My New Pre-27

[EvenStephen]

I stopped by the LGS and, as usual, began by checking out the used revolvers. I saw a very nice looking N frame in the showcase marked "Model 27 Mint". I had just bought a nice 27-6 a few months ago and was hoping it was something I didn't already have. Then I noticed that the barrel was pinned which was different enough for me so I asked the clerk for a closer inspection. I looked inside the crane expecting it to be a 27-2 and was surprised to see S117615. While somehow hiding my excitement I negotiated the price from $750 to $675 but I wasn't leaving without it. After I calmed down at home, I started to think that these grips are probably from a newer model. Info please? Smith told me it was built in 1954.

 

[Art Doc]

1. You have a very nice 5" "357 Magnum" from late 1954 - early 1955.

2. No, the stocks are not correct being from 1968-1982.

 

[DCWilson]

Is that a five-inch barrel? Excellent catch. Congratulations.

You are right about the stocks. They are probably from a '70s era N-frame. Your gun would have shipped with diamond magnas unless ordered specially with target stocks. The diamond around the screw escutcheon disappeared in 1968.

 

[EvenStephen]

Thanks guys. Yes, it's got a 5" barrel. From what I just read on the forum, the original grips won't be cheap, if I can find them.

 

[Tupperware]

Beautiful gun. The pics aren't great but it looks unfired or nearly so. Any possibility it's been reblued?

 

[EvenStephen]

Hmmm...not sure if I'd recognize a reblued gun. How can I tell? There are a few flaws I'll try to show. On the right side of the front sight base, there's a tiny mark you can see here. Also, a flaw on the frame, about 10 o'clock from the S&W logo that you can see in the same picture. In the other picture, you can see a tiny mark just above the cylinder release button. It's right on the edge. The checkering looks perfect. Sorry my pictures aren't any better.

 

[OIF2]

Put a set of these on. It'll look great and be comfortable to shoot, too. Herrett's Ropers on a 27-2.
Bob
PS-Nice pistola!

 

[Marksman]

Congrats on your new find, the 5" Pre-27 is one of the finest revolvers S&W ever made. I have two, one from the same time period as yours that remains original and the other has been converted to .44 Special by Hamilton Bowen. Both guns wear Keith Brown "Coke bottle style" grips. Rather than searching for original diamond target grips, I would suggest a set of KB grips. KB grips are custom made to fit your hand, look great and are a nice addition to your classic S&W.

 

[old bear]

A giveaway price and a 5" to boot, take care of it and enjoy it.

 

[EvenStephen]

Thanks guys. The only person who really knew anything about guns at the LGS was fired a month or two ago and no one realized what this was. I've been drooling over the Keith Brown stocks for a while now. I was going to buy a set for my 27-6 which has Smith rubber grips on it. The KB's are really pretty.

 

[Tupperware]

Hmmm...not sure if I'd recognize a reblued gun. How can I tell? There are a few flaws I'll try to show. On the right side of the front sight base, there's a tiny mark you can see here. Also, a flaw on the frame, about 10 o'clock from the S&W logo that you can see in the same picture. In the other picture, you can see a tiny mark just above the cylinder release button. It's right on the edge. The checkering looks perfect. Sorry my pictures aren't any better.

Impossible to say without a hands-on look. Send it to me and I'll give my opinion within 24 to 36 months
The sunlight pic shows what I thought was missing from the first set. The color looks as I would expect a model 27 of that generation to look. In the first set it appeared a bit 'flat'. I can also see a drag line on the cylinder and just a hint of silver color indicating the ejector star retains the original color. A close examination of the roll stamped areas, screw holes and other areas that should have a sharp edge would probably tell for sure. If the finish is original, it has not been shot much, that's for sure.
Pictures of other areas of the gun could help. What does the area under the topstrap look like? The recoil shield? The front of the cylinder? Lots more, but why bother? Shoot it and enjoy it. The next pic I'd like to see is what sort of groups it's capable of shooting!

 

[EvenStephen]

I used the flat looking picture because it was easier to see detail. The pix that really show off the finish were too shiny. I'm better with guns than cameras . Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[murphydog]

Hmmm...not sure if I'd recognize a reblued gun. How can I tell? There are a few flaws I'll try to show. On the right side of the front sight base, there's a tiny mark you can see here. Also, a flaw on the frame, about 10 o'clock from the S&W logo that you can see in the same picture. In the other picture, you can see a tiny mark just above the cylinder release button. It's right on the edge. The checkering looks perfect. Sorry my pictures aren't any better.

Rounded metal edges, blurry or absent stampings, deep scratches or pitting under the blue, non-standard color, or blue hammer/trigger - fortunately, yours has none of the above . Nice find!

The proper stocks are difficult but not impossible to find, perhaps post a Wanted To Buy ad in the Forum classifieds.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
Excellent find and the price you paid is about Half of the going rate for one of that vintage in today's market in my area. I would suggest you do not educate the people of that gun shop that you bought that from. I would shop there often and see what else they come up with that they have no clue about. I came across the set of grips shown below at a local gun show in my area. They were on a Model 27-2 Blued revolver with an 8-3/8" Barrel. The seller had no Earthly clue of what he had when I asked him if I could see the gun. He asked if I needed the gun, and I said back to him, No, But I sure could use those grips on it. As he was handing it to me he said "he did not Like Them Fancy Herritt's it was wearing, and felt they Hindered the sale of it". I Ignored what he had said and while looking at the grips asked him what he felt would look better on this gun ? He said if it had a set of Original period correct, factory Target grips on it, he felt it would sell faster. I asked him if I was able to provide a set of period correct grips for that gun, would be inclined to swap with me ? He said he sure would, so I went out to my Truck outside of the show and returned with a nice set of factory Target grips for his Gun. He lit up, when I showed them to him and said "Now, That's what I am Talking about" I asked if he would like me to place them so he could see what it looked like, and he liked that idea, so I placed mine and sat his on the table. He asked if I wanted to swap and I said Sure.. he then asked if I wanted any Boot with this swap, and I did not have the Heart to take any more advantage of his Ignorance, so I said "If your Happy with the swap of just the grips, Then I am happy as well" He shook my hand and I dropped the grips shown below in my Pocket and walked away Very happy.. They now reside on my Regsitered Magnum shown below as they are from that time frame. I have found sometimes less is better and if a Person does not know what they have, it is better in most cases to leave it that way...

 

[EvenStephen]

Thanks Hammerdown. I think I got a great deal also. Your gun is beautiful and the grips add to it. Very nice indeed.

 

[Hammerdown]

Thanks Hammerdown. I think I got a great deal also. Your gun is beautiful and the grips add to it. Very nice indeed.

Hello EvenStephen
I Certainly appreciate your kind words. I have found that being paitent usually pays off. This is the second set of Original Roper grips I have found within a 50 mile radius of my home in less than 4 years time. The second set I have is for the K-Sq. frame revolver so now I have one in each frame. Rare grips or guns are out there to be had or discovered at Bargain prices, sometimes it just takes time for them to surface. Yours is a Fine example, that I would be proud to own Congratulations on a super buy and a super gun...