Smith Pre-27! Tell me what you think!

[KPK102084]

Hey everyone. I posted in the 1981 to present forum the other day about a 629 I bought and asked in the same thread, what kind of deal a pre-27 was for $450 (good or bad). Well of course I did my own research and listened to you guys and got that thing as soon as I could. I ended up paying the gentleman $450 (he was asking $500).

I went to pick the gun up and to my suprise it was shipped with the original owners manual and warranty ticket/statement of liability. It has the date of April 15, 1955 printed on it and a later stamp of August 28, 1969 with the SN written on the card.

The revolver is a 3.5" model with a target hammer and trigger, but not sights. Could that be the reason for the stamp of August 28, 1969? Adding the trigger and hammer from the factory? Or could it simply be when he purchased it? He said he got it in the 60's.

Anyways I told everyone I would share my story with some pics. Let me know what you think of her!!! Is this pretty much the holy grail of Smith revolvers?

 

[Muley Gil]

All M27s, and pre M27s, come from the factory with target sights. Your revolver has a Baughman ramp front sight and a standard S&W adjustable rear sight.

You may be confusing the red ramp front and white outline rear blade options as being "target sights". Those are variations.

Fixed sights are what come on revolvers such as the M10, 12, 13, 64, 65, etc.

You have a very nice revolver there. I have one that I converted to .44 Special back in 1976.

 

[KPK102084]

Thanks for the info Muley. Looks like this is all correct with the case colored trigger and hammer as well huh? What's the potential value of this one?

I love this thing!! Got any pics of the 44 spl?

 

[opoefc]

S115502 is a Pre-27 serial number, probably shipped around 1954. Apparently some prior owner has mixed up the paper work & box with your gun, as there would not have been any Model 27 Spec. sheet in 1954. Model numbers were not assigned until 1957.. The sights are adjustable and correct for the gun. What does it say on the frame under the yoke? Irregardless, $450 is a good buy. Ed.

 

[KPK102084]

Ed you are probably right, I wondered the same thing. It's an S115xxx so that is pre-27 correct? The warranty card is dated 1955 which would be correct for the SN from what I've read, but the manual is probably wrong??

 

[Muley Gil]

I had the cylinder rechambered to .44 Special and a 6 1/2" 1950 barrel installed. In 2005, I had the barrel cut to 5", and the revolver reblued. David Clements did the work.

Walker Arms in Selma, Alabama did the original conversion work. I had requested back then to have the barrel cut, but somehow that part of the work didn't get done. Being a poorly paid deputy sheriff at the time, and wanting to go shoot my new toy, I took the M27 .44 as is and carried it as my duty gun for several years.

 

[KPK102084]

Sorry posted the wrong card picture. This one you can read better!

 

[KPK102084]

Very nice Muley! That thing looks brand new.

 

[Cactus]

If you hear a knock at the door don't answer! It's the cops coming to arrest you for stealing that one.

 

[kennyb]

that should make a good shooter for you...congrats!

 

[Culina]

I would have jumped at it for that price, it has the been there done that look, but I like it.

 

[Teddydog]

Excellent gun. Awesome price. Congrats.

Rob

 

[CajunBass]

Ed you are probably right, I wondered the same thing. It's an S115xxx so that is pre-27 correct? The warranty card is dated 1955 which would be correct for the SN from what I've read, but the manual is probably wrong??

I've got one in the S122 range, so yours is earlier than mine, and I've always thought of mine as '54...maybe 55 from what I've read.

I won't tell you what I paid for mine since it would just make you get all giddy and giggly and such, but it was a fair amount more than you did.

They are great guns.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello KPK102084
Nice Pre-27 you have there. Mine is serial number S-138XXX and shipped in July 1955. The 3-1/2" variation Pre-27s are highly desireable and Nickel examples are super hard to find as very few were made compared to the blued ones, so I was glad to have found mine....They shoot as good as they look.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm starting to want a 3.5" 27 so bad it hurts. I would have lost my mind to find one with that price tag. I wouldn't even have argued the price any. I think as soon as I pay off my 65 and start saving up enough funds the first mechanically sound 3.5" 27 is mine...

Want bad...

 

[Art Doc]

That 1955 date on the box and the literature is the copyright date for the text printed on the box and the literature and has nothing to do with the date of the gun. Anything dated 1955 probably is not original to your gun as it sounds like 1954 on it. As noted, a previous owner has mixed up the material between guns.

 

[AirCommando]

Anyways I told everyone I would share my story with some pics. Let me know what you think of her!!! Is this pretty much the holy grail of Smith revolvers?

Yes it is! For many of us. You are one lucky dude!

 

[AleAlonso]

Hello KPK102084
Nice Pre-27 you have there. Mine is serial number S-138XXX and shipped in July 1955. The 3-1/2" variation Pre-27s are highly desireable and Nickel examples are super hard to find as very few were made compared to the blued ones, so I was glad to have found mine....They shoot as good as they look.

All I feel is envy...

Congrats, Alejandro

 

[KPK102084]

Thanks for the pics guys! Love the longer barrel version and that sweet Nickel beauty!

How much would a Nickel run? I'd like to have one someday as I increase my collection. I will have another to add to the collection tomorrow...a 95% Model 19-3 2.5" barrel! Can't wait to get it.

Thanks for the comments guys. Looks like I did alright and may shouldn't have even bid him lower, lol...

 

[dmar]

Thanks for the pics guys! Love the longer barrel version and that sweet Nickel beauty!

How much would a Nickel run? I'd like to have one someday as I increase my collection. I will have another to add to the collection tomorrow...a 95% Model 19-3 2.5" barrel! Can't wait to get it.

Thanks for the comments guys. Looks like I did alright and may shouldn't have even bid him lower, lol...

Price is all about condition, your's is a nice shooter grade gun, I think you made a good deal... Nice looking gun, and I'm sure it will shoot great, congratulations!