S&W Model 27 - context?

See if a letter "N" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

In any case, nickle plate was an optional finish from the factory. If you get it lettered by Roy Jinks at S&W the finish would be confirmed.

The "27" was the model number for the original Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum that was introduced in 1935. It was, and remained as long as it was produced, the flagship of Smith & Wesson's line - much in the same way as the Python at Colt. Lots of extra handwork on the lockwork, and the rib and topstrap are checkered, not serrated or sand-blasted. Since it is built on the .44 size N frame it will handle any reasonable .357 Magnum load.

The Model 28 is the same, but without the delux finish and extra handwork. The model 19 is a .357 that was built on the smaller K frame. Finishing wasn't quite so deluxe as the '27.

Considering all of the negatives in this post I presume you'll accept my generous off of $50.00 to take it off your hands...

I bid $51 dont get taken by old fuff
Nickle was semi rare. Ive only seen 2.

Many people say the 28 is the same blah blah blah. No its not. As he stated alot of hand detail went into the 27 that the 28 never got. The only aspect that they are the same is that they are N frame 357's.

Heres a shot of mine

You go away!!!! I saw him first...

I'll give you $100 and pay the shipping!

like others have said, the Model 27 was the flagship of the S&W line. It's an N frame revolver which will last almost forever digesting full power .357 magnum loads. A 4" factory nickel specimen is a great find, and I would offer you $101.00 for it if you ever want to part with it and dinner?

I passed on a 5" 27-2 w/ box and papers a few years back for a mere $500 that I still think about...

Model 27

Oh I've got one of those old things....

Mine has a nice smooth trigger, not too light but takes very little pressure to make it go boom. Don't listen to those other guys, they're just tryin to rip you off. I'll give a hunderd for it.

Seems while I was typin, somebody tried to crowd me out. I'll bid 125.00

Sir Hawk, the 27 is and always was the top-of-the-Line for Smith, and what ALL other revolvers wished to be - they were given more time, polish, finish, fitting, and testing than any other model, and it showed, not only in looks, but SMOOOOOOOTH performance ! as far as strength, if is plenty tuff enuff for the overloaded .44 magnums we all shot, and has even thicker walls being in .357.....it'll take anything you feed it.
I am lucky enough to have the shortest and the longest, and love 'em (3 1/2 inch & 8 3/8 inch)......just wait until you stick a .38 mid-range wadcutter in one and shoot it single-action.....you will think the trigger was disconnected it will be so smooth.
enjoy

I'll go $200. plus I'll throw in a nice S&W baseball cap

Hawk:

Wait... What'd I say that was negative?

Click to expand...

You didn't say anything. I was tryin to point out how sort of worthless it was so that my $50.00 offer would be atractive. Then all of these other jerks horned in and outbid me. What is a Poor Fuff too do???

On most 27's the double-action is good, but the single-action pull is outstanding. They presumed that most owners would shoot it that way.

Now to up my offer... I have this .32 top-break Iver Johnson, full nickel plate with genuine pearl stocks.....

Old Fuff, and the rest are trying to get over on you. I bid $250.00
Those old guns are junk and you're better off without it. I'll give it a good home because I have a soft heart.

You may have $250.00, but you don't have a .32 top-break, nickel plated Iver Johnson with genuine pearl stocks....

Hawk, I have recently opened up a home for old P&R S&W revolvers I find it hard to turn any away from my door. I have a 6" blue model 27 and a 4" model 28 that cry themselves to bed everynight...they NEED another sibling to really make them feel like a family If you can find it in your heart to give your model 27 up for adoption I will forward you my address

That looks like an ultra-undesireable 5" barrel!!!

I hope that Hawk doesn't know the the 5" length is scarce, and almost never seen in nickel plate. It would be even worse if someone told him that both shooters and collectors will pay extra to get one.

Now the rest of you guys keep quiet while I go to work. He's playing had to get, but I know he's in a panic to get that pearl handled, top break .32....

I just got back to this... what is the current high bid?

Hawk:

With that ultra-undesireable 5" barrel, in nickel plate yet, you aren't safe from anybody...

Especially the Old Fuff...

I love the 27 and its variants. My favorite revolver, bar none. The 5" is my favorite variety but the 3.5" guns are ones that are super popular and bring the most money these days.

The 27 was born in 1935 when S&W introduced the .357 Magnum cartridge in the target quality N frame they called The 357 Magnum. Modern collectors refer to these as Registered Magnums because each came with a certificate with the owner's name and the frames were stamped with a separate registration number.

After 3-4 years they dropped the registration and eliminated the gazillion barrel and sight options settling on the more standard lengths. Collectors call these Pre-War Magnums.

The gun came back after the war as (you guessed it) The Post-War Magnum. In 1957 it was given the Model 27 designation.

The 27-1 was made 1960-62. The 27-2 is the most common and was made 1962-81.

Granddad (1938 Registered Magnum):





Pop (1956 Post-War Magnum):





Uncle Ned (1960 Mod 27):





Cousin Elmer (1968 27-2):





The RM through the various 27s were the top of the S&W line, but as much as I love them the Python was more deluxe. Some will argue but IMO the Colt was more finely finished.

WAIT, are you saying that the 5" factory nickel model 27 ISN'T collectable?

shoot it yes, but it is definitely rare/collectable

Beautiful guns!

Ken

You guys have teased the poor boy enough to make him think he's got a beater gun that's truley worth a hunerd or 2.
Far from the truth Hawk.
There's a lot of people that feel the model 27 is the finest of the 357's.
There will always be the debate as to the fact of the Python or 27 being best. It surely is/was Smith & Wessons finest 357.
27's have been climbing the ladder price wise because there are more and more people realizing this and wanting to put a nice example in their collections. Plus the fact they have not been made in years and will never be made with-out the goofy lock.
Good luck with yours.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

3.5" vintage 1950