A local shop has a gun in the case, the tag states its a former Georgia State Patrol revolver. The gun is stamped GSP on the side and has a three and a half in ch barrel. The serial number on the gun is 177841 Im new to revolvers but something seems off to me.What do you guys think?
pre model 27 identification
- Thread starter Stinxx
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Alk8944
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The serial number should have either an N or S prefix. All I see is the red insert is hard to see because it blends into the background, and it doesn't look like the cylinder is indexed to a stop notch, might just be lighting.
Other than that what do you think is "Off" about it?
Other than that what do you think is "Off" about it?
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Well, if it is not model marked, it likely was made in 1957. Serial # S177841. I don't see anything that stands out being out of place.
It appears to have a matte finish instead of a high gloss.
Is that correct or is it just the pic clarity?
If it is matte, is it possible its been refinished or its a highway patrolman with a replaced M27 bbl?
Other than the finish the gun seems fine.
Is that correct or is it just the pic clarity?
If it is matte, is it possible its been refinished or its a highway patrolman with a replaced M27 bbl?
Other than the finish the gun seems fine.
Hello Mr. Stinxx, nice gun and welcome to S&W revolvers. Pls. post some more pics . Especially of the top of the frame/barrel. Take a tare measure with you. And pic of the Sn. on the butt. It has a tag attached, so what is the asking price?
I show a .44 Magnum at serial number S178003 that shipped in November, 1957. Perhaps that helps a little bit.
If it is indeed a 27 (pre) the top strap will have the serrations in both direction. A modified HP will be smooth with no serrations on the rear sight leaf.
Most of these 3-1/2" 357s bring closer to $1500. Unless the finish looks like rework, It is easily worth $1000.
handejector
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Better pics would help. I suspect a refinish....
The gun is Matte blue, the serial number is S177841. to me it looks more like a model 28 but the serial number seems to suggest other
I believe it does not have the serations, I'm going to go back to the shop on Tuesday to look at it again
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If it is a Highway Patrolman with a replaced barrel (those only were 4 and 6"), the serial number stamped in the barrel recess for the extractor rod will not match the frame. Perhaps the finish just needs some TLC to get it back to .357 Magnum standards. 
As we all know, the Highway Patrolman was only manufactured with either a 4" or 6" bbl., and the Baughman-style front sight did not have a colored insert. If this revolver is indeed an early Highway Patrolman, the barrel must have been swapped out for a 3-1/2" .357 Magnum barrel. But why then is the barrel matte finished instead of gloss blue? If there are no serrations on the top strap of the barrel, then perhaps the 4" or 6" barrel was shortened? Whichever is the case, IMO the revolver is still worth $1K- especially with the GSP provenance. The closest s/n I have is a 4-screw .44 Magnum (shipped 1958), s/n S177963. But since all N-frame revolver models were mixed within the s/n ranges, we'll have to wait for some additional information from Stinxx.
I saw a nice display of GSP hardware displayed at a collector's show in South Georgia quite a few years back. So old, I took a picture with a film camera.
The progression of revolvers on the display board before GSP went to autoloaders was:
Colt DA of some sort chambered in 45LC
S&W model 28
S&W model 19
S&W model 66
Based on what I saw my guess is this is a 28 with a 27 barrel.
ETA: I'd cough up 1k for it myself -
The progression of revolvers on the display board before GSP went to autoloaders was:
Colt DA of some sort chambered in 45LC
S&W model 28
S&W model 19
S&W model 66
Based on what I saw my guess is this is a 28 with a 27 barrel.
ETA: I'd cough up 1k for it myself -
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