Help me with my new purchase

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Maximino Medina

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Hello everyone! Im new here and to collecting but have referenced these forums prior to my purchase this week. I recently purchased this model 27 smith and wesson from a pawn shop and i hope i kinda came out of it ok. Paid 750 for it and it is no means in new condition. With the plethora of knowledge on this site i hope anyone can share their expertise on what they think it could be worth? Maybe i broke even or got ripped off? Please see attached . Serial reads s199XXX 5 inch barrel 4 screw pics 20200417_182103.jpg 20200417_182150.jpg 20200417_182103.jpg 20200417_182111.jpg
 
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NIGHTLORD40K said:
I think you did ok, even if the nickel isnt perfect- as long as the timing, lockup, and endshake are good.

The Model 27 is one of the three or four finest revolvers ever made, and you wont find a decent one much cheaper.

Nice gun, OP, and welcome to the forum!
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Thanks for the welcome! I appreciate the kindness and insight
 
That same gun in that condition would likely have right around $750 on the sticker at a local gunshop or show.

In perfect condition, with the original box, I would expect the seller to be asking around $1300.

Mechanically sound, with zero original finish, a M27 would still likely command $5-600.

So, while it wasnt a ridiculous deal, I think you paid a fair price in line with the market, at least in my area (SW FL), anyway. Values, and availability, can vary quite a bit in different locales.

The "score" part is in even finding a nice M27 at a pawnshop.They dont come along every day any more, thats for sure!

There is also something to be said for having a shooter-grade gun (which you have), as opposed to a collector-grade. You can actually play with and enjoy it without having to obsess over every tiny scratch and wear gloves when you handle it, haha!

I have several guns in my pile which I would never have been able to afford were they in perfect condition, and a few others which ARE immaculate and take a bit of effort to keep them that way.......sigh.:)
 
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NIGHTLORD40K said:
That same gun in that condition would likely have right around $750 on the sticker at a local gunshop or show.

In perfect condition, with the original box, I would expect the seller to be asking around $1300.

Mechanically sound, with zero original finish, a M27 would still likely command $5-600.

So, while it wasnt a ridiculous deal, I think you paid a fair price in line with the market, at least in my area (SW FL), anyway. Values, and availability, can vary quite a bit in different locales.

The "score" part is in even finding a nice M27 at a pawnshop.They dont come along every day any more, thats for sure!

There is also something to be said for having a shooter-grade gun (which you have), as opposed to a collector-grade. You can actually play with and enjoy it without having to obsess over every tiny scratch and wear gloves when you handle it, haha!

I have several guns in my pile which I would never have been able to afford were they in perfect condition, and a few others which ARE immaculate and take a bit of effort to keep them that way.......sigh.:)
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Gotcha! Appreciate the info.. definitely will have less hesitation to put rounds through it now!
 
Very nice gun grab for you. Good looking 27....you did well. The diamond stocks are near mint. Do the stocks have a matching serial number?? I'm not sure when S&W stopped that practice.
 
Maximino Medina said:
Hello everyone! Im new here and to collecting but have referenced these forums prior to my purchase this week. I recently purchased this model 27 smith and wesson from a pawn shop and i hope i kinda came out of it ok. Paid 750 for it and it is no means in new condition. With the plethora of knowledge on this site i hope anyone can share their expertise on what they think it could be worth? Maybe i broke even or got ripped off? Please see attached . Serial reads s199XXX 5 inch barrel 4 screw picsView attachment 909230 View attachment 909235 View attachment 909230 View attachment 909231
Click to expand...
Congrats on your beautiful s&w. The model 27 was the first centerfire handgun that I bought back in 1984. A real classic.
And yes, $750 is a good price. Imho.
 
mope540 said:
Very nice gun grab for you. Good looking 27....you did well. The diamond stocks are near mint. Do the stocks have a matching serial number?? I'm not sure when S&W stopped that practice.
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I don't see any serial numbers on these particularly. Not sure if it requires me to take the grips off either
 
Yes, it requires you to take the grips off,... only one of the pieces will have a serial number.
Not sure when S&W quit marking the stocks with a serial number, just curious if yours is marked
 
Now, I am far from an experts, but I have some observations, and questions.

Target stocks were never numbered to the gun. Those diamond targets are highly sought after. I for one am a real sucker for them. I don't think I've ever seen any for an "N" frame...if I had, I'd have them.

I'm curious about a couple of things. Is it a -2, or a -1? You list the S/N as S 199XXX (no idea what that extra "5" is). If it's an "S" frame (S&W later went to an "N" prefix) with that S/N, according to Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 4th revision, it's a 1959-1960 model. If that's true, it could be a -1 model (Never say anything about S&W for sure). A -1, while not really "rare" are at least "seldom seen" shall we say.

Also is the nickel factory? Factory nickle gun will (generally) have a letter "N" stamped on the butt, under the stocks. Also the hammer and trigger will NOT be nickle, but are generally case hardened. The ones on this gun look to be nickel, or maybe even stainless steel, which of course would be replacements.

Regardless, I'd say you got your money's worth at $750. It takes a rather ratty looking N-frame anything to bring less than that around here.
 
I think you did well, Maximino Medina.
I would have definitely jumped on that and I do not like Nickel plating.

Enjoy your new revolver.
 
CajunBass said:
Now, I am far from an experts, but I have some observations, and questions.

Target stocks were never numbered to the gun. Those diamond targets are highly sought after. I for one am a real sucker for them. I don't think I've ever seen any for an "N" frame...if I had, I'd have them.

I'm curious about a couple of things. Is it a -2, or a -1? You list the S/N as S 199XXX (no idea what that extra "5" is). If it's an "S" frame (S&W later went to an "N" prefix) with that S/N, according to Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 4th revision, it's a 1959-1960 model. If that's true, it could be a -1 model (Never say anything about S&W for sure). A -1, while not really "rare" are at least "seldom seen" shall we say.

Also is the nickel factory? Factory nickle gun will (generally) have a letter "N" stamped on the butt, under the stocks. Also the hammer and trigger will NOT be nickle, but are generally case hardened. The ones on this gun look to be nickel, or maybe even stainless steel, which of course would be replacements.

Regardless, I'd say you got your money's worth at $750. It takes a rather ratty looking N-frame anything to bring less than that around here.
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Wow did not know that about the trigger and hammer. The more you know! I thought it would be a no dash with the sn. The 5 was referencing the barrel length.
 
No, the "dash" wouldn't be with the S/N. Open the cylinder. Look inside, on the frame where the cylinder hinges away from the frame. There should be a number in there. Something like "Model 27 (-) something. Like 27-2 or whatever.

S&W uses "dash numbers" to indicate an engineering change. They start with a for example "Model 27." Then whenever they make a change for various reasons, they change the dash number. First change -1, second -2, and so on. It could well be a "no dash" in which case it will simply read "Model 27."
 
I agree that you did well. If you are happy with the price, and I assume you are or you wouldn't have bought it, that's what counts. I think the nickel looks pretty good. As others have suggested, a light buffing with Flitz and a coating of Renaissance wax, or any good quality car or floor wax, will really bring out the bling.
 
Maximino Medina said:
The nickel seems to be slightly coming off in small places. How do you combat that?
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All you can do is avoid getting any sort of copper solvent on it as that will also cause nickel to flake off. Otherwise, keep it clean, dry, and polished- thats it with nickel. No way to really touch it up as with a blued gun. When they get bad enough you can send them off to be replated, but a good nickel job can be pricey.
 
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