Model 27 info

[nbwrij]

Hello,
I am new to this community. I have some questions about identifying a model 27.

When you measure the barrel length, do you start at the very end of the barrel next to the cylinder or from where the barrel exits the frame?

I am trying to find out more information on my Dad's model 27. The serial number is S188613.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
John

 

[dacoontz]

John,
You want to measure from the face of the cylinder to the business end of the barrel. Based on the serial number it is likely a model marked 27. Is "27" stamped on the frame under the crane when the cylinder is opened? We'd love to see some pics.

Also, how many screws on the right side of the frame. There's one under the grips too. Yours may have a screw in the front face of the trigger guard also. How many is that?

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. Barrels are measured from the face of the cylinder to the muzzle; that includes the threaded portion that goes through the frame.

With that serial number, your father's gun was probably shipped in 1959 or 1960. You will hear S&W revolvers divided into five-screw, four-screw and three-screw models. Your gun is a four-screw model. You can get the details of this distinction from the FAQs on this forum.

Feel free to post pictures. We love pictures here.

Added: Oops, Daniel got the jump on me. But we're thinking pretty much the same thoughts about the gun you described.

 

[dacoontz]

Added: Oops, Daniel got the jump on me. But we're thinking pretty much the same thoughts about the gun you described.

Yes, but your reponses are always way more organized (user friendly) and tend to make a lot more sense then mine.

 

[nbwrij]

More info

Thanks for the information.
It does have "Mod 27" stamped under the serial number. It is a four screw model with a 6-1/2 inch barrel.
It is in pretty good shape and I don't think it has been shot very much. I know my Dad did belong to a handgun league a long time ago (back in the 70's), but I am willing to bet it has not been shot in about 20 years.
I will post some pictures in the future. The front post is painted red and the rear sight does not have a white outline like some of the guns I have seen.

 

[dacoontz]

Very cool. Congrats on a great S&W. Your father obviously had great taste in guns. Looking forward to the pics.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

John,
Smith and Wesson did not record manufacture or birth dates. Their records are kept based upon the date that the gun shipped from the factor. S188440 shipped January 1960. Hope that helps.

 

[Ga Johnny]

186800 is also a 6.5in M27 that shipped in Feb. 1960, so you can see they didn't ship in numeric sequence, the only way to know for certain is to get a factory letter.

 

[Art Doc]

S&Ws are known to have shipped years out of sequence. I have one with a serial suggesting a 1956 date of manufacture that didn't ship until 1960. Sometimes gun sat in inventory a while, particularly the slower selling models.

The 6.5" barrel length would be uncommon. Does it have a ramp front sight or the squared Patridge type? Usually the 6" guns have the Patridge and the 6.5" versions carry the ramp.

 

[nbwrij]

Model 27

It does have the ramp type front sight, just like in the picture that GA Johnny posted above. The face of the post has been painted red.

 

[Art Doc]

Um... Ga Johnny's gun has the Patridge sight, not the ramp.