Help me restore this gun (pre-27)

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kevh481

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I bought a S-framed pre-Model 27 a few months back. I had looked long and hard for a 3.5" barrel 27 and finally found one online for an acceptable price and jumped on it. The gun had been refinished at some point in its life, but they hadn't messed with the checkering and hadn't buffed out the markings too bad. Unfortunately, the hammer has been polished and the trigger face made smooth and polished as well.

I have decided I want to send the gun to S&W to get refinished an everything "made right." This is not a collector gun since it has already been tampered with and is going to be carried by me. I want the gun to have the correct hammer and trigger though and am now on the hunt. S&W customer service said to find the appropriate hammer and trigger if I can and send them with the gun.

I had the gun lettered (it was shipped to San Diego in March 1958), but the letter did not mention what hammer and trigger it should have come with.

Anyone know the correct part numbers or where I can get these? Here are pics of the gun and how it sits now:

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The 27s came with standard hammer and trigger. That looks like the correct hammer and the trigger is probably the original grooved one that was polished smooth. It is my understanding that Smith will no longer work on guns that are pre 1958 ie that are model marked. You might call customer service and try to talk to Kate Fredette.
 
You have your answer already, but I'll enlarge a bit. Unless the letter specifically states "target hammer" and "target trigger," I take the position that the gun came with the standard hammer and trigger. That's what you have on your revolver, save that the grooved trigger has been smoothed. These parts should be case hardened. That's the only thing missing that I see in your photos.

Good looking gun. Those might be the original stocks. Have you pulled them to see if they number correctly?
 
I'd be very happy with it just the way it is--it's a shooter so take her to the range and just have fun with it. JMHO

Steve
 
Is the gun marked as having been back to the factory for a refinish? It certainly doesn't look refinished to me. Sideplate fit and contour looks good, screw heads and holes look OK. I can't see any rounded corners or places where it looks over buffed. Hard to tell from photos, but it even looks like the barrel pins are rounded.:D
 
If you are going to shoot it you might enjoy it as is. I have a 19-3 that has been hard chromed and had Stainless or plated TT hammer and trigger added. It looks funky but has become my favorite travel gun. Shoot it for a while it might grow on you.
 
I have Mr. Jinks' letter. It doesn't say what type of trigger or hammer the gun came with. It only says what is currently on it is not factory.

I removed the grips and there is no serial number visible inside them. I wouldn't be surprised if the same jerk that polished the trigger and hammer didn't remove it.

I'm fairly positive that the gun has been refinished by someone other than the factory. Comparing it with other S&W's of the same vintage it just doesn't look "right."

As I stated previously, this gun is going to go back to the factory to get refinished and cleaned up. I have a holster for it and I do plan to carry it every now and then while in plain clothes. I just want to be sure everything is correct as possible on the gun.
 
Your gun doesn't appear refinished to me. Doesn't appear too badly worn either. If it was mine i'd leave it as is.
Hope you post pictures of it after what ever you choose to do with it.
 
Interesting that S&W says that they will work on your 1958 gun. I asked them to do some work on my 1957 K-22 and they told me that the did not work on any gun earlier than 1959. What gives?
 
kevh481 said:
I have Mr. Jinks' letter. It doesn't say what type of trigger or hammer the gun came with. It only says what is currently on it is not factory.

I removed the grips and there is no serial number visible inside them. I wouldn't be surprised if the same jerk that polished the trigger and hammer didn't remove it.

I'm fairly positive that the gun has been refinished by someone other than the factory. Comparing it with other S&W's of the same vintage it just doesn't look "right."

As I stated previously, this gun is going to go back to the factory to get refinished and cleaned up. I have a holster for it and I do plan to carry it every now and then while in plain clothes. I just want to be sure everything is correct as possible on the gun.
Click to expand...

For the time and money you are going to spend getting this 27 "right" you could probably find another one that is already "right," have two, and just keep this one as is for a shooter.
 
Personal opinion

It's just my personal opinion but the smooth trigger and polished hammer are signs of its long and useful life. I'd keep them to show it is a working tool and has had a good life.
I wouldn't reblue it either. Rather - imagine the history, who used it, for what, for how long? Ah! If only they could tell their story.
 
Very Nice! Buy 400$ of .357 Mag cartridges. Shoot it until the cartridges are gone. Then you can make your decision. S&W would use their current bluing method which is very good, but not correct for this gun. You can always refinish it if you choose.
 
Is the trigger pull especially nice even for a S&W?
I know one gunsmith who routinely polished the case colors off the hammer and ground the serrations off the trigger as part of his action job. There may be more than cosmetics involved here.

I should have said "knew" a gunsmith, he is since deceased.
 
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