My model 27

[jonwanner]

High all. Been a lurker here on the forum for about two years, only my second post. I am looking for some advise and maybe some more info on my model 27-2. This was my first handgun purchase about two years ago. Was looking for a smith 357 for a sidearm in the woods, improving my handgun shooting skills, and just a general utility revolver. As a young man starting a family, I really can't afford to buy very many guns and needed one gun to fit many roles. Was at the LGS and fell in love with this fine revolver after it caught my wife's eye. Bought it for $600 having never even hearing of a model 27 before. During the ten day waiting period (thanks california) researched my purchase and found this forum. Love this gun and my wife and I have both become proficient shooting it. I am starting to worry though that perhaps this gun may be worth more than I had thought and maybe should be handled with more care. Sorry for the long post. Here are some pics. Thanks for all the info I have found already and look forward to your advise.











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[blackdeuce]

From what I can see, it is definitely worth more than $600. If you want something cheaper, I have a nice 28-2 I'll trade you (plus cash, of course).

You could shoot it, but I would definitely take care of it. It's a keeper.

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on pulling the trigger on that beauty.

 

[Art Doc]

You wanted a gun to carry and shoot. You bought the Cadillac of the S&W line. IMO the 27 is one of the finest revolvers ever made. The 5" is a favorite with many 27 lovers. I say use it as it was intended to be used. S&W isn't in the art business, it's in the gun business. It will show wear over time but to many of us that's just "character." Fifty years from now your son will love the look of the old, worn revolver his dad carried. Such guns, showing the hands of the owners, are appreciated far more than pristine safe queens.

That's what I think, anyway.

 

[Doug M.]

^There ya go.^
Shoot it, enjoy it, maintain it well, and drive on. BTW, for $600 in California, I think you nearly stole it.
The only thing you can do to make it better is move to a free state.

 

[Nightowl]

There were a lot of 27s made and they were made to shoot. Take care of it and you will have a life time of enjoyment.

 

[jonwanner]

Thanks for the replies all. Blackdeuce, appreciate the offer but even if I could bring myself to sell it my wife would flip. I will continue to enjoy the revolver as I have. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't making a mistake putting a little more wear on it. Cleaning it today I took the stocks off for the first time and confirmed that the numbers match. Also found these numbers engraved into the frame. Appear to be a ssn. Any significance to this or the others that are stamped?

.

Any other info about this gun you all could share and maybe approximate value? I do know its a 5" and I believe that the s/n 166 means it was made around 1963? One thing I can say is that these smiths are contagious and as I learn more I find more I would like to have, with a preference towards the blued guns from this era, but they seem hard to come by locally. I was able to acquire a m636 last year and now there is a 3" 686 plus at the store that caught my eye. If I could buy that maybe it would take more of the holster duty in the woods.


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[jonwanner]

Also, any way to get rid of the greasy streaky look to the finish? I use a silicone cloth to wipe it down about every time I handle it but it seems to always leave this behind. Read something about waxing but not sure what type of wax one would use.


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[nedlate]

Any other info about this gun you all could share and maybe approximate value? I do know its a 5" and I believe that the s/n 166 means it was made around 1963?

It looks like the number on the grips is 166123. Does it have a N as part of the serial number? N166123 would put it at 1973. The serial number will be in the crane cut out with the cylinder open and on the bottom of the grip frame. Value anywhere from $650 to $850.
Ed

 

[Art Doc]

The SSN on the grip frame means a previous owner was an idiot and the serial number wasn't good enough for him.

Because of the awful gun laws in CA used guns mostly cannot be imported or sold by dealers. This jacks the prices on the few available guns. In a free state $600 would be good on a nice 5" 27-2. In CA that was a fantastic buy.

I prefer my guns to be dry and free of oil or other chemical liquids. I wipe them down with a dry cloth after cleaning.

 

[jonwanner]

Yes, the first four s/n is N166 which I had researched before to be 1973, tthanks for confirming. At least the engraving is behind the stocks. Googled the ssn and found out that the man was mentioned in the 92 nd congressional record in 1972 as a Air Force officer being promoted. Thought that was cool. He had passed about ten years before I acquired the gun and I would imagine some family member sold it off rather than appreciating it Anyways thanks for the help guys.


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[DR505]

The wax you are seeing discussed much in this forum is Renaissance Wax (Ren-Wax for short). Do a search and you'll get much info. I use it on some of my revolvers if I am taking a photo and want it gussied up, or if I plan on having it reside in the safe for an extended period of time.