Scratched up pre-27 3.5”

[WV2A]

Hello, I’ve owned this beautiful pre-27 for almost four years now. A local dealer would bring it to shows for years prior to me acquiring it and I’d always ask him how much he wanted for it. Finally, he surprised me and priced it and I ended up trading four guns to get it. I see the dealer at the local shows still and he asks me every time if I’ll sell it back to him.

Anyway, it is serial number S117xxx which from what I can tell puts it at 1954. The 5th edition states that the red ramp white outline was introduced in late 1955 and this doesn’t have it so believe 1954 is accurate.

Since I got it I’ve talked about lettering it but for some odd reason just haven’t done it. I know very little about engraved guns (other than to know when to not pass one up!!) so I wanted to post here to get thoughts on whether someone can tell if it could be factory engraved by recognizing the engraving style or other features that might be associated with a specific engraver. Even if it ends up not factory it’ll always be one of my favorites as every time I get it out I’m memorized by the beauty of it. I also have the gold box for it marked 3.5” blue as a bonus.

Thanks for any input as I know there are several out there who specialize in these like RKMesa, etc…

 

[22hipower]

A 3.5 engraved pre-27, that will be right up RKmesa's alley. I'm far from knowledgeable on these but I'd guess it is not factory. The large logo on the right side suggests that it isn't factory although I'm not sure when the factory started using the small logo on the left side for engraved guns. The plum colored cylinder, appears so on my screen anyway, suggests otherwise too and I don't think I've seen animals engraved on standard factory pieces. If those magna stocks number to the gun that would be another indicator that it is not factory as I think most factory engraved guns left with smooth target stocks. RKmesa or Doc44 or one of the other knowledgeable folks will be along to give you a better assessment. I would letter it as you never know what will pop up in the letters. If factory, great, but more importantly I think, if you like it, it doesn't really matter whether it was factory engraved. Nice gun, enjoy it and thanks for sharing it with us.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[A10]

Them scratches should buff out.....

 

[RKmesa]

Hello, I’ve owned this beautiful pre-27 for almost four years now...

...it is serial number S117xxx which from what I can tell puts it at 1954.

...I know very little about engraved guns (other than to know when to not pass one up!!) so I wanted to post here to get thoughts on whether someone can tell if it could be factory engraved by recognizing the engraving style or other features that might be associated with a specific engraver. Even if it ends up not factory it’ll always be one of my favorites as every time I get it out I’m memorized by the beauty of it. I also have the gold box for it marked 3.5” blue as a bonus.

Thanks for any input as I know there are several out there who specialize in these like RKMesa, etc…

That is a fun gun. The 3.5" 357 Magnums make great canvases for the engraver's art. Based on guns in my collection with serial numbers near yours, I would agree with your 1954 estimated ship date (as you know - only a letter can confirm the ship date).

As to the engraving, I agree with Jeff, (who has quite the nice collection of engraved guns himself) that it was not factory engraved. As Jeff noted, most of the post war factory engraved guns had a small roll mark on the left side under the thumb release and often shipped with smooth factory presentation stocks (either target or magna). Also, the engraving does not resemble work by any 1950s factory engraver known to me (Harry Jarvis, Virginia LeBlanc, Russ Smith, Alvin Herbert). It also does not look like the work of any of the other engravers I am aware of. My assessment of the engraving is that your engraved gun is the early work of an engraver who was still refining his craft. Forum member 2152hq is THE EXPERT here on assessing engraving. He is a master engraver himself and I always love his expert opinion. Hopefully, he will chime in.

I always say that if you are going to purchase an engraved firearm, the most important question that you have to ask yourself is "does it speak to me?" If the answer to that question is "yes" and you want it and can afford it then buy it, take it home and enjoy it. It sounds like that 3.5"er spoke to you for several years before its prior owner allowed you to answer its call (I have several in my collection that took some time before I could answer their call - it is worth the wait).

Thank you for sharing your 3.5" Magnum treasure with the rest of us and once again Congrats!!!

 

[pharman]

Very Nice!

Eric that is a very nicely engraved Model 27...in my opinion it is not gawdy but just the right amount of engraving to make it interesting...please bring it to the "Bunch" to display so we can look at it in person...Roger

 

[WV2A]

Thank you Jeff and Richard for your thoughts here as they are greatly appreciated. Yes, it definitely spoke to me for several years before I brought it home and each time the seller said, “NO,” it seemed to speak louder. I’ve assured him since then that it’s not for sale but that it’s found a good home and that I’ll take good care of it. Roger, I’ll bring it to the upcoming Bunch so that you can see it in person. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and thoughts! Lastly, thanks Richard for posting larger images as I don’t know how to do that. If there is a sticky on that let me know please as it will be very helpful for future posts.