Nickel 27-2 transition gun

[blackdeuce]

I've had this a while. I had forgotten that it was nickel. Really nice condition.

The special order code means December 2nd of 1983, I believe. I don't really understand the purpose of the special order code? The other features are noted on the box.

This one has recessed cylinder but unpinned barrel. It has a N and 2 stamped on the cylinder. It was made around the time that the 27-3 was coming out. I guess S&W just kept using up parts until they were all gone?

 

[cgt4570]

My first thought was that the plated Patridge front sight might be special order, in place of the blue Patridge or Baughman? I've seen a few, but don't think it was standard?

Nope. A quick search shows it's the production date. Julian calendar. 3 for 83, then the 336th day of the year. Friday Dec. 2nd.

 

[stansdds]

Very nice! S&W did not waste parts, so when there was an engineering change, it was standard practice to use existing, pre-change parts until the supply of the older parts was exhausted.

 

[blackdeuce]

Are there any records of how many transition guns were made?

 

[38 Specialist]

That's a grail gun for me. I'm a sucker for N frames, 357 magnum, and factory nickel finish, and old wooden stocks.

 

[blackdeuce]

What is the purpose of the special order number if it's really just a date code?

 

[Alk8944]

What is the purpose of the special order number if it's really just a date code?

Usually the numbers in the Spec Ord field are the Julian date the revolver was packaged. There are times where the gun was, in fact, produced as a special order, and in those cases the number really would be the number assigned to that order. Almost always if the last three digits are between 001 and 365 (366 leap years), the date is simply a Julian date.

 

[Engine49guy]

S&W didnt waste good parts,
A new revision usually denotes a part changed.
Deleting the pin doesn't change a part so the 27-2 revision continued until they ran out of recessed cylinders.
From my notes have one pretty close to yours:
Model 27-2 , 4" Barrel, Nickel,
no set pin, recessed cylinder,
 Serial  N-941017,  Shipped Feb,1984 

 

[blackdeuce]

S&W didnt waste good parts,
A new revision usually denotes a part changed.
Deleting the pin doesn't change a part so the 27-2 revision continued until they ran out of recessed cylinders.
From my notes have one pretty close to yours:
Model 27-2 , 4" Barrel, Nickel,
no set pin, recessed cylinder,
 Serial  N-941017,  Shipped Feb,1984 

Interesting. Were there blued transition guns, or were they sitting on some nickel cylinders that they had to use up? Personally, I find these transition guns interesting because they kinda tell a story.

 

[CWH44300]

Interesting. Were there blued transition guns, or were they sitting on some nickel cylinders that they had to use up? Personally, I find these transition guns interesting because they kinda tell a story.

While I don't have firsthand knowledge of the 27's.
There were blued and stainless transition guns.
I really like them too but don't think hardcore collectors value them has much as a gun that is "true" to the dash number.
I like the 629's and know there's more than a few transitional no dash and -1's around
Here's an old photo of my model 629 that is marked
MOD6291, it's pinned but non recessed

 

[stansdds]

Are there any records of how many transition guns were made?

None that I know of, S&W just used the older parts until they were gone.

 

[RT44nut]

Interesting. Were there blued transition guns, or were they sitting on some nickel cylinders that they had to use up? Personally, I find these transition guns interesting because they kinda tell a story.

Here's a blue 27-2, 4" with recessed cylinder and barrel not pinned. N885786

 

[Engine49guy]

As an interesting side note I once removed a barrel from an early Model 19-5 and the barrel was cut for the set pin.
My bet is if you removed the barrels on these non pinned recessed 27-2's the barrels would also be cut for the pin.

 

[RT44nut]

As an interesting side note I once removed a barrel from an early Model 19-5 and the barrel was cut for the set pin.
My bet is if you removed the barrels on these non pinned recessed 27-2's the barrels would also be cut for the pin.

I researched this a while back and found this under a Google search. You are probably correct until they used up the flat top barrels.

Reason for the Change:

The pinned barrel system, while initially used for precision and fit, created problems in the assembly process. Assemblers would sometimes damage frames while trying to install the pins, leading to scrapped frames or costly repairs.

Transition:

To address these issues, the Revolver Engineering team decided to eliminate the pins and recessed chambers.


Implementation:

They continued to manufacture barrels with the flat-top design for a couple of years to use up existing inventory, while simultaneously stopping the production of pins and frames with pin holes.
Result:
This transition allowed S&W to move towards a more efficient and reliable manufacturing process, ultimately leading to the guns being better without the pins.

 

[Engine49guy]

I'm not sure what they mean by "Flat top" barrels.
The only SW target sight revolvers that I'm aware of with "round top" or no raised rib were the pre war M&P target and N frame target revolvers except the Reg Mag etc.

The only post war target sight revolvers sans raised rib that come to mind are the 17-8 and other Heritage series revolvers made by the PC to look like their pre war counterparts.

 

[blackdeuce]

As an interesting side note I once removed a barrel from an early Model 19-5 and the barrel was cut for the set pin.
My bet is if you removed the barrels on these non pinned recessed 27-2's the barrels would also be cut for the pin.

Garrett and I were wondering about that. I suspected that might be the case.

 

[RT44nut]

I'm not sure what they mean by "Flat top" barrels.
The only SW target sight revolvers that I'm aware of with "round top" or no raised rib were the pre war M&P target and N frame target revolvers except the Reg Mag etc.

The only post war target sight revolvers sans raised rib that come to mind are the 17-8 and other Heritage series revolvers made by the PC to look like their pre war counterparts.

The place for the pin on pinned barrels, had a flat on the threads for assembly as shown in this borrowed picture. My understanding was the frame was already drilled and the barrel was fitted and the pin was driven through where a flat or relief was precut in the threads.

 

[Engine49guy]

Kinda confusing ,
Might be easier to say the barrel pin cut or slot or set pin channel cross cut.
All of them were on the top .