Help with 27-2 Stock Modification

[Hawg Rider]

A friend and co-worker approached me recently, saying that he was selling a few guns for his father. Knowing that I was a S&W aficionado (particularly N-frames), he showed me a blued Model 27-2, 3-1/2" bbl. in excellent condition (just a few scratches). S/N N47210 (ca. 1970), it was in the box with all the tools and paperwork. He offered it to me for $675, so how could I pass it up. However, there were a couple of issues...Firstly- the original wide target hammer and trigger had been changed out to the narrower versions, but the original parts were in the box so I have no issue with that. But secondly, the original owner put thin brass plates on the bottom of each stock. Does anyone know the purpose for those plates? Would it have been for presentation engraving, or just to protect the base of the stocks? I've never seen that before. Should I try to carefully remove them and refinish the stocks? Suggestions? But irregardless, I was extremely fortunate to purchase this beautiful revolver at a great price.

 

[Old_Cop]

Leave it alone and be thankful for the "gift". If you must, buy replacement magnas or some nice Culinas.

 

[series guy]

I have always seen the brass butt plates done as one piece and screwed to the stocks. This was a popular addition to LE guns for behavior modification of suspects. More weight and less chance of splitting the stocks. The brass on your gun looks thinner than most and very well done. It also looks like it's been there a while. I would let sleeping dogs lie as they say.

 

[fleabus101]

Years ago these type plates were sold to protect the butt ends from damage. Often
police would attach them to use in case
they had to use the butt as a "tool" so to speak
in handling situations.
Mainly decoration for some. Went out of
favor many moons ago.They show up now and then although many dont recognize them.

 

[fleabus101]

Apologies as I typed while the former reply beat me to you. Best..

 

[Art Doc]

Sell the stocks and buy the ones you want. They have screws in the bottom or were glued on. I think Targets are too big on the short barrel but that's me.

A 1970 27-2 had to be ordered with Target options. Not standard until 1975 or 76.

You paid about 60% of value.

 

[RKmesa]

... He offered it to me for $675, so how could I pass it up.

Beautiful gun. I agree with Old Cop, grips are a fun thing to adorn any gun with. I play musical grips regularly (always keeping the ones that came with the gun stored and marked and close by). Find some grips that you like, buy them and customize your gun however you want.

 

[H Richard]

To many collectors that brass plate might raise the value of the gun. Especially if there is documentation who owned the gun and a police connection. Leave it alone. I have seen both brass and polished metal with fancy engraving of initials, department, tournament win's, etc.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The plot thickens...

I usually clean a gun as soon as I get it, so that was my plan this morning. I removed the stocks, did a wipe down with Hoppe's followed by a few drops of oil and some Ren Wax. Guess what I found hand-inscribed inside the right stock: "Special Order Gold". Now I'm not saying that these plates are gold or gold-plated, but it sure makes me wonder. It looks like brass, but it's not tarnished like brass ???. The two plates are bonded to the bottom of the stocks, and there is no engraving. Interesting...

 

[arjay]

I'd leave the stocks as they are and buy a second pair.Im guessing those brass plates are glued on (contact adhesive) and the wood is likely to splinter when you pry them off

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in the 1970s, butt plates were seen quite often on police revolvers in the South. All of the ones I saw were one piece and screwed to the butt. Most were brass and were engraved. I've seen the S&W logo, badges and the officer's name on the butt. The majority were about 1/4" thick. I saw a few aluminum ones as well.

Police handguns get banged up while entering and exiting patrol cars. The butt plates helped prevent that. While I never saw it happen, I'm sure the heavy butt plate was used to "adjust an attitude or two" over the years.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'll leave it alone...

Yes, I'll just leave the plates alone...although I'm still not sure if they are brass or gold-plated. Since the plates are pretty thin and bonded on, they're probably more for bling than to be used as a headknocker. I'm not sure if a Mr. Jinx letter would clear anything up, other than maybe tell me if it was shipped to a police dept. or not. Except for the butt plates, this '70 27-2 3-1/2" is a twin to my '71 27-2 3-1/2" revolver.

 

[krsmith58]

congrats on your new revolver . it's a beauty . I have never seen that before but kind of like it . if anyone knows where stocks with added plates can be had please share that info . I would love to have a set with gold plates . I think they look great . thanks , Kenny texas

 

[flagman1776]

I became aware of the brass plates being an add on back in the 70's. I never this did any on my guns. I don't recall the fad lasting very long.

 

[Mblhopo]

I would just polish them and then leave them alone. If you don't like them put on a set you do like...……………………………………………..M*

 

[Oracle]

I have never seen brass butt plates on revolver stocks before but I like them. They certainly add an uniqueness factor and could possibly bolster the value. The 70's cops didn't have the resources today's cops have so a tool to "splain" the rules to crooks would have been handy.

 

[Beauetienne]

How cool is that? Congrats!

 

[flagman1776]

I don't like it. It makes it difficult to clean and lube the gun. The ones I saw had small screw holes, so they could be removed for service. I wonder if they'd come off with heat like a heat gun?

Never the less, they are part of the gun's history and it wouldn't be wrong to leave them.

 

[SS57]

I would take those off faster then Justin Bieber's neighbors move. Refinish the bottom, very easy.

 

[reccpd101]

I worked with officers who had the plates on the stocks in the 70's. Based on the uniform patrolman's salaries then, if it was a LE gun, the plates were d__n sure NOT gold. I never so them used for an impact weapon that's why you carried a roll of nickels, a leaded glove, or a CONVOY blackjack (No joke that was the name commercially embossed on the leather strap).