Help with value?

[gboling]

I have a Pre-Model 27 with a 5” barrel, ser. # S164xxx that I am considering selling and would like to determine its value. I bought it from a local dealer 4 years ago and was told that it has never been fired. Other than a turn line there is no wear. The stocks are numbered to the gun and I have the original box but the box is damaged. In the picture of the gun on the box, it appears that there is a backwards “C” across the front of the cylinder. That “C” is a tear that was present when I bought the gun. The original paper is in the box but there are no tools. The gun has a ramp front sight with a red insert.

I have the S&W letter that reports the gun was shipped to the Cadet Store, West Point, NY on May 28, 1956. It also reports that this model was available with any sight option that Smith & Wesson offered. Therefore the sights are not listed on the invoice.

As this gun is over 50 years old it is exempt from California’s “unsafe” gun law.

I contacted another local dealer who suggested its value was about $1700.00. Of course, he could only offer a percentage of that. Photos are attached but I do not have the capability to get better detail.

Problem, I cannot get the photos to load. Each photo file is too big to be accepted here and I do not know how to shrink them.

Thanks for your time and ideas.

 

[stumper]

I'd say that's near the right value and if you were wanting to sell it some fraction of the $1700 is about what it would sell for. I would think more like $1200-$1500 for a real selling price.

 

[feralmerril]

I dont know about california law now but I bought one about identical to yours many years ago and in 1973 I bought a new 5" 27-3 in california. As you know its the exact same gun. Was legal to buy in 1973!

 

[BillyMagg]

I have a Pre-Model 27 with a 5” barrel, ser. # S164xxx that I am considering selling and would like to determine its value. I bought it from a local dealer 4 years ago and was told that it has never been fired. Other than a turn line there is no wear. The stocks are numbered to the gun and I have the original box but the box is damaged. In the picture of the gun on the box, it appears that there is a backwards “C” across the front of the cylinder. That “C” is a tear that was present when I bought the gun. The original paper is in the box but there are no tools. The gun has a ramp front sight with a red insert.

I have the S&W letter that reports the gun was shipped to the Cadet Store, West Point, NY on May 28, 1956. It also reports that this model was available with any sight option that Smith & Wesson offered. Therefore the sights are not listed on the invoice.

As this gun is over 50 years old it is exempt from California’s “unsafe” gun law.

I contacted another local dealer who suggested its value was about $1700.00. Of course, he could only offer a percentage of that. Photos are attached but I do not have the capability to get better detail.

Problem, I cannot get the photos to load. Each photo file is too big to be accepted here and I do not know how to shrink them.

Thanks for your time and ideas.

I had a 357 mag of about 1951, I ended up giving a fellow 600 and my old Smith for a Merkel Model 8. I made an offer today of 1200 for a similar gun with a very nice almost new gold box, the gun is very tight and 98% plus. I would consider a similar offer for yours. It is in a large chain store in their "gun library", they are "checking", its rather sad when gun managers can't make their own decisions, as this particular gun has sat there for nearly two years. I recently sold an older Colt SAA NF, in 45 LC, with a 45 ACP cylinder in order to purchase this gun, but if you decide to sell yours please shoot me a pm. Thanks Billy Magg

 

[Retired W4]

Problem, I cannot get the photos to load. Each photo file is too big to be accepted here and I do not know how to shrink them.

Thanks for your time and ideas.

Try max 3MP on your camera. The site seems to like that as a maximun (my own experiance only).

I would love to see this gun, as pre-27's are THE bomb, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Retired W4]

My .357 Magnum, SN: S 101534, 6" is my all time favorite.

JR collector.

 

[old bear]

You may want to check at several of the auction sites, and "guns International" to get an idea of what recent sales have brought. I also assume that in California your M-27 may being a Premium price.