Help Identifying Revolver

[KDGExcelsior]

Hello,

I'd like help identifying my revolver. Pictures attached. Other important information:

• 1. Type: Hand-Ejector
• 2. Yoke Info:
  • a. MOD 27-3
  • b. E25
  • c. REG0103
    
• 3. Number in Yoke(Not Serial): 11543
• 4. Calibur: (Not Sure) - No Markings
• 5. Barrel Length: 5 Inch
• 6. Sights: Hand Ejector Post-War Adjustable

Would like help identifying the year and type of the gun, and any other useful information. I would love to restore this as you notice there is some rust-gunk build up on the left side of the barrel. Please let me know if you need any more info.

 

[22hipower]

That serial number doesn't work for a 27-3. Pull the stocks and check the number on the bottom of the butt. There should be a caliber stamp on the right side of the barrel. Side plate appears to have been removed and has a rather wide seam which suggests heavy buffing and a refinish. Maybe the barrel lost its caliber stamp during the buffing. Let us know the actual SN and we may be able to offer more info; a mid '80s -3 should be in the N800000/N900000 range.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Jim Watson]

As marked, it is a Model 27-3 originally in .357 Magnum BUT with the caliber designation erased from the barrel in a poor refinish.
Show us the chambers and muzzle, it might have been converted to a different caliber.
Real official legal serial number is on the bottom of the butt, now covered by the target stocks.

 

[KDGExcelsior]

As marked, it is a Model 27-3 originally in .357 Magnum BUT with the caliber designation erased from the barrel in a poor refinish.
Show us the chambers and muzzle, it might have been converted to a different caliber.
Real official legal serial number is on the bottom of the butt, now covered by the target stocks.

Yes, sir, please see the attached. Does the refinish affect the gun's performance and value? If these photos don't work, let me know, and I will try to take better ones. Unfortunately, I don't have the proper tool to remove the stock, so ill have to get back to you on that.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Yes, a refinish definitely impacts the guns value; fortunately the performance is not affected. The 27-3 is an N frame gun and this one looks to be wearing K frame stocks.

Todd

 

[L-2]

It looks like the subject 27-3 is from 1985, based on what I read in my "book":

Model 27-3, Serial number range REG0000-REG2500, Product Code 101021 2501 manufactured in 1985.

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 229). (Function). Kindle Edition.

 

[murphydog]

It is a 50th Anniversary Registered (.357) Magnum commemorative. Unfortunately, as noted above it has been poorly refinished, including removing the caliber marking.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums.

I agree, it is a Model 27-3 that was poorly refinished. The prominent side plate seam is a dead giveaway of a refinish as is the lack of caliber markings on the barrel. There is significant pitting in the exterior steel surfaces and the blued finish is matte, a correct Model 27 would have either a highly polished blue or nickel plated finish. This piece has zero collector value. I would say it is a relatively low grade shooter given the pitting and matte blued finish.

 

[moosedog]

All that your gun has been thru has reduced it to a shooter grade firearm, as long as its mechanically ok. Any attempts to restore it would be throwing your money away.

 

[Hawg Rider]

It looks like the subject 27-3 is from 1985, based on what I read in my "book":

Model 27-3, Serial number range REG0000-REG2500, Product Code 101021 2501 manufactured in 1985.

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 229). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Welcome to the Forum, KDGExcelsior! I agree with L-2 that you have a .357 Magnum 50th Year Commemorative "The First Magnum". Your s/n REG0103 makes it one of the first of the 2501 revolvers manufactured in 1985. Originally your revolver would have been wearing smooth wood presentation stocks, and the barrel and right sideplate would have been stamped and the letters would have been gold filled (actually it's bronze powder). The revolver would have been sold with a wood presentation case and a registration certificate. If ANIB, it would be valued at $1300+. I'm not sure why someone would desecrate your revolver like they did...the revolver has had all of the commemorative markings polished off and then the gun was poorly refinished, and the stocks were replaced with checkered target speedloader stocks from the 1990s. What a shame! However, with all that said, you still have a nice 5" Model 27-3 that should be a good shooter. You should be able to carefully remove most of the "corrosion" (gunk), but there's no sense in throwing away your money on a another refinish. In its present condition, I would value your revolver at $450. I'll bet it was a beautiful revolver back in 1985!

 

[KDGExcelsior]

Thank you everyone for your guidance. Funny background story maybe you all will laugh at, is that I recently purchased this gun at a local gunshow (most likely overpaid given all the info I learned). I went in fully thinking I'd be getting something else but this piece did catch my eye. The gentleman told me it was stored in an ATF warehouse or something for many years and that its never been fired or sold. Not sure the validity of that but I was just drawn to it nonetheless, as I been wanted a cool range shooter. In fact I am kind of allured by its history, with it being the "The First Magnum" commemorative edition and it being my first S&W and how I was drawn to it. Even though its been downgraded to just a range shooter they say with lemons make lemonade and this is my first S&W and "classic" gun (Classic for a young man hah) for that matter so for me it will be a good story down the line. I appreciate the expert help and guidance from you all.

 

[murphydog]

I'd take it out to the range and see how it shoots. It looks plain but may work really well!

 

[cgt4570]

It might have been damaged in a flood or fire. It might have been left in a holster in a damp environment. Many ways to ruin a finish. It must have been a real basket case to require that much buffing. Hopefully the bore and chambers are good, and it turns out to be a fun shooter.

 

[stansdds]

Not buying the story of it being unsold and stored in an ATF warehouse.

 

[murphydog]

The only scenario I can think of with the backstory would be a lost or stolen gun, involved in some kind of Federal legal case, that could not be traced back to a legal or living owner. It would be a first that I can recall.

 

[LittleAugieMo]

"Oil Me" thats where I'd start

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... Funny background story maybe you all will laugh at, is that I recently purchased this gun at a local gunshow (most likely overpaid given all the info I learned).

The gentleman told me it was stored in an ATF warehouse or something for many years and that its never been fired or sold. Not sure the validity of that but ...

Buy the gun not the story. That revolver has been abused over the last 40 years.

Used car salesmen = used gun salesmen.

 

[stansdds]

Used car salesmen = used gun salesmen.

And some are more honest than others.