Grail Gun Gotten!

[Gladius]

I shouldn't visit gun shops, as they tend to be dangerous -- to my wallet. The other day, I just happened to chance by a gun shop (okay, maybe it wasn't completely chance).While perusing the wares, I happened to spy a gun in the used gun cabinet, and my eyes boggled. It was one of my "Holy Grail" must haves. I thought there was no way I could afford it. Then I saw the price and my eyes boggled again -- I COULD afford it. It would hurt, but would be worth it. What did I walk out with that day? A Smith & Wesson "Pre-27" with a 3.5 inch barrel. It is mechanically tight with crisp rifling. So, why was it so affordable? It had been reblued, which kills most of the collector value. Oh well. The new bluing is serviceable, but not as nice as classic old S&W blue. It's a shootable classic old cop gun. Maybe one day I will have it restored. In the meantime, I'll be looking for new grips, as I don't feel the magnum grips it currently sports are appropriate for it.

 

[Iggy]

Very nice. I'm bettin' that re-bluing job don't change the way it shoots a bit. You will no doubt enjoy that rascal.
View attachment 780426 View attachment 780429
I have a couple myself. Can be carried concealed if need be and will reach out and smack what your shooting at to all reasonable handgun distances.

 

[FL-NC]

Nice piece! I think you should keep it as-is- those are the grips that go with that beast. I'm still hoping to find my grail gun- ANY python that won't cost me an arm, a leg, and a wife.

 

[bikerdoc]

You did good!

 

[Iggy]

A pre-27 would have either diamond magnas or targets. The grips on your gun are a little bit later. Again, I'll bet they don't change the point of aim by much.

 

[Hondo 60]

Wow, congrats!!!

 

[entropy]

A nice shooter. Good find!

 

[Armored farmer]

I shouldn't visit gun shops, as they tend to be dangerous -- to my wallet. The other day, I just happened to chance by a gun shop (okay, maybe it wasn't completely chance).While perusing the wares, I happened to spy a gun in the used gun cabinet, and my eyes boggled. It was one of my "Holy Grail" must haves. I thought there was no way I could afford it. Then I saw the price and my eyes boggled again -- I COULD afford it. It would hurt, but would be worth it. What did I walk out with that day? A Smith & Wesson "Pre-27" with a 3.5 inch barrel. It is mechanically tight with crisp rifling. So, why was it so affordable? It had been reblued, which kills most of the collector value. Oh well. The new bluing is serviceable, but not as nice as classic old S&W blue. It's a shootable classic old cop gun. Maybe one day I will have it restored. In the meantime, I'll be looking for new grips, as I don't feel the magnum grips it currently sports are appropriate for it.View attachment 780424 View attachment 780425

Congrats!
Like you, my grail gun came to me by surprise.
My aunt came to my house carrying it in a sock. When her husband died, it had accidentally been left on her garage floor in a cardboard box for years.
The folks at Colt saved it for me.

So mine has been reblued also. There is some pitting still visible in the flutes of the cylinder. The way i see it, we got our grail guns, and they're shooters not safe queens. Win/win.

 

[bannockburn]

Gladius

Congrats on finding your Grail Gun! I have seen one Pre-Model 27 with a 3.5" barrel which also had replacement grips and it was still priced way out of my league. Maybe have it reblued some day at your leisure. For now use it and enjoy!

 

[CajunBass]

Nice 27. I don't care what collectors think, I'd buy one like that in a heartbeat.

Personally, I like the targets on those guns. I'd leave them myself.

 

[muzzleblast...]

I came across a 3-1/2" M-27-2 at a gunshow a few of years ago. It looked far worse than yours. But, the price was attractive, so it came home with me. My ugliest S&W by far. It actually gets used much more than the prettier ones. I agree that magna grips look better than target grips on the short barreled M-27.

 

[Waveski]

Have fun with a great shooter. Me , I'd keep the grips. The gun is not original and those are good looking , functional grips.

 

[Jonesy814]

Great find! A 3.5 inch M27 is high on my list of guns I would like to own. I would definitely take a reblue if it made the gun affordable. I also think it looks good with the target stocks on it

 

[Iggy]

View attachment 780488

I can live with targets on 27s even short ones.

View attachment 780490
This one works pretty good for Marryin's and Buryin's and BBQs.

 

[Gladius]

I may keep the current grips, besides, I have some other guns I can use them on. I am beginning to consider ivory polymer grips, or maybe stag. Right now I'm leaning toward ivory polymer, just to make it look more like Patton's .357.

 

[Iggy]

http://grashornsgunworks.com/
You might want to take a gander at Grashorns for something different.


http://grashornsgunworks.com/

 

[bannockburn]

Iggy

Nice guns and grips!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Gladius...nice looking 3.5" pre 27 you found!

I've thought about sending this 1954 one to Fords for refinishing but can't bring myself to do it. Like it fine worn as it is.

 

[Iggy]

C&L
I wouldn't touch that one.. It no doubt earned that wear doin' what it was called upon.. You will erase it's story if you refinish it.

You will take a $700 gun, spend $300 to refinish it, and wind up with a $500 gun that's too pretty to shoot.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

You’re right Iggy. That’s why it still looks as pictured.

Factory letter shows it shipped to Chicago Sports in 1954. I forget the day/month without looking.

 

[tark]

C&L
I wouldn't touch that one.. It no doubt earned that wear doin' what it was called upon.. You will erase it's story if you refinish it.

You will take a $700 gun, spend $300 to refinish it, and wind up with a $500 gun that's too pretty to shoot.

Sadly, this happens all too often. Re-finishing a classic firearm almost always degrades it's value. Even a professional refurbishment, as done by Turnbull, will still leave one with a gun worth less than the cost of the restoration. In most cases.

It is the same when restoring classic cars. The cost of the restoration is usually more than the finished product is worth.

 

[Charlie98]

I like the looks of the Magnas on a short-barreled N-frame, but I sure don't shoot them with it...

Nice score!

 

[ThomasT]

Nice. If you decide to sell those grips send me a PM. I have an unfired 4" model 28 I would like to put them on.

My grail gun was a model 631 32 mag. I finally found one for $675 without the original grips. I have only taken it on one range trip since I bought it. I just like my two Ruger single six 32 mags better.

 

[bikemutt]

Congrats Gladious, grail gun finds are always a moment of truth.

I remember like it was yesterday when I found an unfired 27-2 5", or, THE Sig X5 German made model I had in mind, I wasn't leaving the store without it, come hell or high water.

I'm very happy you found one of yours!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Congrats Gladious, grail gun finds are always a moment of truth.

I remember like it was yesterday when I found an unfired 27-2 5", or, THE Sig X5 German made model I had in mind, I wasn't leaving the store without it, come hell or high water.

I'm very happy you found one of yours!

Mine's a vintage 6 shot .357 Redhawk 7.5". I actually keep a trade or two in the trunk in case I stumble upon one!