Pre-model 27 Acquisition, date?

[Six6]

Hi, I was very excited to acquire this pre-model 27 from my LGS after lusting after it for a few months. I guess 8 3/8" barrels aren't that desirable for the folks snapping up guns today, nor semi-expensive revolvers.

SN# S 164XXX

I think this is one of the early pre-27's, five screw, recessed cyclinder, case hardened hammer and trigger. These photos are pre-Flitz, and it cleaned up really nicely.

First range trip was today with my son, who acquired a 1970 Model 36 at the same time. While I was purchasing the 27 I mentioned that Son#1 was looking for a vintage m36. He must've thought about it for a while, because a little while later he brought out his former partner's 36. Wasn't even for sale...but now it's my son's first S&W. Nice start to a collection.

The 27 is a SWEET shooter! Gobbles up .357 recoil, super accurate, and shooting 38 special is akin to shooting .22. My new favorite revolver for sure.

 

[Six6]

His model 36 acquisition, fresh from the LGS safe

 

[VM]

Congrats on your purchase.
Take it easy with those Coke Target grips at the range.
Their value is similar to your screen name......
six bills

Hi, I was very excited to acquire this pre-model 27 from my LGS after lusting after it for a few months. I guess 8 3/8" barrels aren't that desirable for the folks snapping up guns today, nor semi-expensive revolvers.

SN# S 164XXX

I think this is one of the early pre-27's, five screw, recessed cyclinder, case hardened hammer and trigger. These photos are pre-Flitz, and it cleaned up really nicely.

First range trip was today with my son, who acquired a 1970 Model 36 at the same time. While I was purchasing the 27 I mentioned that Son#1 was looking for a vintage m36. He must've thought about it for a while, because a little while later he brought out his former partner's 36. Wasn't even for sale...but now it's my son's first S&W. Nice start to a collection.

The 27 is a SWEET shooter! Gobbles up .357 recoil, super accurate, and shooting 38 special is akin to shooting .22. My new favorite revolver for sure.

 

[22hipower]

Nice, I bought SN S161987 8 3/8 last week but it didn't come with cokes. Do I see screw holes on the top of the barrel rib? Someone D&T'd it for a scope? It has a ramp front sight too rather than the usual patridge, does the SN in the ejector housing match the frame and cylinder? I think yours (and mine) are probably 1956 but it would take a letter to get the ship to location and exact date shipped. Here's a picture of mine for comparison.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Six6]

Nice, I bought SN S161987 8 3/8 last week but it didn't come with cokes. Do I see screw holes on the top of the barrel rib? Someone D&T'd it for a scope? It has a ramp front sight too rather than the usual patridge, does the SN in the ejector housing match the frame and cylinder? I think yours (and mine) are probably 1956 but it would take a letter to get the ship to location and exact date shipped. Here's a picture of mine for comparison.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

There are....I guess it has been D&T...should get a letter and find out if it was done at the factory. I figured the ramp was added later, given the plastic red dot. SN match.

Nice purchase, we both have excellent taste! '56 was a good year.

 

[RKmesa]

Congrats on acquiring one of the nicest shooting irons in the S&W catalog. I love the 8 3/8" barreled pre-27s. I have two of them in the S164XXX range, both of which shipped in 1957. Also, the red ramp on the 8 3/8" barrel is less common than the Patridge front sight, but not uncommon. S168864 is another 1957 8 3/8" pre-27 in my collection that is my favorite .357 Magnum to shoot. It has lots of wear, but like you said, it makes "shooting 38 special... akin to shooting .22."

Thanks for sharing,

 

[diecidecimi]

VEry nice acquisition indeed. Maybe you was not aware of the Coke grips, moreover! Btw we are.... in the wrong section! (Before 1961 3 screws)

 

[Hawg Rider]

Watch out for those Cokes...

+1 on being careful with those Coke bottle stocks. There is a tendency for the stocks to chip right behind the trigger guard due to recoil...I know because I've had to have a nice set of Cokes reworked to repair the damage. If you want to shoot it often, I suggest you pick up a set of Pachmayr or Hogue stocks, or a set of more modern S&W Target stocks. Enjoy!

 

[Six6]

+1 on being careful with those Coke bottle stocks. There is a tendency for the stocks to chip right behind the trigger guard due to recoil...I know because I've had to have a nice set of Cokes reworked to repair the damage. If you want to shoot it often, I suggest you pick up a set of Pachmayr or Hogue stocks, or a set of more modern S&W Target stocks. Enjoy!

Sounds like a solid idea, I have been thinking of taking off all of my S&W revolver original grips and replacing with Hogue or Altamont grips for trips to the range. I shoot them all, but no need to risk damaging the grips.

I knew the grips were Cokes...but not sure if they are Walnut or Rosewood.

 

[Six6]

VEry nice acquisition indeed. Maybe you was not aware of the Coke grips, moreover! Btw we are.... in the wrong section! (Before 1961 3 screws)

Yeah, whoops, not sure how I posted in the wrong section.

 

[VM]

Sounds like a solid idea, I have been thinking of taking off all of my S&W revolver original grips and replacing with Hogue or Altamont grips for trips to the range. I shoot them all, but no need to risk damaging the grips.

I knew the grips were Cokes...but not sure if they are Walnut or Rosewood.

I believe they are Goncalo Alves

 

[Art Doc]

I have S164278 shipped May 17, 1957. A 6.5 with a ramp (RR & WO).

 

[GypsmJim]

This thread made me smile. My pre-27 was the first 8 3/8" I ever bought. After liking it so much, there were more 8 inchers to come.

Mine is S162xxx, circa 01/1956. All original and no target options.

(PS - I have a good camera and get awesome outdoor shots, but just haven't mastered closeup handgun pics. I guess the subject of another post)

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

I`ve got a few pre 27s,and the 8 3/8 length is my favorite