pre 27 id

[mntnbkr1968]

I'm new here but I have my Great-Grampa's pre-27 and I really want to know more about it. it's a 3.5" blued with #62095 in the correct locations, but with no letter prefix. I also have the original blue box, green guarantee slip, and little white "caution" slip but no manual or sales receipt. Thanks in advance as this is a family treasure (that shoots like a dream). My great-grampa and grampa both carried this gun on duty!!! thanks again

 

[mntnbkr1968]

I'm new here but I have my Great-Grampa's pre-27 and I really want to know more about it. it's a 3.5" blued with #62095 in the correct locations, but with no letter prefix. I also have the original blue box, green guarantee slip, and little white "caution" slip but no manual or sales receipt. Thanks in advance as this is a family treasure (that shoots like a dream). My great-grampa and grampa both carried this gun on duty!!! thanks again

 

[Doc44]

Spunds like a great revolver!! Several of the ".357" Magnums in the serial number range of yours were shipped in 1940. It would be called a Pre-War, Non-Registered revolver.

Members who specialize in the collecting of Registered and Non-Registered Magnums will probably be able to provide more detailed information.

If you are interested in when and where you revolver was shipped, and anything else that may be special about it, I would suggest you obtain a factory letter by contacting Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson.

Bill

 

[mntnbkr1968]

Thanks so much Bill. The value of this gun to me is priceless. It's just great to have something this fantastic passed on. Never to be sold, but passed on to my own kids some day. Thanks & Merry Christmas.
Monty

 

[bettis1]

mntnbkr1968,

Congratulations on having a very desirable family heirloom and welcome to the Forum.

Bill is exactly right that you need to send $30 to Roy Jinks, the S&W Historian, for a letter. Send it to: PO Box 2208, Springfield MA 01102. Describe the gun (finish, barrel length, sights, grips, etc.) Roy will tell you exactly when the gun was shipped and where it originally shipped to. These non-registered magnums, especially those with LEO history as documented by your family are very collectable.

We all would like to see pictures of your great grandfather's and grandfather's gun and learn more about it, i.e. where and when were they officers.

Bob

 

[mntnbkr1968]

Thanks Bob,
I'm working on the pics right now. Sounds like I need to type up a letter to Mr. Jinks too! This is going to be a lot of fun I can tell.
Monty

 

[JayCeeNC]

Monty, it sounds like you have a very valuable heirloom to pass down to your children.
Here's a form you can use to send to S&W for a history letter:

S&W History Letter Request

 

[JSW]

mntnbkr1968, hope those photos are coming soon because you're killing me! This is a thread that demands pics!

 

[merlindrb]

Sounds like a great example. The 3 1/2" are much sought after, as are all the pre-war magnums.

Condition is a large factor to price but I don't think that's an issue here as it's a family gun and I'm sure it's not for sale.

I echo the post above and plead for some pics. If you don't know how to post them tell us and we'll give you instructions.

Congrats on having such a great piece of family history!

 

[mntnbkr1968]

I hope I got it right!!! Thanks to bdgreen for a faq on how to post. Btw, called over to Supica's place of business today. Found out his place is about 30 minutes from mine. Hoping to pick up a copy of his book tomorrow if the weather isn't to bad!!!
Thanks again.
Monty

 

[dwf6666]

Monty,

You're very fortunate indeed. That's one beautiful S&W. I can't wait to hear more about the history of this gun.

Thanks,
Don

 

[bettis1]

...called over to Supica's place of business today.

Aw, naw... Now the big money is in the game

Just kiddin' because Jim is an excellent person to help you fill in the blanks with your ancestral piece. It looks to be in remarkably good condition and they obviously took great care of it. When you can, please give us more details on it's history.

Bob

 

[JSW]

That's more like it! That is one beautiful gun and quite rare. A short-barreled prewar magnum is rare enough, but one with a police history and also with your own family's history too, that gun is priceless.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!
A fine example of a true cop gun carried by two generations, well taken care of, and with a rare barrel length.
What a priceless piece of family history!

 

[merlindrb]

Monty

That's a nice looking heirloom you got there. I'll bet it shoots just great as well. The actions were generally good when they left the factory and they only improve with use.

The front sight is a Baughman "quick draw" and I'm willing to bet the rear is a square notch. That's pretty de facto for an LEO gun. The finish looks nice with appropriate usage and holster wear. I'll bet the grips number to the gun as well. If you want to check the grips remove them - carefully so's not to scratch or otherwise damage the checkering - and the 5 digit serial number should be stamped on the inside of the right grip panel.

Treasure this one my friend. It'll never let you down.

I strongly echo another post above about getting a factory letter for it. It only costs $30 from S&W and it may fill in a lot of the blanks on it's history. With luck it may even letter directly to your great grandfather. If you don't know how to get a letter email me off line and I'll send you a form.

Regards.

 

[RKmesa]

All:

I'm open to be adopted into a family with heirlooms like that. What a fun revolver...

 

[PRE64270]

WOW what a piece, thanks for sharing. Do the letter and be sure to keep us posted. Let's hear a little history about the men that carried this piece. My father was an LEO and I followed in his steps and later carried one of his pieces, S&W M66 4", for a couple of years when I started in the mid 90's and revolvers were still in. That M66 is a heirloom in the making and will make a good story piece someday.

 

[VonFatman]

Monty,
Hmmm....deductive reasoning has helped me to theorize that you may be located somehwere near the KC Area...

If that's the case...I would gladly meet you at a local range sometime...and let you shoot my recently acquired 38-44 Heavy Duty (or any other goodies I might have lurking in the safe) for the chance to look over your beautiful gun...perhaps have the chance to shoot it...hint hint

Should you elect to consider such an event...please contact me...my e-mail is in my profile.

Beautiful gun!!! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Welcome to the Forum.

Bob