitated but, never duplicated ( I hope those are the correct words) Knowing that real craftsmen made these. Craftsmen, not assemblers. From what I understand it took years for the person to learn the craft.
It's really amazing to think that with all the advancements we've had since 1968, there is nothing that comes close to this type of character, beauty & actual feel & performance. These older model 27's are a true piece of real American ingenuity & craftsmanship. And, no doubt will endure the test of time. I mean, the gun is 3 & 1/2 years older than I am & it's in MUCH better shape than I am lol........if even just reasonably cared for, it will last for generations. The only & I mean ONLY negative that I can find with this model 27-2, is that I now want more! & that's only a negative as they cost quite a pretty penny & absolutely no doubt will only rise in cost. That's the only negative that I can come up with. Because even maintenance is a joy to do on these. ( lol, I haven't even shot her yet!) - but, I will.....so, all this being said, I knew I wanted to get her "lettered" - now, I already asked Mr. Jinks, when she was born. So, I knew that. But, Why not just go ahead and get an official letter. So, I did. & I actually got it out of the mail this morning & I must say that Mr. Don Mundell, S&W Asst. Historian, did an OUTSTANDING job. As you will see, there's a very, very, good history on the model 27. I really enjoyed reading & learning about. & at the end of the letter is where I learned when exactly she left the factory & where she went to. She left the S&W Roosevelt Avenue Factory on April 26, 1968 & went to Krasne's Inc. in San Diego, Ca. Some of yall may better know Krasne's Inc. as Triple K.
At any rate, I really appreciate this forum, it's members, & just being able to share with folks like me, whom really love the older S&W (as well as s the new) Revolvers.
Here's a couple pics. Thanks for letting me share gang.
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/z3834nCJ] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/8srYq0Sv] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/0rmttKYd] [/URL]

 

[Bajadoc]

Beautiful weapon. I would feel the same way about it.

 

[rct269]

That pride and admiration started a good bit before 1968. The last 357 Magnum that came to live at my house left Springfield on December 19, 1935. One look told you it was made by folks who knew how and cared how----a tough combination to beat!

And just so you have an idea how that came to be, a big, thumping .44 that lived here for quite a spell was shipped on February 23, 1909. Another one with the same size holes in it, but an entirely different look to it left on October 18, 1896. Both of them were clearly made by folks cut out of the same cloth.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[PauldL]

That pride and admiration started a good bit before 1968. The last 357 Magnum that came to live at my house left Springfield on December 19, 1935. One look told you it was made by folks who knew how and cared how----a tough combination to beat!

And just so you have an idea how that came to be, a big, thumping .44 that lived here for quite a spell was shipped on February 23, 1909. Another one with the same size holes in it, but an entirely different look to it left on October 18, 1896. Both of them were clearly made by folks cut out of the same cloth.

Ralph Tremaine

Lol, Ralph, I truly appreciate the kind words
But, when I talk about pride and admiration in 1968, I was talking just about me and my 27-2
I realize they were around before 1968
I apologize, I shoukdve made that more clear.
Thanks again, Ralph.
Btw, please feel free to post up some pics
The more the merrier!

 

[boykinlp]

Really nice! Who wouldn't be proud of that one? What kind of bullets are in your speed loader, kinda different?
Larry

 

[Dennis2149]

Super looking Smith Revolver. Congrats Pauldl. I picked-up a 27-2 6" several years ago from a local private seller. Sorry, no handy pic. It has a 1973 birthdate and wears an absolutely beautiful, bright finish like yours. IMO the factory had gifted craftsman that produced the fit/finish and quality we all desire in smith handguns
during the 60's, 70's and I'm sure well beyond. Best regards, Dennis2149

 

[rct269]

Lol, Ralph, I truly appreciate the kind words
But, when I talk about pride and admiration in 1968, I was talking just about me and my 27-2
I realize they were around before 1968
I apologize, I shoukdve made that more clear.
Thanks again, Ralph.
Btw, please feel free to post up some pics
The more the merrier!

Not a problem--------I know you were talking about yourself and your "27-2". I was talking about that which enabled you to do so.

A little abstract perhaps, but where's the fun in plain vanilla?

Ralph Tremaine

 

[PauldL]

Not a problem--------I know you were talking about yourself and your "27-2". I was talking about that which enabled you to do so.

A little abstract perhaps, but where's the fun in plain vanilla?

Ralph Tremaine

Lol, I was too afraid that I made it look like I didn't know anything to consider where you were coming from
I appreciate your patience

 

[PauldL]

Really nice! Who wouldn't be proud of that one? What kind of bullets are in your speed loader, kinda different?
Larry

Thank you, Larry
Those are 120gr Underwood Extreme Hunters
It's actually a Lehigh Defense bullet - they're 1,700 fps and well over 700 ft lbs and, as with just about all Underwood ammo they're more likely than not, a little faster and stronger than what the box says. Underwood is superb imo.
They really are quite nasty. I usually carry the Extreme Defender. Here's a .45 Auto version - 1,420 fps & I forget the ft lbs but, they outperform any hollow point by quite a bit actually- as far as wound channels go.
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/23Ysdsy2] [/URL]

 

[murphydog]

So, are you happy with your model 27?

I visited Krasne's regularly when I lived in San Diego in the early 1990s. Ed, one of the senior SWCA members and one of the founders, probably will have more to say about the shop.

Enjoy!

 

[PauldL]

So, are you happy with your model 27?

I visited Krasne's regularly when I lived in San Diego in the early 1990s. Ed, one of the senior SWCA members and one of the founders, probably will have more to say about the shop.

Enjoy!

Hehehe, I might be a little happy
Thank you, that's cool info
I really like Triple K Leather! That's what I use for my 19-3 and I have 2 sets of leather speedloaders from them
The nicest leather speedloader pouches I've ever had.
Super nice quality!

 

[westernswede]

It shipped on my tenth birthday. It has held up much better than me.

 

[rct269]

Lol, I was too afraid that I made it look like I didn't know anything to consider where you were coming from
I appreciate your patience

You looked to me like you knew any and everything you needed to know to like what you like, and to recognize I like what I like------as in "Different strokes for different folks". I suspect our differences in this regard arise in part from our backgrounds. My background started less than a year after that 357 from December of 1935 I mentioned---in September of 1936.

I bought my first S&W "collectible" in 1957. It wasn't really a collectible in any sense of the word---just what I thought was a neat old gun----a beater NM #3 with target sights. And truth be known, I didn't exactly buy it---I traded a brand new M1-A1 Thompson Sub Machine gun for it. Yeah, I know---dumb! But I had $90 in the Thompson, and the price of the NM #3 was $135----never mind I'd only had the Thompson for about three weeks, and had enough sense to know I'd be in some deep doo-doo if I got caught with it. It's short life with me was spent in the basement range of a friend, where we'd fire 2 or 3 round bursts, and then holler upstairs to his wife ("How many?")----to see if she could tell us how many shots were fired. She never could, so we had one good laugh after another. But between then and two years later I bought a couple of real collectibles---a couple of S&W Single Shots. They were still with me when I decided to liquidate my collection of S&W target guns three years ago. The last one left a few months back---all except for a couple of as new model number guns, a 17 and a 14, I kept as shooters---and have yet to fire the first shot from.

That brings us to yet another difference, the practice of referring to model number guns with model numbers-------a practice I find so irritating as to make my teeth hurt---especially from a marketing point of view. Consider this: If you or I, knowing what we know, were to go to the gun store to buy a house gun, we'd know what we wanted before we walked in the door. Another citizen on the same mission with little to no such knowledge is walking through that same door without such an advantage------and I suspect the number of such citizens numbers in the millions. What do you suppose he's going to do when he's obliged to tell the clerk when he's asked if he'd like to see a Combat Magnum or a Model 19? Such situations remind me of an old saying in the marketing business: "Sell the sizzle, not the steak."

Then there's another old saying destined to bring you a happy life: "Don't sweat the small stuff!"

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Mbrgr1]

Ralph Tremaine, Abstract Vanilla? Yes, I think so.

 

[larryofcc]

Just, please look over me fellas. I've been on Cloud 9 ever since I got my '68 27-2 3.5" - &, it's just insane at how beautiful these revolvers really are. They have more character & beauty than any gun made today (imo)
& as the title says, there's a definite "magic" to them.
That may indeed sound a bit silly but, I've never had another weapon come close the character & beauty of this 27. Except of course, another 27 & my model 19-3.
And, that character & beauty always gives me just a great sense of pride in ownership. It really does. Just knowing that these older 27's will never be duplicated again. Maybe imitated but, never duplicated ( I hope those are the correct words) Knowing that real craftsmen made these. Craftsmen, not assemblers. From what I understand it took years for the person to learn the craft.
It's really amazing to think that with all the advancements we've had since 1968, there is nothing that comes close to this type of character, beauty & actual feel & performance. These older model 27's are a true piece of real American ingenuity & craftsmanship. And, no doubt will endure the test of time. I mean, the gun is 3 & 1/2 years older than I am & it's in MUCH better shape than I am lol........if even just reasonably cared for, it will last for generations. The only & I mean ONLY negative that I can find with this model 27-2, is that I now want more! & that's only a negative as they cost quite a pretty penny & absolutely no doubt will only rise in cost. That's the only negative that I can come up with. Because even maintenance is a joy to do on these. ( lol, I haven't even shot her yet!) - but, I will.....so, all this being said, I knew I wanted to get her "lettered" - now, I already asked Mr. Jinks, when she was born. So, I knew that. But, Why not just go ahead and get an official letter. So, I did. & I actually got it out of the mail this morning & I must say that Mr. Don Mundell, S&W Asst. Historian, did an OUTSTANDING job. As you will see, there's a very, very, good history on the model 27. I really enjoyed reading & learning about. & at the end of the letter is where I learned when exactly she left the factory & where she went to. She left the S&W Roosevelt Avenue Factory on April 26, 1968 & went to Krasne's Inc. in San Diego, Ca. Some of yall may better know Krasne's Inc. as Triple K.
At any rate, I really appreciate this forum, it's members, & just being able to share with folks like me, whom really love the older S&W (as well as s the new) Revolvers.
Here's a couple pics. Thanks for letting me share gang.
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/z3834nCJ] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/8srYq0Sv] [/URL]
http://[url=https://postimg.cc/0rmttKYd] [/URL]

Jerry Krasne was the Police Officers friend. He was also my friend. He was a Smith and Wesson distributer. The Police got great discounts. I bought my service revolver, a M28, from him.
I have a MIB Colt Buntline Special 45 that was shipped to Krasnes in 1958. He had it in his personal collection, until I bought it for the Princely sum of $145.
Triple K came later.
He had two locations and was the best gun store in San Diego. Big Larry

 

[Glashaus]

Very nice 27! I have been meaning to get mine lettered but yours has narrowed mine down a bit. My 3 1/2" inch M27-2 is about 700 under yours so most likely shipped in the Spring of 68 as well.

 

[BillBro]

Best looking revolver ever made, and everybody knows it. There has never been and never will be a better looking revolver than the 3.5" S&W M27. I just love those things. Unbelievably beautiful and the attention to detail, the checkering, the bluing, the proportions, all are just so perfectly harmonious. Just simply the pinnacle of the art of the revolver.

Your speciman sir is all of these things and more. A sincere congratulations.

Stepping down from my soapbox now.��

 

[SF VET]

I lucked into my only S&W a year ago, not knowing anything about it until I brought it home. Just liked it when I saw it in the Gun Library at my local Cabela's. $600 for a perfect, clean, unmarred 28-2. Shoots like a ***** cat with my 38 spl loads, soon to make up some mags for it. Got an El Paso holster for it, and found some snake loads.

Looking at the OP's gorgeous 27, with that magnificent blueing, I think if I had that pistol, I would be reluctant to ever put it into a holster and carry it when out and about in the woods.

I shoot every firearm I have, except the likely unfired 1915 Luger from my deceased father in law. But that 28 would be too perfect to handle with my sweaty hands, or slip into a holster or try an IDPA shoot with it.

I have a kin with three expensive Ferrari's He only drives them on sunny days. Now at 75 years old, I tend to think life is too short to not enjoy what one has as much as possible.

The more pictures I see of just beautiful pistols on this forum, the more I learn about them, and admire them. Like the OP's 28 above. SF VET

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very nice revolver! I really like the .357 Magnums and Model 27s, particularly the 3-1/2" bbl. versions. I have a couple of 27-2s from the early 70's...one has had a trigger job, and the other sports some unusual brass plates on the bottom of the stocks. Your early 27-2 is very interesting and has a cool history. Enjoy!

 

[PALADIN85020]

That's a beautiful gun; one to be proud of. I agree that the 3.5" Model 27 is perhaps the most handsome revolver ever made by S&W.

Here is my 27-2, vintage of September 1978, glorified with Roper-style stocks crafted by Curt Harlow - a member of this forum. It's one I'll probably never part with.

John