Help me restore this gun (pre-27)

[kevh481]

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:

 

[Pilgrim]

The only way to know what hammer/trigger/stocks came on it would be a letter from Mr Jinks.

 

[Nightowl]

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.

 

[gjamison]

before you send it to S&W send David Chicoine an email oldwestgunsmith.com

this is his web site, you can get his email from there.
he is very good!!

 

[DCWilson]

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?

 

[ia1727]

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

 

[VM]

kevh481 -
I have an old trigger for you that is new old stock - pm sent

 

[JSR III]

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.

 

[model70hunter]

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.

 

[kevh481]

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.

 

[Dave T]

I'm one of those "jerks" who likes a smooth trigger. If you find a replacement for that one I'll buy it from you. Send me a PM or e-mail at: [email protected]

Dave

 

[H Richard]

If you're going to shoot it much, I wouldn't change out that trigger. A smooth trigger is an improvement in DA shooting. You may want to get ir re-casehardened.

 

[moosedog]

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.

 

[Nightowl]

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.

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[inyomono]

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?

 

[Gary7]

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.

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.

 

[majex45]

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.

 

[gunfish]

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.

 

[Jim Watson]

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.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

+1 with gunfish,the new S&W bluing will not match,the gun looks good the way it is now,go out and shoot the heck out of it!

 

[tom turner]

I really LIKE your trigger! Since its no safe queen it really doesn't matter as long as you like it the way it is.

My favorite Smith is a 25-2 .45ACP (former) target revolver with the barrel long ago chopped to 3 1/4". I won a lot of pin matches with that slick-as-a-goose trigger job, and its wonderful handling characteristics.

One of the things that got done was its super-wide target trigger was radically narrowed and smoothed . . . and this was the ticket for great double action fun!

I've had several forum members contact me about its details so they could duplicate it in a "shooter" N frame themselves. One guy right now is doing this to a shooter M57 he owns . . .

Yep, I'd enjoy that M27 just the way it is. I wish I had one just like it to shoot. My 27-2 3 1/2" barreled specimen is too nice to shoot!

In any event, you've got a great looking ol' gun. I like it!

Good luck,

Tom

 

[Marshal Tom]

I agree with the guys who say to leave it as is. It looks perfectly good to me. Find a safe queen if you want another but take that one out and shoot the snot out of it and enjoy it.

Tom

 

[Big Lou]

Clean out your private messages! My PM to you bounced back!

I too, have a 3.5" pre model 27 shipped to San Diego & I want to compared notes!

Thanks.

P.S.....I agree with several others ref leave it as is. If you plan on carrying it on the job (and you're a working guy not a desk jockey), you'll have it banged up in no time. Why spend the money on "good looks". Spend it on ammo, a good holster and a pair of Pachmayrs. JMHO

Have fun.

 

[n4zov]

I agree with kevh481's decision to send it back to S&W to return it to as original condition as possible especially since he has already decided that is what he wants to do! I don't care for smooth triggers at all and the lack of case hardening would bother me no end. Since the gun is 50+ years old, a trip to the factory for a thorough mechanical check is in order especially since somebody has already tinkered with it. Please post some before and after photos when you get it back!

 

[old bear]

Kevh481, advice is generally worth what you pay for it, so here is my free advice to you. You already have a great pre M-27 that you have decided to use, from time to time, the way it was meant to be used. So if the non grooved trigger bothers you that much replace it, then spend your time and money on locating some period leather for it; something like a carved or basket weave Burns and Martin holster would really be an eye catching rig. Now, horrors of horrors I would add a Tyler T-grip into the mix.
No matter what ever you chose to do just enjoy it.

 

[BSA]

I have a particular love for 4" N-Frames with a 4 x 357, 4 x 44, 4 x 45. A 3.5 x 357 is a lot of weight to pack concealed. Buy a heavy leather belt to support that weight.

The smooth trigger you find distasteful is actually the recommended choice for fast and fancy double action shooting as it allows the trigger finger to slide on the trigger. Since you intend to carry it as a duty weapon I would get it a try.

It is not necessary to send your gun back to Smith & Wesson for the work you want. Any good gunsmith can change the hammer and trigger. Just remember that you are going to lose that wonderful butter smooth your gun has now. So figure extra for having a action job done.

Like some of the others the finish of your gun doesn't look bad and I would not have it reblued yet. Remember those old S&W's have a bright blue that the factory no longer does.

I am surprised no one has suggested you polish the finish yourself. One product I have is called "Sweet Shooter". Just sit in front of the TV and rub it in with a cleaning patch. Maybe you could do this while sitting outside the courtroom. ;-) A couple of evening sessions and your gun will have a new look.