Trying to determine value on pre-27 6" .357

[wayniac]

Folks,

I need a little help here. I know very little about vintage revolvers and even less about their value. I've checked some gb auctions to see what similar items are going for, but everywhere I've asked, they've said to check with you guys.

Anyway, I received a 5-screw pre-27 .357 Magnum in trade years ago and I'm trying to determine what it would be worth. The previous owner stored it in a leather holster and as a result it has some finish issues as you can see from the pictures. If you all could maybe give me a ballpark figure, I would be much obliged. I've taken some pictures and put them HERE rather than trying to put them all up on the forums. It does have the original small grips, but they are in about the same shape, which is why I took them off. Mechanically, it seems pretty sound, but I have no experience gaging these. Rifling is still very good and it fires properly. There is a bit of flame cutting on the topstrap, but I forgot to get a pic of that. Serial number, iirc, is in the S139XXX range.

Thanks in advance,
Wayne

 

[wayniac]

Folks,

I need a little help here. I know very little about vintage revolvers and even less about their value. I've checked some gb auctions to see what similar items are going for, but everywhere I've asked, they've said to check with you guys.

Anyway, I received a 5-screw pre-27 .357 Magnum in trade years ago and I'm trying to determine what it would be worth. The previous owner stored it in a leather holster and as a result it has some finish issues as you can see from the pictures. If you all could maybe give me a ballpark figure, I would be much obliged. I've taken some pictures and put them HERE rather than trying to put them all up on the forums. It does have the original small grips, but they are in about the same shape, which is why I took them off. Mechanically, it seems pretty sound, but I have no experience gaging these. Rifling is still very good and it fires properly. There is a bit of flame cutting on the topstrap, but I forgot to get a pic of that. Serial number, iirc, is in the S139XXX range.

Thanks in advance,
Wayne

 

[gjamison]

$200 maybe $300. the gun has seen better days. i would say restore it or just shoot it.

 

[toroflow1]

If you're trying to determine value to sell your pre-27, I would be interested. Thanks.

 

[Kamerer]

$300 might be a good price. It's at the point that it needs a very professional, $300 refinish, or to just go shoot it. Refinishing 27's takes a more skilled hand, the high polish finish, the checkering, you don't go cheap with that or it just looks so wrong. The lack of original stocks hurt the value, too. Ken knows these guns and values and talking to him would be wise.

 

[wayniac]

As noted, I've got the original grips, they were just in the closet when I took the other pictures. They seem to be original, but the only numbers in there are very hard to read and don't seem to match any part of the revolver's SN. Which, by the way is S136XXX, not S139XXX as I mentioned earlier. If anyone has any more questions, I'll do my best to answer or take better pictures

Thanks again!

 

[diamonback68]

$200-300 only as a shooter in my book.

 

[44wheelman]

I think most people here would pay $300 max, but list it on Gunbroker, I am repeatedly surprised by the amount of money people are willing to pay for the lesser condition guns.

 

[VM]

I know it has finish issues but being a 5 screw with Diamond magnas I still think you could get $400 for your "shooter". If you decide to sell it put it here in the classifieds!

Good luck

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by VM:
I know it has finish issues but being a 5 screw with Diamond magnas I still think you could get $400 for your "shooter". If you decide to sell it put it here in the classifieds!

Good luck

You could sure sell it to me for $400! ( Not to cut into the line that seems to be forming

) I'm just saying I would break my arm reaching for my wallet if it is offered to me at that price.

I'm astonished that anyone would suggest $200 for a functional 5 screw Pre-27. Maybe if it spent the last 10 years under water...

 

[fire17]

I would think that it is worth at least $400.
They do not make shooter five screws anymore. Please post your pictures of $200-$300 shooter five screw N frames that you have bought recently. Bob

 

[GLL]

All your gun needs is a matching Tom Threepersons holster and a walk in the woods !

If it is as mechanically sound as you suggest I would give $400 for it. Two years ago I paid $650 for a beautiful LNIB 6 1/2" example but would hesitate to holster it for a week long hike in the wilderness! Yours would be great for that!

Jerry

 

[handejector]

If run on GunBroker at 1 cent with no reserve, the gun would probably break 400. You never know with auctions.
But then again, what do I know?

If you find a willing buyer between 400 and 500, I'd say let it fly, and avoid the auction hassle.
The grips are rather nice, even with the chipped horn.
Great pics.

 

[wayniac]

Thanks, Gents, for all your feedback and suggestions. I think what I need to do now is check through the FAQs and learn a bit about how to gauge the piece to make sure it is "good to go". I've fired it, but it was a ways back, and it was to point of aim at 25 yards and put down a decent group. I've seen all kinds of talk about headspace, end shake, cylinder timing, etc. so I want to make sure that is indeed all good before I try to sell it. Many thanks again to you all!

 

[cubrock]

I'd be a buyer at $300-400 assuming it is mechanically okay. I'd be proud to own and shoot it, too.

 

[ElmerKeith]

Leave it as is and shoot it. It's great.