Finally Found My 3.5" .357 Magnum - after a long search

Gun Relics

Gun Relics

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About 6 months ago I was up early, having coffee and trolling the auctions. I found a gold Pre-27 3.5" box for under $100 with a "buy it now". I did, and held my breath until it actually showed up and it was in great shape.

I have been looking for a pre-27 3.5" ever since but didn't want to break the bank. A gun dealer and friend told me he came across one in a reasonable trade. The price was very good so I had the usual doubts. Refinished? Re-barreled? Mismatched? Before buying and before my friend made the trade, I researched the serial number to make sure the gun was as shipped. The invoice came through. It was with a batch of .357 magnums ordered for a police department (supported by police affadivits) 3.5" and shipped October of 1954 to Chicago. No police markings though.

It arrived and the gun is amazing. The finish is beautiful, the bore pristine, the numbers match. So glad I was patient and now have one less bucket list gun to worry about. Off into the safe!


Pre-27 3.5 1.jpg
Pre-27 3.5 2.jpg


Pre-27 3.5 3a.jpg
 
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If the gun is mint and your into it for less than 3K ya done good. I just bought a matching mint box, papers, tools, as new. No idea why the 3.5 is so expensive. Looks great!
 
AC Man said:
If the gun is mint and your into it for less than 3K ya done good. I just bought a matching mint box, papers, tools, as new. No idea why the 3.5 is so expensive. Looks great!
Click to expand...

They don't seem to be getting any cheaper, that's for sure.

I wonder if these guns really went to a police department. I just can't imagine them being packed away and not used.
 
AC Man said:
If the gun is mint and your into it for less than 3K ya done good. I just bought a matching mint box, papers, tools, as new. No idea why the 3.5 is so expensive. Looks great!
Click to expand...
You can't believe how many auctions I got beat on. I found a really nice one a collector had and balked at the price - at first - then I decided to buy it and it was gone.

The gun hunt is half the fun. Like love, sometimes you find it in the strangest places. Or they find you!
 
Congrats on the new acquisition!
The 3.5" N frame .357 is Luca Brazzi approved.
It is interesting that while much smaller .357's exist the big N frame with short barrel is the one most sought after especially since it is better suited as a target gun.
Iirc the 3.5" and 5" were not produced in lower numbers either.
People like what they like and the 3.5" is an iconic S&W that is highly prized and sought after especially a 5 screw.
 
Congrats on the purchase. I am a sucker when it comes to box papers tools in mint condition I don't care what the gun is if it is old and I am interested I have a problem passing. LOL Those 357 3.5 in gold box don't come along often.
 
I will never forgive nor forget the time I turned down a 3.5" 27-4 in about 85% 'shooter' condition for all of $725 about ten years back, but when you don't have it so it goes! I keep telling myself someday I'll come across a nice early one like yours, OP - enjoy in good health! Beautiful with the box, as well.
 
AC Man said:
Congrats on the purchase. I am a sucker when it comes to box papers tools in mint condition I don't care what the gun is if it is old and I am interested I have a problem passing. LOL Those 357 3.5 in gold box don't come along often.
Click to expand...
There's no doubt to collectors the full package is premium. In many cases, the box is more difficult to locate than the guns. My list of cases needed grows by the day. I really lucked into this one especially since it's so well preserved.
 
Gun Relics said:
About 6 months ago I was up early, having coffee and trolling the auctions. I found a gold Pre-27 3.5" box for under $100 with a "buy it now". I did, and held my breath until it actually showed up and it was in great shape.

I have been looking for a pre-27 3.5" ever since but didn't want to break the bank. A gun dealer and friend told me he came across one in a reasonable trade. The price was very good so I had the usual doubts. Refinished? Re-barreled? Mismatched? Before buying and before my friend made the trade, I researched the serial number to make sure the gun was as shipped. The invoice came through. It was with a batch of .357 magnums ordered for a police department (supported by police affadivits) 3.5" and shipped October of 1954 to Chicago. No police markings though.

It arrived and the gun is amazing. The finish is beautiful, the bore pristine, the numbers match. So glad I was patient and now have one less bucket list gun to worry about. Off into the safe!


View attachment 765208
View attachment 765218


View attachment 765220
Click to expand...
Was probably a staff officers revolver...looks hardly used...great catch!
 
Gun Relics said:
They don't seem to be getting any cheaper, that's for sure.

I wonder if these guns really went to a police department. I just can't imagine them being packed away and not used.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind often a department will require say 50 guns to outfit all members and buy 60 to have spares in the event of loss breakage @ gun being required to be put into evidence etc. so sometimes you get the police trade that was rode hard and put up wet, other times the cherry spare not used at all. Often admin types like chiefs / desk officers might not wear the gun all the time, leaving it in a desk drawer for much of its life. An N Frame bring heavy, if a plain clothes guy had the option of carrying a lighter K or J snub, he might not have carried the N at all.
 
Freakin' AWESOME! I'm a big fan of the S&W 'Models of 1950'; my 1954 vintage .357 has the long barrel, and was carried by a LEO in Southern Colorado for years... not as pretty as your new gun and no box, of course, but was lovingly cared for and still shoots 'purty durn good.'
 
Very nice, mine is my favorite of all I have. It shoots quite well and is accurate. The magna grips and weight is just the best feel and distribution.
Looks real clean and that gold can’t be beat.
 
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