I may have screwed myself but you'll be the judge!
First, here's the gun:
S&W 27-2. Sn N81xxx
Three screw, 3.5"bbl; Magna stocks (one numbered to the gun).
Bought online. Gun condition overall okay, I'd guess blueing is 95%.
The online posting said that the frame is numbered to the box. However, the serial number on the box was "erased" and a new serial number written in it's place. Different color ink even. I can see some remnants of the previous serial number on the box.
The screw in the plate under the grips does not look like the correct screw as it does not have the un-threaded portion - just the short threaded portion and the top of the screw and the top of the screw is flat - almost like a scope ring screw or something out of a box of various blued screews from Brownells.
I paid $1600 for the gun.
There is a 3-day inspection period on the gun and I paid with a credit card. I'm open to discussing with the seller who has a high rating on Gunbroker but would like to know the value of the gun and box.
Questions:
1. By about how much does the apparently fraudulently-marked box reduce the value of the gun-box package?
2. the number on the inside of the crane is 54621 - is this a part number or should it match the serial number? I have some other Smith's but not this old so I don't know.
3. The ejector rod is slightly eccentric but does not seem to rub much upon ejecting at all.
My goal for the gun is to have one that is not NIB as I want to be able to shoot it once a year and enjoy it, but still have one that is good enough to hold or gain value.
What is your wisdom on this matter? Should I simply return it, or negotiate for a more fair price?
Thanks in advance.
First, here's the gun:
S&W 27-2. Sn N81xxx
Three screw, 3.5"bbl; Magna stocks (one numbered to the gun).
Bought online. Gun condition overall okay, I'd guess blueing is 95%.
The online posting said that the frame is numbered to the box. However, the serial number on the box was "erased" and a new serial number written in it's place. Different color ink even. I can see some remnants of the previous serial number on the box.
The screw in the plate under the grips does not look like the correct screw as it does not have the un-threaded portion - just the short threaded portion and the top of the screw and the top of the screw is flat - almost like a scope ring screw or something out of a box of various blued screews from Brownells.
I paid $1600 for the gun.
There is a 3-day inspection period on the gun and I paid with a credit card. I'm open to discussing with the seller who has a high rating on Gunbroker but would like to know the value of the gun and box.
Questions:
1. By about how much does the apparently fraudulently-marked box reduce the value of the gun-box package?
2. the number on the inside of the crane is 54621 - is this a part number or should it match the serial number? I have some other Smith's but not this old so I don't know.
3. The ejector rod is slightly eccentric but does not seem to rub much upon ejecting at all.
My goal for the gun is to have one that is not NIB as I want to be able to shoot it once a year and enjoy it, but still have one that is good enough to hold or gain value.
What is your wisdom on this matter? Should I simply return it, or negotiate for a more fair price?
Thanks in advance.
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). As for the box, it sounds like the seller had bought another box and erased the original serial number and printed in the one for your gun. That ain't too kosher in my book. As to pricing, $1600 for a an earlier 5 digit N serial like yours is a bit high, but not grossly so. Yours should have been made around the late 60's to 1971 or so according to the SCSW. As far as the flat head screw, that is what should be there under the grips. It wasn't until way later that S&W used dome head screws in that spot. I don't know when they stopped using the flat head screw there, but they still were using the flat head screw under the grip area on my 27-5 of 1991 vintage and also my 629-3 Classic of 1991-1992 vintage.
