Nickel M27-2 date please
- Thread starter bigi
- Start date
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JCS&W
US Veteran
Standard Catalog of S&W shows that:
serial numbers N900000 through N97xxxx (highest known N9 range) were shipped between 1982 and 1986.
Is yours pinned and recessed?
serial numbers N900000 through N97xxxx (highest known N9 range) were shipped between 1982 and 1986.
Is yours pinned and recessed?
It must be one of the last 27-2s. Is the barrel pinned and the charge holes in the cylinder counterbored (just curious like JCS&W)?
Bill
Bill
JCS&W
US Veteran
Thanks for the info bigi. I have never seen a M27-2 with that high a serial number. You should post a pic or two.
Your revolver is configured as a 27-3, but was made using a frame that was stamped 27-2. This is reported from time to time.
Bill
Bill
John Wyatt
Member
I have a 4inch blue 27-3 in the N927xxx range. Not pinned or recessed. The OP's 27-2 is not the first I have seen here on the forum with ser #'s higher than my -3.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A 27-3 would not be recessed. This is one of those 27-2.5 models (as I call them) that were -2s using the -3 barrels after the supply of the correct -2 barrels was exhausted. I think most often seen in the 4" version it can apparently occur with any length.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yes, it is stamped 27-2 but it has one major feature from the -3. If you post a topic for discussion participants often take it off in directions you didn't anticipate. Sorry if this bothers you but that's the way it goes, eh?
This gun appears to be something of an oddity. The serial is from 1983-84 which is beyond the range where the -2s are thought to dwell but that is how it is stamped. Maybe they were using up leftover parts and clearing out inventory? The date cannot be narrowed down anymore without popping $50 to get the letter with the exact shipping date.
This gun appears to be something of an oddity. The serial is from 1983-84 which is beyond the range where the -2s are thought to dwell but that is how it is stamped. Maybe they were using up leftover parts and clearing out inventory? The date cannot be narrowed down anymore without popping $50 to get the letter with the exact shipping date.
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Desert Rat 416
Member
Hi Bigi,
Really interesting piece. Since S&W didn't change the dash number when they stopped pinning barrels, but this happened at about the same time (1982) that they stopped recessing the cylinders ("eliminate cylinder counterbore") one simple doesn't expect to see a non-pinned barrel on a recessed cylinder Model 27-2. IMHO, since it's the recessed cylinder that differentiates the -2 from the -3, and you have a recessed cylinder, you have a -2 that's later than most anyone would expect to see one, and that's pretty cool. Congrats!
Really interesting piece. Since S&W didn't change the dash number when they stopped pinning barrels, but this happened at about the same time (1982) that they stopped recessing the cylinders ("eliminate cylinder counterbore") one simple doesn't expect to see a non-pinned barrel on a recessed cylinder Model 27-2. IMHO, since it's the recessed cylinder that differentiates the -2 from the -3, and you have a recessed cylinder, you have a -2 that's later than most anyone would expect to see one, and that's pretty cool. Congrats!
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Below is the pinned barrel. See the small pin? All S&W revolvers had this until 1982.
Below is the recessed chambers. See the counter-boring of the charge holes? The rim fire and the Magnum calibers had this until 1982.
A 27-2 should have both features. The 27-3 eliminated both features. There was a large number of guns made that were stamped 27-2 that lack one or the other of these features (the pinned barrel seems most common). Yours is such an example.
I, in my irreverent fashion, have dubbed these guns the Model 27-2.5 as they have moved beyond the standard -2 but have not quite achieved -3 configuration.
Below is the recessed chambers. See the counter-boring of the charge holes? The rim fire and the Magnum calibers had this until 1982.
A 27-2 should have both features. The 27-3 eliminated both features. There was a large number of guns made that were stamped 27-2 that lack one or the other of these features (the pinned barrel seems most common). Yours is such an example.
I, in my irreverent fashion, have dubbed these guns the Model 27-2.5 as they have moved beyond the standard -2 but have not quite achieved -3 configuration.
Thanks for your answer, I do have a 1976 M29-2 with 6.5" barrel so I am quite familiar with the pinned and ressesed items. I was just trying to see how one can say this barrel is -2 or -3 by just looking at it. I also thought the barrel is screwed and pinned or press fitted. How can one tell by looking?
Engine49guy
Member
The dash 3 revision barrels still had threads but instead used the new "Crush fit" method of setting the barrel instead of the older set pin method.
Apparently the factory began the new barrel crush fit method while they still had counterbored Model 27 cylinders leftover and continued using the counterbored cylinders until they were gone,
Many transitional 27-2's (like yours) have a recessed cylinder with the new crush fit (unpinned) barrel.
If you compare a side view of 27-2 to a 27-3 the -3 will have a wider gap between the cylinder and blast shield to allow room for the case head that now sticks up .
Those two revisions eliminated several manufacturing steps speeding up production and both are noticeable from a side view.
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WOW - enjoyed this set. I am a pistol type and since bigi asked about the possible date on his 27, thought I would follow up on answers. That is what I love about being a S&W collector - RULE # 1 - there are no rules with S&W. It is a ball finding the exceptions, factory screw-ups, and stuff that "S&W never made that". Good to know they exist in revolvers as well as autos.
bamabiker
Member
I don't think it has much effect on value unless you find someone who collects transition guns. We see enough of these that they are not something rare.
I believe most the guys around here would prefer to have one that is both pinned and recessed.
Keep it, shoot it and enjoy it.
