First off - Happy Labor Day weekend!!! 10+ years ago on this forum I received a PM asking me what I thought an engraved 27-2 was worth. It was strikingly beautiful and factory engraved, but it was finished in a gray finish that was not factory applied. I cannot remember what I told him it was worth, but I recall telling him that it was a beautiful gun and that he should keep it. I really liked it and thought about it often.
Fast forward to a few years ago when Michael Kennelly's wonderful book Smith & Wesson Engraving was released I find this same gun on page 348 with a full photo spread and a description that the gun was contract engraved by Denise Thirion for the factory and the finish it now sports is "Antique Renaissance" a finish common on Brownings, but never seen by me on a Smith & Wesson. I once again remembered how much I really, really liked this .357 Magnum and I thought about it often.
Fast forward to a few months ago, when browsing one of my favorite for sale websites, I smiled as I saw it for sale. After a few phone calls and emails to the seller (along with a check), it arrived here in AZ. The 27-2 may have left the Factory on January 17, 1974 as a blued gun, but I am very grateful to the previous owner who had the vision to have the Antique Renaissance finish applied to this gun. It is spectacular and really shows off the flawless engraving!! In person I really, really, really like it and think about it often.
Here are a few photos for your enjoyment:
As always, I very much appreciate your thoughts and comments and as always, I would love for you to add photos of your engraved S&Ws to this (or any other) thread.
Thanks for letting me share,
Fast forward to a few years ago when Michael Kennelly's wonderful book Smith & Wesson Engraving was released I find this same gun on page 348 with a full photo spread and a description that the gun was contract engraved by Denise Thirion for the factory and the finish it now sports is "Antique Renaissance" a finish common on Brownings, but never seen by me on a Smith & Wesson. I once again remembered how much I really, really liked this .357 Magnum and I thought about it often.
Fast forward to a few months ago, when browsing one of my favorite for sale websites, I smiled as I saw it for sale. After a few phone calls and emails to the seller (along with a check), it arrived here in AZ. The 27-2 may have left the Factory on January 17, 1974 as a blued gun, but I am very grateful to the previous owner who had the vision to have the Antique Renaissance finish applied to this gun. It is spectacular and really shows off the flawless engraving!!
In person I really, really, really like it and think about it often.Here are a few photos for your enjoyment:
As always, I very much appreciate your thoughts and comments and as always, I would love for you to add photos of your engraved S&Ws to this (or any other) thread.
Thanks for letting me share,
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