Pre-27s - Short and Long...question

[Paddy O'Doolin]

I picked up two more Pre-27s on my travels lately. 3 1/2" and 8 3/8". Both are in really nice condition. Both 1956 SNs.

Question - the 3 1/2" has what looks like white paint infill on the barrel "Smith & Wesson" stamp. Is this factory?

 

[DARE]

Nice guns. Don't think the white is factory. Have heard that acetone will clean it up if you want.

 

[Nightowl]

Fantastic pickup!! The white paint did not come from the factory and is easily removed with acetone, nail polish remover or maybe other stuff. The 8 3/8 inch barrel normally shipped with a Patridge front sight, so that one is a little different. From the proud pin, I would think that it was factory installed. Both of those are fun to shoot!

 

[MarkHayden]

I took my recently purchased pre-27 8 3/8” to my gunsmith for his advice on getting some gold paint out of my lettering. Before I could finish my request, he did it! Acetone.

Mark

 

[Frailer]

The white might indeed be paint, but it could also be white grease pencil. A stiff nylon toothbrush will get rid of the latter. If not, it’s acetone time.

 

[T44spl]

The white lettering was a popular thing at one time in the past But to the best of my knowledge not factory applied. Alcohol or Acetone will remove that without any harm to the blueing. Btw did both of your guns come from the same collection if you know? Nice acquisition from the shortest barrel length offered to the longest both in great condition, good find

 

[mtgianni]

Very nice guns. If you look in the model 23 thread, the invoice shows a 3 1/2" cost the wholesaler $1.50 more than the 6".

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

The white lettering was a popular thing at one time in the past But to the best of my knowledge not factory applied. Alcohol or Acetone will remove that without any harm to the blueing. Btw did both of your guns come from the same collection if you know? Nice acquisition from the shortest barrel length offered to the longest both in great condition, good find

I am not sure if they came from the same collection but I did buy them at the same LGS. This makes three Pre-27s for me. Still need a a 5" and a 6 1/2"...the search continues.

 

[Nimrod44]

Nice guns, don't forget the 6"!

 

[Paddy O'Doolin]

Nice guns, don't forget the 6"!

Thanks! I have a 6" already...I found a rather well-worn, but mechanically excellent 6" at a gun show just after Christmas. It will be my regular shooter...

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

 

[Nimrod44]

Those get addictive. I managed to get all the standard barrel lengths and thought I was finished. Then I ran across a nickel one.........