Pre 27 Stocks question

[ghawke]

I saw this on gunbroke.com. The stocks look somewhat like pre-war Magnas, but not quite, IMO. I have only seen others in pictures.
The auction says the revolver was made in 1955.
Anybody have a comment on what they are?
Greg

Smith & Wesson Pre-27 .357 Mag 3-1/2" 1955 S&W : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[stoneke]

They appear to be pre-war magnas in good shape. If so, they are worth a few hundred dollars.

 

[Pontiaker]

The grips are awesome but dont look factory to me mainly because they are almost too good for the gun. To me they look like Keith Brown's work or possibly some other stock maker at the top of his game like KB. I could be completely wrong and it wouldn't be the first time;~) Also the gun may have had other grips on it for years with the originals in storage then put back on the gun before posting it for sale? Who knows.

Sure would be cool if we could see the inside of the right grip and see if there is a serial number that matches the gun and see what the back of the medallions look like. If the grips are original they alone could sell for $600 or even more. If they are super nice craftsman made replacement grips they are still about $250-$300. Very cool, nice shooter grade gun with some nice wood weather they are factory or not.Let us know if you get it.
Matt

 

[ghawke]

Further review

Thanks for the replies,
SC of S&W shows SN in 1955 range.
The interesting part of this gun, the stocks; after looking at excellent pictures of a K22 Outdoorsman with pre-war Magnas, by RKmesa of this forum, I agree with stoneke that they probably are pre-war Magnas.
But I won't spend the money to find out.

(picture of pre-war Magnas is in post #7)
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/223145-k22-outdoorsman.html

 

[VM]

Those are Factory grips and worth $400-$500. They also have the proper pre war length on the butt as you can see (proud on a post war frame)

 

[DWFAN]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say they are not original stocks but remakes by someone very good at what they do. The medallions are washed out, you can see brass and the screw inserts don't seem to be pre war but a latter style. Just my nickles worth.
DW

 

[Pontiaker]

I also think at least one of the grip emblems has been touched up or painted with silver paint, there does not seem to be the right chrome/nickle shine on them. Even my worn large flat medallions with some of the plating gone still look shiny on the flats of them.

The wood on one of them looks like classic S&W walnut grain but the other does not look like the same grain, not even close.

These two things dont prove anything though;~)

 

[Pontiaker]

Anyone else notice the rear sight? It sits too far backward over the top of the hammer, when the hammer is down. There is also a gap there too like its too long. I bet the original was damaged and they used a way later 27 sight as a replacement.

 

[ghawke]

Anyone else notice the rear sight? It sits too far backward over the top of the hammer, when the hammer is down. There is also a gap there too like its too long. I bet the original was damaged and they used a way later 27 sight as a replacement.

I agree, I just looked at one of my HP's and the sight is right up tight to that shoulder.

Thanks to all for your comments.
Greg

 

[DGT]

Good eye Pontiaker, I didn't catch the issue when I first looked at it.

Rear sight and grips aside, I could never get passed that hideous chicken scratchin' on the frame below the cylinder release.

 

[-db-]

I'm no expert but I'm inclined to agree with Pontiaker here. It's difficult to ascertain exactly what it is, but something doesn't look right about those stocks. The wood on the right side is darker and older-looking whereas the left-side stock looks as if it were made yesterday. The medallions don't look the same and the diamond on the left-side stock is clearly a couple LPI larger than the right-side's. Furthermore, and perhaps it's just my poor vision, but is that a brass screw (see photo #8)?

No one noticed Hammerdown's escutcheons and screw are backwards at the link ghawke posted: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/223145-k22-outdoorsman.html#post136255049

 

[H Richard]

The rear sight is incorrect, and the yellow front sight insert is also not correct. Along with that ugly damage on the frame and questionable stocks, I would steer clear of it.