Model 27-2 question

[dougt06]

Tonight i looked at a model 27-2 .357 and i'm 99% sure it was stainless. I own enough guns to know the difference between stainless and nickel so thats out of the question. It is just marked 27-2 not 627, and i can't find any info anywhere about a stainless model 27. Can anyone help find out more about this weapon?

Thanks

 

[ditrina]

I'm gonna guess electroless nickel..

 

[gunnut44]

It could be a mismarked 627, or as ditrina said some sort of aftermarket finish such as a beadblast or electroless finish.

 

[Dump1567]

I'm gonna guess electroless nickel..

+1

I had a 19 I bought in E.N.

 

[dougt06]

Was electroless nickel ever a factory finish from s&w, or would it have to be a refinish? I have seen colts in electroless nickel and it didn't look like that at all. The finish was much smoother and looks just like my 66's and 686's.

 

[gunnut44]

Model 27's were only available in blue & nickel.

 

[stantheman86]

I saw a 38/44 HD refinished in some finish called ArmaLoy, I guess it was popular in the 50's and 60's, it's basically a high grade chrome in a semi-matte finish. I would have sworn that gun was stainless if I didn't know better.......

 

[lagavulin62]

that was going to be my guess, chrome. but I am not assuming the OP doesn't know the difference. I see chrome guns I think might be nickel.

 

[Art Doc]

#83
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Do I have a one-of-a-kind handgun in stainless steel or “satin” nickel?

83. If you have a pistol that is marked as a model that was never offered in stainless yet appears to be stainless it is seriously UNLIKELY you happen to have the one and only example produced. What has usually happened is that factory stamped the wrong model number on the frame (like S&W stamping M19 on what should be an M66 frame); or the gun has been refinished in something that looks like stainless (like various hard chromes); the gun is actually nickel plated but looks dull rather than shiny; or perhaps the gun is totally devoid of finish and what you are actually seeing is bare metal which can appear as stainless at times.

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The 27-2 was only produced in bright blue and bright nickel. Not stainless steel or any matte nickel.

 

[blaiwayw]

All my nickel plated Smith revolvers in M27, had a N stamped on the frame and the ejector side of the cylinder.

 

[Dave T]

Ditto what SP said! Bet it's some kind of hard chrome.

Dave

 

[dougt06]

Thank you to all who have replied, you have been a lot of help. I would have to agree that it has likely been refinished in a hard chrome. I was told by the owner that it had never been refinished, but as he did not purchase it new, he must be mistaken.

Thanks

 

[Brian41]

I have a Model 19 that is stamped N so would have left the factory in nickle. I have never been able to get it to shine as other nickle guns and instead has a dull finish.
I too expect it has had another finish applied since and wonder if there's anyway to tell just what. I bought it right and it'll never have collector value as someone has ground off a number or something from the crane.
It's a 2 1/2 inch and suspect maybe it had a PD department number on it.

 

[Art Doc]

Are the hammer and trigger silver colored? These parts are not plated by S&W but often are in refinishing.

As noted the nickel guns have an N stamped on the grip frame.

It may be nickel that has lost its shine. They can have the dull, lifeless look of stainless.

As a lover of all things 27 it breaks my heart to see a 27 refinished in some after-market chrome or such.

 

[laytonj1]

This is pretty simple, a 27-2 would have a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. The first stainless steel N frame in 357 was the 627 in 1989, about 7 years after the P&R was stopped. It also came with a full lug barrel.
That and the serial number would be plenty of evidence.

Jim

 

[Art Doc]

Jim, many 27-2s that were made 1979-1981 lacked pinned barrels and or recessed chambers.

 

[sw282]

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