First N-Frame

[Gartenmeister]

Picked up my first N-frame, a 27-2. It is in pretty good shape and I like the grips. Haven't shot it yet.

Serial is N 3770xx. Am I correct in thinking this would be circa 1977?

 

[OutWest50]

Probably 1976 or 1977. Congratulations on your first (but probably not your last) N-frame. Very nice 27. They are great guns.

 

[444 Magnum]

Beautiful pistol. The grips are superb but I think a little later...1982+. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong or elaborate.

Either way, that's a nice one.

 

[JLove008]

Great looking gun! Congrats and thanks for sharing!

 

[RKmesa]

Picked up my first N-frame, a 27-2. It is in pretty good shape and I like the grips. Haven't shot it yet.

Serial is N 3770xx. Am I correct in thinking this would be circa 1977?

What a wonderful first N-Frame. The 8 3/8" Model 27s are some of my favorite shooting irons. They are tack drivers and tame even the most aggressive loads. As noted above, the grips are newer than the gun - but wow they are BEAUTIFUL Goncalo Alves!! Some feel that the finger groove target stocks are some of the most comfortable grips to grab on to while shooting.

For shipping reference, N361480 and N394994 are 8 3/8" 27-2s in my collection and they bookend your gun, shipping in October 1976 and June 1977, respectively. So an estimated ship date of 1977 for your gun does not appear to be unreasonable. Only an Historical letter will tell you for sure, as S&W did not ship in SN order.

Congrats and enjoy and thanks for sharing!!!

 

[D Brown]

That's a beautiful gun; congratulations!

 

[stansdds]

Very nice Model 27-2 and a fine introduction to the N-frame S&W revolver line.

 

[Hawg Rider]

That sure is a pretty Model 27-2, and the stocks really add to it! Hardly a turn line on the cylinder and the color case hardened hammer and trigger are great. It obviously hasn't been shot much, and has been well cared for. Did your revolver come with the mahogany presentation case and tools? I'm not a big fan of the 8-3/8" long tubes (6-1/2" bbl. is usually as long as I go), but yours might have me rethink my choices. Enjoy!

 

[Gartenmeister]

Thanks guys. It actually looks even better than the photos, which I had a hard time with. A lot of the marks on it are just fingerprints, not wear. I agree that it does not look like it has been shot much at all. It does have some scratches on the barrel which are unfortunate but probably contributed to keeping the price reasonable. No box or anything came with it. It does seem like the kind of gun that just should live in a presentation case though.

Are the grips dated? It is hard to read but one of them could possibly be marked NOV 1987. I bought the gun for the look of the grips, but I really, really like them in-hand.

If the gun was shipped in 1977 it would be a "birth year" gun for me.

 

[CH4]

Wow! Beautiful 27
Although those grips are not period correct, they look great on that piece.
With that beautiful grain, those grips could fetch $300+ alone. Not a collector of 8” anything, but I would have bought it just for the grips.

 

[444 Magnum]

Are the grips dated? It is hard to read but one of them could possibly be marked NOV 1987.

Yes, and that would be the correct time frame for the grips.

 

[doubletapp357]

I have a Model 57 with an N389 serial number and was told it was 1976

 

[jeffrefrig]

Whenever the grips are from, they sure look good on that revolver, which also looks great!

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations very nice first N frame gun.

 

[bananaman]

My 1st N Frame. 28 no dash from 1960. Have added others, because that is what we do! Bob

 

[Retired W4]

I had to add a "like" to that one. Great 1st N frame.

The guy at the factory who made those stocks was smiling from ear to ear as he made them.

 

[Bruceboy]

Be warned, N's are addictive. Congrats, 27's were the flagship model.

Al