S&W 1956 Nickle Pre-Model 27

[312_Main]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/99191-model-27-no-dash.html

This is a follow up to another thread (above). I originally thought i was buying an old model 27 but determined it's actually a pre 27 so here is a bit more on that:

S&W 1956 Nickle Pre-Model 27

I took delivery of my pre-Model 27 today. Serial # 164697 which puts it about 1956. I’ve sent off for a letter to verify ship date, stocks and front sight. Everything looks correct and all numbers match except the stocks which have an earlier serial #160970. I understand it’s possible for that to be the stocks shipped with the gun as sometimes they used what was available. Maybe someone can verify that for me as I only see a vague referance to that in the S&W Standard Catalogue. The wear patterns look consistant with them having been on the revolver for a very long time. There are some swirl marks in the original nickel finish but that’s to be expected. Looks like someone has held it often but hardly ever shot it as the bore looks factory crisp and bright. No box but it was wrapped in what appears to be the old rust inhibiting paper. I won’t be buying a gold box on Gunbroker anytime soon at those prices. Here’s a few pics.

This is a keeper and will reside alongside my ’58 Python and 1960 mahogony box high polish Ruger SBH.

Mike in Vancouver

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the great looking Pre Model 27

 

[GF]

Nice. The stocks alone are worth north of a coupla' hundred bucks.

GF

 

[Art Doc]

That can't be the correct serial number. An N frame of that era will have a letter S prefix.

It appears the stocks are stamped with the serial of the gun they came on. Rare with targets. Does it match the gun (they ommitted the letter prefix on the stocks for brevity but the numbers should match)?

 

[VM]

Mike - nice gun and neat stocks. My understanding is that some Pre 25's stamped serial numbers in (non-relieved) the Diamond targets like your set.
What is Real neat to me is that I have a set that is 52 numbers from your stocks. (161022)

 

[29aholic]

Very nice

Rare gun not only in finish, but also in barrel length with the ramp front sight. Yours is the only nickel pre-27 I've seen with longer than a 3 1/2 barrel.

 

[bshnt2015]

Canada still lets you keep guns like that at home?

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Very nice. You did good. Don

 

[Hammerdown]

Rare gun not only in finish, but also in barrel length with the ramp front sight. Yours is the only nickel pre-27 I've seen with longer than a 3 1/2 barrel.

Hello
Curtis is dead On with his assessment. That Pre-27 is the Hardest to find In Nickel having the 6-1/2" Barrel. I was told this recently by a sage collector and I Passed on one just like it a year ago for $1100.00 and now deeply regreat that choice. Nice rare example and super looking grips whether they came with that gun or not, Non-Relieved-N-Frame targets are tough to find Period... Hammerdown

 

[fat tom]

That Pre-27 is the Hardest to find In Nickel having the 6-1/2" Barrel.Hammerdown

Have to disagree with you on that one Kurt. The 5" is ,by far,the rarest bbl length.

f.t.

 

[SDH]

Great find 312, I recently aquired a Pre-27 and consider myself lucky.
(Tom's revolver is a stunner as well!)
Hope you both respond to my Cleaning Nickle post.
Best,
Steve

 

[Hammerdown]

Have to disagree with you on that one Kurt. The 5" is ,by far,the rarest bbl length.

f.t.

Hello F.T.
Although there is No concrete evidence of just how many Were made in each Barrel Length, I was told by a Sage collector, that The 6.5" Barrel length was the Rarest. The 5" Barrel is in 2nd Place as the Most common barrel being slightly less Popular than the 6" Barrel models which were the Most Common of all barrel length's of the Pre-27's.His findings surprised me as well, But given his Vast Knowledge and His award winning collection, I tend to go with What he has seen & Collected in the past 35 Years. Hammerdown