My dad's S&W that I found (pics).

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Lightsped

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I found this gun in one of our closets about two years ago. Tonight, I was going through the safe inspecting some of the guns and figured I'd get some photos made in hopes of learning more about this piece.

I am not super duper knowledgable on older guns. I can say that the trigger and hammer on this gun are very very smooth. Perhaps the smoothest wheelgun action I have ever tried.... Anything anyone else can tell me about this gun?

Note: the gun is very clean. The pictures make the lent and dust really show up...

dads&wm27.jpg


dads&wm27b.jpg


dads&wm27c.jpg
 
Looks like you have a beautiful S&W model 27 w/ 6.5" barrel in .357 magnum from c. 1972. Square butt with factory target grips.

Great guns built on the S&W "N" or large frame. Will withstand a steady diet of hot .357 loads.
 
Nice 27, standard trigger and hammer, just to give you an idea of appreciation, that gun that was purchased for $145, is now an easy $500. It's a very desirable model, do you still have the box?
 
You Dad bought a very nice revolver. You should be proud to own it, especially because it had a story behind it. Make sure you keep all the papers you show in the picture.
 
Nice gun. It is worth an easy 800-,1200, if the condition is what It looks like in the photos. Also, the paperwork and box if you have it, will ensure you get a price on the high end. It is definitely worth much more than 500 in almost any metropolitan area in the country.
Here in California, a gun like that would go for over 1,000. In the area where I live, it would sell for well over 1,000 within 5 days if put up for consignment. I know plenty of guys in my several gun clubs who would buy that gun with the acutriments you show on sight as a matter of principle and not bat an eye, and with no intention of ever shooting it.
DO NOT SELL IT. It belonged to your father. Keep it.
Congrats on a great piece of history and family heirloom, and on a father who knew what he was doing when it came to buying and preserving a handgun!
 
What a family jewel.:D

One if it were mine under the same circumstances I would not take any amount of money for.

A definite keeper any S&W collector would love to have.;)
 
Lightsped,

The Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition, which is THE S&W collector's reference lists such a piece as $800 in excellent condition (which your gun appears to be from the photos). If you have a box that pushes it up more. Your example isn't quite what I'd call ANIB, but it still looks excellent, and SCSW 3rd list ANIB at $1000. However, it further list "slight premium" for 6.5" barrel. The original manual, original sales receipt, and original S&W ammo flier (even without box) certainly add to the collector market desire.

Of course as you can see from previous posts demand varies by region and can greatly influence market value.

Regardless of all that you have a family heirloom so that makes it priceless. Please do keep it and enjoy it.
 
Nice 27, standard trigger and hammer, just to give you an idea of appreciation, that gun that was purchased for $145, is now an easy $500.
Click to expand...

Thanks to the magic of inflation 145 1972 U.S. dollars equal 715 in 2007 U.S. dollars.
 
Very nice. One of S&W's finest. As others suggested shoot it, enjoy it, and take care of it. A revolver as fine as this one should be kept in the family. If you have kids, you could pass it on to one years from now with all the paperwork you have there and make a family heirloom out of it. Imagine a young man or woman around 25-35 years old getting their dad's gun who got it from his dad. From one generation to another, a tangible bond.
 
now an easy $500
Click to expand...

I'd be happy to send you a $500 check... today.

A like new pinned and recessed 6.5" 27 with great bluing? Ok, I'd be happy to send you a $700 check, and count myself a lucky man at that.

If I were you, this one would never leave my possession. Beautiful revolver.
 
Pinned and recessed S&W revolvers are only increasing in value. You obviously know about when your revolver left the factory, since you have the sales reciept. The Model 27 is the heir to the Registered Magnum, and is considered by many to be Smith & Wesson's modern Mona Lisa. They wore beautifully polished blue or nickel finishes, and came with target triggers and hammers as well as the service lockwork.

The $800 Excellent price in SCS&W 3rd Edition is for a four screw gun. Your Model 27-2 is a three screw, thus it is listed for $500 in Excellent condition. With the box and documents, I would expect it to sell for $600-650 without much of a problem. (My how prices have soared!) Prices do vary from region to region. Do not sell it though.

Here's my two Model 27-2's.
SmithwessonModel27-2Duo.gif
 
Xavier

Those are fantastic looking grips. What kind are they?

I have an old police trade in Model 66 with a four inch barrell which I use as my day to day hunting sidearm. Its still got the original thin police grips and I'd love to put something on it thats more akin to what is in your picture.
 
Oh, I have no plans to sell this or any other gun I own. I have never sold a gun and don't plan to start.

I didn't realize my Model 29 was so well liked around here. I figured it would get a ho hum response since it is over 30 years old, and not something a mall ninja would appreciate....
 
just showin' off

Here are a couple N-frames and a K-frame, I'm a sucker for the 8 3/8"
The 14 is from the early sixties and the blue is just simply black chrome. The 29 is early seventies and the blue is much lighter. Anybody know the difference in bluing methods or salts used???
 
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Stranger Still

The $800 Excellent price in SCS&W 3rd Edition is for a four screw gun. Your Model 27-2 is a three screw, thus it is listed for $500 in Excellent condition.
Click to expand...
Xavier is correct, I did overlook that you have a three screw and not a four screw.

However, using the serial number from the paperwork this gun has some interesting features. Serial number N3267 falls into the range of 1969 to 1972. 1969 was the beginning of the N prefix at Serial No. N1, and Serial No. N100000 is the estimated start number for 1973 production guns.

Now, here's where things get fun. According SCSW 3rd the 27-2 was introduced in 1961 and eliminated the trigger guard screw, thus making the change to the three screw frame, and your gun is consistent with this. SCSW 3rd states 1968 as when the diamond grip was deleted, again your gun is consistent. However, SCSW 3rd states that the 6&1/2" barrel was discontinued in 1967, a full two years before the start of the N Serial No. prefix. It appears that your father special ordered a non cataloged barrel length. It's very likely that S&W filled this order by fitting an extra 6&1/2" barrel they still had on hand from the few years before. Regardless of how the order was filled you have a gun that would be an uncommon barrel length for a four screw, and its undoubtedly a rare factory barrel length for a three screw.

You never know what you'll find when you start researching an older S&W. :D
 
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