Help with a 4 screw ca. 1960 Model 27

[victorylarry]

I recently picked up this four screw Model 27 off of GB. The smooth cokes were what originally attracted me to the gun. Question for the 27 experts: Is the front "ramp" sight an addition as I thought these were standard with partridge sights? Thanks in advance for any help/opinions.

 

[victorylarry]

I recently picked up this four screw Model 27 off of GB. The smooth cokes were what originally attracted me to the gun. Question for the 27 experts: Is the front "ramp" sight an addition as I thought these were standard with partridge sights? Thanks in advance for any help/opinions.

 

[Nightowl]

What I have learned here is that the round pin holding the sight indicates that it has been replaced. Normally, the pins were polished with the barrel and are hardly seen. A round pin indicates a replacement after polishing and bluing. However, it could have been a special order and the sights replaced before shipping, so it could letter with those sights.

 

[wordsmith]

Larry,

Look closely at the single pin holding the blade in place and the area around it. If the pin shows any sign of being tapped on with a punch, it's most likely been in & out - if not replaced. If there's no sign of the pin being tampered with, it's original. The single-pin blades had, early on, rounded ends exposed on both sides.

Ramp sights on the longer bbls. were coming into vogue by 1960 and there were quite a few target guns ordered the same configuration as yours. My money says the sights are original..

David

 

[Art Doc]

It is my understanding that there is no such thing as smooth Cokes. Cokes only came on 41 and 44 Magnums made 1956-1967 and they were checkered.

Also, I think I have heard the rounded sight pin theory disputed. Seems some members have noted their guns have rounded pins and were not refinished.

But I could be wrong.

I would question the target trigger as original. Not impossible but extremely unlikely and if one thing has been modified you wonder about the rest of the gun.

It looks real nice in the photos. If refinished it was a nice job.

 

[wordsmith]

Frank,

"Coke-bottle" is the collectors term for the palm-swell type target stock, the factory never referred to them as such. The first of the oversize "N"-frame target stocks, both smooth and checkered, appeared in 1952-1953 and were generally only used on engraved / special order guns (like tu-tones) until 1956. The earliest lettered pair I'm personally aware of are on an engraved Pre-27 shipped Fall 1952, have a pronounced palm-swell and are detailed in the letter as "Primavera smooth oversize target stocks".

So, to we collectors, there are 'smooth cokes' and that's the way I've heard them described since I started messing w/ S&W's in 1982.


Side note to Larry.. My experience is that 'upgrade' guns in the 1960-up period, with sight options such as yours, most often are also equipped with the 3-T's. Hopefully it will letter w/ all the options, including the smooth stocks.

David

 

[smith17]

Larry:
That is one smooth-looking gun. Thanks for posting.
Ed

 

[Art Doc]

You're the expert.

I don't even like the term Cokes.

And I certainly can't keep it straight which are and which aren't.

And since the last set I saw for sale went for $885 it doesn't really matter as I will never own any.

I'm calling all of my stocks Pepsi just to be different.

 

[greenberry]

I am just really getting into the more tech side of the S&W guns but I have to say that is a fine looking revolver with a great looking set of grips. I have a 27-2 that I would like to get a set of the presentation/smooth cokes on.

 

[wordsmith]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:

I don't even like the term Cokes.

I'm calling all of my stocks Pepsi just to be different.

I am with YOU, Frank.., other than I just flat don't like or drink Pepsi's. Rather have a Green Spot Orange (telling my age now..). Wonder if / where one could go about finding a Green Spot anymore ? They've been out of business a long time, right ??


David

 

[Art Doc]

I kept it simple on my 1960 M27.

 

[victorylarry]

Thanks everyone for the advice/opinions.

David,
Originally I wasn't planning on lettering this one, but you've changed my mind. I'll have to take a closer look at the front sight pin to see if it's been off. Thanks again and see you in Tulsa for the spring show.
Larry

 

[wordsmith]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
I kept it simple on my 1960 M27.

Nickel, diamond grips, 5".. NOW we're talkin' !!

DLC

 

[Muley Gil]

Nickel, diamond grips, 5".. NOW we're talkin' !!

That one would do for walking the beat around Carolina Ave and 19th St, in the Cut-Off, wouldn't it, David?

 

[TSQUARED]

As I remember ib those days gone bye the S&W 357 Magnum could be orderd with any sight combination. A popular combo was the red ramp front and white outline rear sights.

 

[DHENRY]

Roy has (indeed) put the 'rounded sight pin' issue to bed several years ago.
It does not necessarily indicate a refinish or a change.
What it does indicate is the order in which the sight was installed and polished.
Don

 

[GLL]

David:

GREEN SPOT ORANGE is still available !

Unfortunately it is now made in S.E. Asia and not imported into the U.S. ! You can get a bottle on your next trip to Bangkok !

My local soda supplier stocks over 250 different brands but is unable to import GREEN SPOT !

Need a bottle of MOXIE ?

Jerry

 

[pace40]

Originally posted by wordsmith:
The earliest lettered pair I'm personally aware of are on an engraved Pre-27 shipped Fall 1952, have a pronounced palm-swell and are detailed in the letter as "Primavera smooth oversize target stocks".
David

 

[Merrifield]

On the Model 27 it seems the 6" barrels usually have the patridge sight, while the 6.5" barrels most often have the ramp.

Are the rear sights white-outline?

Nice looking revolver.

 

[wordsmith]

Originally posted by Muley Gil:

Nickel, diamond grips, 5".. NOW we're talkin' !!

That one would do for walking the beat around Carolina Ave and 19th St, in the Cut-Off, wouldn't it, David?

That it would, Gil. And it would've been nice to have had on one's hip during the heyday ('73-'79),... on Green Top Hill at the Walker County Line.

A different time n' place..
David