Pre-27 5-Screw picked up at the GS.

[Paddy O'Doolin]

I went to a local gun show last weekend in hopes of finding something worth buying... It was one of those shows that had a bunch of beef jerky, cookies, raffles, silver coins, turquoise, knives, red hat stuff, etc. etc. Oh, and there were firearms there too... So, my expectations were low.

Oddly enough, after scanning all the tables, I found two S&Ws that caught my attention. One was a Model 36 (no dash) and the other was this one. I bought both.

The best I could tell, this is a Pre-Model 27 5-screw that is really tight but fairly dirty. Serial number is S 100860.

Does anyone know what the stamped "W" on the frame means (behind the yoke)?

 

[RKmesa]

Congrats. I love the pre-27s and that looks like it will be a great shooter. I have several in my collection in that SN range that shipped in 1953. Since S&W did not ship in SN order, only an historical letter will give you an exact date.

The W is most likely a fitter's mark and doesn't mean anything in particular.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on a nice acquisition! Lots of .357 Magnum and Model 27 fans to be found here. My 6-1/2" (S140334) is a little later than yours (1955), and it's one of my favorite revolvers. Funny thing about gun shows, you can attend one with little anticipation of actually finding anything of interest, and then stumble upon a gem! A couple of years ago I was looking for a Model 57 to replace one that was stolen from me a long time ago, and decided to stop in at a local gun show. Like you said, there was the usual plethora of black rifles and plastic pistols and non-firearms related stuff. I made the rounds, squeezing between the crowds in the narrow aisles and looking over shoulders, and as I was nearing the last couple of tables I had pretty much decided that I was going home empty handed. Then, while looking at a hodge podge group of revolvers on the last table, one of them caught my eye. It was a mint condition nickel Model 57. The seller was a local pawn broker and I asked to look at the revolver. He said sure, "but you need to know that it's not a .44 Magnum, it's a .41 Magnum". I smiled, we dickered, and I walked out with that gem for a great price. I'm glad that you didn't give up and were able to obtain a couple of fine revolvers!

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

Congrats. I love the pre-27s and that looks like it will be a great shooter. I have several in my collection in that SN range that shipped in 1953. Since S&W did not ship in SN order, only an historical letter will give you an exact date.

The W is most likely a fitter's mark and doesn't mean anything in particular.

Thanks for sharing,

RKMesa, yes, I definitely plan to make this one of my shooters.

I am in the hunt for a collector grade RM though...with the box, certificate, letter, etc. etc. That would be something I would not likely find at the county-fair style gun show. I just sent in my application to the SWCA and intend to go to Concord NC this June, in hopes of making connections, learning, and seeing all the displays. I have never been (obviously as a non-member), but I am also guessing that I might could find a nice RM at the symposium as well.

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

Picture of the top strap. I love the knurling on the 27s.

 

[GypsmJim]

My Pre-27 has a S162xxx SN and a "6" where your "W' is. Also, the front sight is different. Mine has a non-pinned traditional Patridge blade.

 

[DARE]

Hey Paddy, welcome to SWCA. Looking forward to meeting you in Concord. I will display an RM as part of a display titled "1st Year Magnums." It won't be for sale, and has no accessories, but is in nice condition and has LEO provenance. Once owned by James C. (Doc) White. Doc was a Texas Ranger, an Austin Mounted Policeman, a mounted Customs Agent, a WWI Intelligence Officer, a Prohibition Agent (had a partner named Tom Threepersons for a while) and had a 23 year career as an FBI Special Agent. Was in on the arrest of Machine Gun Kelly and pistol whipped him at his Oklahoma City trial. Was at the Little Bohemia raid on Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Took a gun from Baby Face in that raid and used it to kill a gangster in Chicago and later on in the raid on Ma Barker and her son Fred in Florida. Good probability that some of Doc's bullets were in the bodies.
I'm sure there will be other interesting RMs on display or for sale.

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

Hey Paddy, welcome to SWCA. Looking forward to meeting you in Concord. I will display an RM as part of a display titled "1st Year Magnums." It won't be for sale, and has no accessories, but is in nice condition and has LEO provenance....I'm sure there will be other interesting RMs on display or for sale.

Thanks for the welcome, Dave. That's a great write-up about your RM. I hope to meet you and some of the rest of the members in Concord. What are the dates of the symposium? Will all that info be in the SWCA response to my application (hopefully I get in!)?

 

[DARE]

I think everyone that applies gets in. The dates are June 11 through June 15. You will get information on the Symposium. I think it is mailed to all members at the end of March.

 

[doubletapp357]

I believe my Pre Model 27 dates back to 1954. It’s a S1257xx serial number. For being a 70 year old pistol it looks ok to me! I do actually shoot if

 

[Hawg Rider]

Picture of the top strap. I love the knurling on the 27s.

Looks like the previous owner buggered up the rear sight elevation screw a little. That's an easy fix if you're a DIY guy...peen the metal back into the slot, use a small rectangular needle file to re-cut the slot and smooth the screw head, clean and apply some cold blue. The other options are to get a replacement screw, or just ignore it. LOL! Enjoy!

 

[Inkgardener]

I am in the hunt for a collector grade RM though...with the box, certificate, letter, etc. etc. That would be something I would not likely find at the county-fair style gun show. I just sent in my application to the SWCA and intend to go to Concord NC this June, in hopes of making connections, learning, and seeing all the displays. I have never been (obviously as a non-member), but I am also guessing that I might could find a nice RM at the symposium as well.

I thought I dove into S&W collecting hard a few months ago with buying six hand ejectors in a two week period!

You’re running straight for Cindy Crawford!! That’s awesome though! I also hope to unearth a Registered Magnum that is unaccounted for from somewhere. Hopefully at a price I can swallow.


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[series guy]

The .357 Magnum can be quite addicting.

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

I thought I dove into S&W collecting hard a few months ago with buying six hand ejectors in a two week period!

You’re running straight for Cindy Crawford!! That’s awesome though! I also hope to unearth a Registered Magnum that is unaccounted for from somewhere. Hopefully at a price I can swallow.


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I hear you Inkgardener. Going straight to the Dance Under the Sea and targeting the prom queen as a lowly George McFly is, well, audacious at best. I admit that.

However, this is not my first rodeo. I have a very regrettable history with one very special Registered Magnum. A long time ago, I inherited a RM from my dad. In 2013, I sold it, and I regretted that move everyday since then. It wasn't a museum RM or anything - far from that. But it was a RM that I got lettered by Roy Jinks and it was my dad's. S&W revolvers were one of the few common interests he and I had... He was a great dad but we had little in common except old guns, old cars and good conversation. In the end, that is plenty to have in common...more than plenty. He left me a cache of old guns, and one of his many old (seemingly nice, but British) British classic saloons. I sold the old brit saloon, with all its gasoline-smelly-oil-leaking-electric-gremlin-nightmarish reality and was glad to be rid of it. Later on, in the gun cache, there was a RM in one of the boxes - and I sold it as well. I'm on the hunt for that exact RM. See link here:

WTB: Registered Magnum

 

[Retired W4]

I recently sold one of my twin 6" .357 Magnums, original box and all. The new owner was very happy.