Looking at a 27-2... anything to watch out for regarding fakery, refinishing, etc?

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SWOH

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I'm probably going to go look at one on the other side of the state, a 5" model, pinned and recessed. One thing I notice is the non-diamond target grips w/ medallions are heavily varnished. I just picked up a mid-60s model 28-2 with diamond grips that are much less shiny, albeit more used. The polish and finish of the bluing looks good in the pictures, but cameras can hide things depending on lighting unless one gets a couple dozen pics from a variety of angles. Guessing it had to have been made after 68 - what was the last production date for the 5"?
 
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P&R 5" Model 27-2s are some of the most coveted by S&W Forum members. Both the 3-1/2" and 5" barrels were discontinued in 1979 (per SCSW 5th Ed.). I believe that the 5" 27-2 that you're planning to look at probably shipped wearing Magna stocks, although target stocks could have been a special order (target stocks became standard in 1980). If you're basing the manufacture date of 1968 on just the stocks, it may not be correct. That revolver could have been manufactured as early as 1961 when the -2 was introduced...only the s/n can tell you for sure. Good luck!
 
SWOH said:
Guessing it had to have been made after 68 - what was the last production date for the 5"?
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The letter I received yesterday for my only 5" 27-2 arrived yesterday...Read through both sides for Don's answer to your question...The Goncalo Alves target stocks were apparently added by a previous caretaker, but they'll stay on it for my tenure as curator...:unsure: ...Ben

139-1 Redacted.jpg
139-2.jpg
139-2289.JPG
 
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More likely than not the five inch is a N pre-fix, one of the latter ones. Correct era target stocks would not have the diamond and would have a lacquer finish, originals can even have a plastic finish look but those could easily have finish added or have been refinished. If it is a S pre-fix gun, many/most would consider it more desirable even with incorrect era stocks. Research both unless you have info telling you which it is.
 
What would be a fair price for this gun, assuming 98%+, maybe better. I'm in OH and so is the gun, albeit at the other side of the state. If certain variations of production date or serial number affect it, please include that in the guesstimate. Asking is over $2500.
 
SWOH said:
What would be a fair price for this gun, assuming 98%+, maybe better. I'm in OH and so is the gun, albeit at the other side of the state. If certain variations of production date or serial number affect it, please include that in the guesstimate. Asking is over $2500.
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That seems pretty high to me. Does it come with the original box papers, tools, etc? I paid a lot less for mine, but I think I got an exceptional deal.
 
SWOH said:
He says he has the box and MIGHT have papers.
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You could probably pick up tools and papers for $125 to $150 on eBay.

The most that I've paid for a nice 27-2 recently was $1600 for a blued 4 inch gun with presentation case, tools, and papers. I paid less for a 5 inch blued gun and a 5 inch nickel gun. All with boxes, tools, and papers.

Assuming that I got awesome deals, I still don't think your gun should go for more than $2k. Just my two cents.
 
$2500 too high from what I've been seeing.
$1750 tops…, maybe stretch to 2k ANIB with everything depending on how badly you want it.
Or wait for a really nice one with all the stuff and maybe a couple of very light handing marks for $1500
Although I'm still a relative newbie, I've been on Gunsinternational, Gunbroker and this classifieds forum looking at prices for the last 18 months thrice daily.
Gunsinternational usually has prices that, from what I can tell are about 25% or more above market.
I've bought a few things from folks I've seen selling there when the prices were sensible.
 
Model29-26.5 said:
$2500 too high from what I've been seeing.
$1750 tops…, maybe stretch to 2k ANIB with everything depending on how badly you want it.
Or wait for a really nice one with all the stuff and maybe a couple of very light handing marks for $1500
Although I'm still a relative newbie, I've been on Gunsinternational, Gunbroker and this classifieds forum looking at prices for the last 18 months thrice daily.
Gunsinternational usually has prices that, from what I can tell are about 25% or more above market.
I've bought a few things from folks I've seen selling there when the prices were sensible.
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I would agree with that. I paid well below $1500 for a cherry 5 inch S prefix 27-2 with original box, papers and tools.
 
Price seems high to me .
The 5" nickel in picture is unfired and everything came with it ,a $1000 less.
It was 6 years ago.
$1400-$1800 depending on condition
And what comes with it would be my guess.
 
If it's a late 4" N prefix serial number, they don't command near the price that an S or early N prefix would bring, especially if it has the more common nickel finish. Before Smith replaced the 5" and 3.5" with the 4" in the late 70s, a 4" was only available through custom orders. This made them very rare, much more desirable and worth more $$$$.

If I wanted a 4" MG with tapered barrel in 357 mag, I'd carry my 28. 😀
 
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I had a 27-2 5" RR WO 3T'S new and unfired and I also had a 50th anniversary, a gift from my wife. If you noticed the past tense of had. After having searched for the 27-2 for years I found one NIB and was over joyed to have the pair. .A number of years later, I realized I was never going to shoot them. I had my 6" and a 4" both 27-2 3T that were in regular use at range and hunting. Then came the day I decided to downsize and rationalize my collection. Well needless to say, all but the 4" went down the road. Not one of my brightest moves. If I ever find a nice used/fired 5", for a sane price, again, I am going to buy it and sell my 4" and enjoy the hell outta shooting it. That 5" is, only one of two guns I regret selling. The other being a Colt Diamondback 22lr 2 !/2", my first handgun purchase, that my wife asked me to sell, when we had kids. (She thought it looked to much like a cap gun.) Oh well hindsight is 20/20 I was lucky to have at least owned them.
 
I apologize for my rude statement: but as I said in other threads, I am shocked about the prices asked in US for guns produced in the same Nation! To me, hard pass for 2,5k. Recently I bought a NIB, unfired 5" 27-2 , standard setup - magnas, narrow trigger and hammer - with box and papers (ok, no tools anyway) for 750€ . Others similar revolvers were available at the same price, or few euros more.
My question is ….are they so rarest in USA than overseas?
 
diecidecimi said:
I apologize for my rude statement: but as I said in other threads, I am shocked about the prices asked in US for guns produced in the same Nation! To me, hard pass for 2,5k. Recently I bought a NIB, unfired 5" 27-2 , standard setup - magnas, narrow trigger and hammer - with box and papers (ok, no tools anyway) for 750€ . Others similar revolvers were available at the same price, or few euros more.
My question is ….are they so rarest in USA than overseas?
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I don't think it's a rarity issue as there's plenty of examples for sale at any one time. It's more a supply and demand thing. There's a large number of collectors relative to the amount of available guns which drives up the prices for good examples and unfortunately that also has an effect of driving up the asking price on shooter grade guns.
 
diecidecimi said:
I apologize for my rude statement: but as I said in other threads, I am shocked about the prices asked in US for guns produced in the same Nation! To me, hard pass for 2,5k. Recently I bought a NIB, unfired 5" 27-2 , standard setup - magnas, narrow trigger and hammer - with box and papers (ok, no tools anyway) for 750€ . Others similar revolvers were available at the same price, or few euros more.
My question is ….are they so rarest in USA than overseas?
Click to expand...

Local products are often held in higher esteem than foreign made guns, with exceptions. Some of this could be due to familiarity at least as much as patriotism. I wager an informed buyer might pay more for an MR-73 (at least a vintage one as opposed to current production) over a model 27, but many have never even heard about them. US military rifles bring good prices and they made millions of them.
 
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