Rare N Frame Smith & Wesson...
- Thread starter gizamo
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gorgeous. 
Shear_stress
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Wow. Pretty much the pinnacle of revolver design right there.
Saw the same gun (although not quite as nice) in a local pawn shop about 8 years ago. A 3.5" 27-1 with smooth Targets priced at $350 and the clerk said the owner would dicker on price. Thought hard but already had three 3.5s (none were -1s, though) and walked away. Went back 30 minutes later. Too late.
One of the few I kick myself over.
One of the few I kick myself over.
Landpimp
Member
very very nice, the 3.5" has eluded me
SharpsDressedMan
member
Interesting question. I would think there are just as many 3.5 inch guns as most other barrel lengths, as it was quite often the one chosen by cops who carried a Model 27.
It's the rarest, and I don't think THAT many cops carried the 3.5" 27. While some LE agencies bought them, it was usually in small numbers from the few agencies I've seen mentioned who actually purchased them institutionally and issued them. Also, these were usually before the mid '50s when the 19 and 28 became available. While the FBI approved the gun, it wasn't issued to every agent and lots of other guns were widely available. Even if one as an officer definitely wanted to carry the .357, by the mid-50s several other .357 guns were available and were substantially cheaper - substantially cheaper. Except for the very few agents who'd want to carry the 3.5" concealed, it just wasn't a logical or cost effective choice for carry for LE officers.
Keep in mind there's been nothing short of a revolution in consumer choices and tastes about barrel length in the last 20 to 25 years. If the same barrel lengths as were offered on the 27 from 1950 to 1980 were available today (3.5", 5", 6.5", and 8 3/8"), I'm certain the 3.5" would be the most common. But in the days before wide-spread civilian CC, that length was just not that popular. And for a working man, a 4" 28 for 2/3 the cost was a better choice.
It's not to say they weren't made in reasonable numbers, just that they are proportionally rarer. In this internet age, if you go look on Gunbroker or similar, you will find a few to choose from at about any time if you are willing to pay the ask.
Very nice! This revolver is rare "because" it is a -1 with a 3 1/2 barrel. Everyone .....me included; want's a S&W M27 with the 3 1/2 in. barrel. Popularity can make a gun rare as much as numbers made. The 4" & 5" & 6 1/2" M27's can be hard to find in certain - changes also.
Nobody knows for sure, but it seems the 6" is the most common 27 barrel length with the 3/5 and 5" being close to one another in popularity for 2nd.
The -1 was only made for a year or so and is rarely seen. As a shooter it mean little to me to have one but a serious collector would find it desirable.
The -1 was only made for a year or so and is rarely seen. As a shooter it mean little to me to have one but a serious collector would find it desirable.
krs
Member
Big ol' N frame is a good way to shoot .357 magnum - all the flame, not so much recoil.
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jfh
Member.
I inheirited a "Pre-27" with the 3.5" barrel--LN condition. It also has, IIRC, "Sanderson" grips.
I looked for a picture of it last night--couldn't find it. I posted a query about it about twenty months ago on the S&W forums and got filled in on it.
At any rate, I'll add a picture to this post shortly....
[/IMG]
added on edit: picture--
I did no real enhancing to a quick-'n-dirty shot--just a "smartfix" in PSE 5.0. On this monitor, the colors are accurate: the finish is almost a charcoal black.
Jim H.
I looked for a picture of it last night--couldn't find it. I posted a query about it about twenty months ago on the S&W forums and got filled in on it.
At any rate, I'll add a picture to this post shortly....
added on edit: picture--
I did no real enhancing to a quick-'n-dirty shot--just a "smartfix" in PSE 5.0. On this monitor, the colors are accurate: the finish is almost a charcoal black.
Jim H.
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SharpsDressedMan
member
Are we just considering the -1, or does any 3.5" Model 27 qualify for consideration? Aside pure collecting, if one is going to shoot these guns, is there any reason to hold any variation in the progression of manufucature over another, as long as they are all 3.5" guns? Over the years, I have seen plenty of 3.5" guns here in Ohio, but they were usually dumped by cops for Model 19's in either 2.5" or 4", as those guns were lighter and handier to carry. I have also heard that the heavy cylinders of the N-frame .357's tended to wear at the cylinder notch more, as they induce more momentum and stress at the bolt/notch when cycled fast on DA. The early 27's were pretty guns, for sure, but did not meed the needs of the majority of shooters. Price, weight, and bulk made a lot of people choose other guns.
I try not to remember this kind of stuff but this thread forces me to. Over the years I have owned 2 of these. One was pretty well used and I shot it a good bit before trading it on something else (don't remember what now). Not too many years ago I found another that was cleaner, although not as nice as the one pictured, and bought it just because (smile). Never shot a round through it as I have another round butt, 3.5" M27 set up as a shooter. Eventually decided I'm more of a shooter than collector so sold the -1.
These pre 27 Smiths join too long a list of gun I sometimes wish I still had. Then again, they must not have been favorites at the time or I wouldn't have traded or sold them. Thanks for the look at your fine Smith.
Dave
These pre 27 Smiths join too long a list of gun I sometimes wish I still had. Then again, they must not have been favorites at the time or I wouldn't have traded or sold them. Thanks for the look at your fine Smith.
Dave
Deanimator
Member
I bought a 3.5" 27-2 from a club member and loved it so much, I bought a 6" to go with it.
tipoc
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In general 3.5" guns were not all that commom and were and are far outnumbered by the 4" and 6" 27s which were more popular. The 3.5s and 5" guns could be ordered of course but most of the off the shelf guns were the 4 and 6" variety which were more popular because they were standard production length barrels. The 3.5" became desireable to collectors due to it's rarity.
tipoc
tipoc
00Buckshot
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Lotta hooey goin' on in this thread-
Actually 3.5", 5", 6.5" & 8.375" were the STANDARD barrel lengths for the M27 from the intro of the Registered Magnum in 1935 until 1979 when the 3.5" & 5" lengths were replaced in the catalog by 4" & 6" until the original M27 was discontinued in 1994. The 3.5" M27 is one of my all-time favorites (I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of a 1955 3.5" Nickel pre-27 myself), but they're not rarer than the 4" guns, just older.
However- 27-1s were only made one year, so you've got a goody & she's a beauty!
Actually 3.5", 5", 6.5" & 8.375" were the STANDARD barrel lengths for the M27 from the intro of the Registered Magnum in 1935 until 1979 when the 3.5" & 5" lengths were replaced in the catalog by 4" & 6" until the original M27 was discontinued in 1994. The 3.5" M27 is one of my all-time favorites (I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of a 1955 3.5" Nickel pre-27 myself), but they're not rarer than the 4" guns, just older.
However- 27-1s were only made one year, so you've got a goody & she's a beauty!
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Very Nice~!
I have a S&W model 27-2 with 3.5" barrel (from 1977), in UNFIRED
status; with an unturned cylinder~! Its in its original factory wood
presentation case, with warranty card, spec sheet, other doc's,
and tools, Enjoy~!
I have a S&W model 27-2 with 3.5" barrel (from 1977), in UNFIRED
status; with an unturned cylinder~! Its in its original factory wood
presentation case, with warranty card, spec sheet, other doc's,
and tools,
Enjoy~! Well, actually, the 6" was a standard length for all the post-war versions of the Model 27 and pre-model variants. The 6.5" length was also offered from the 1950s until the mid to early 1970s but is much less commonly seen. I really don't know why S&W made two barrels with so little difference. I think the 6.5" looks a little better on the N frame. It's only half an inch but I can see the difference. The 27 with a 6.5" barrel with a ramped front sight is truly a rare thing and I wish I had one.
The 4" barrel was a special order option on the 27 family until 1979 when it replaced the 3.5" as a standard length. I have only seen one pre-1979 M27 with an original 4" barrel (made in 1963).
The 3.5" 357 or M27 isn't rare. This barrel length has always been popular. What makes Gizamo's gun uncommon is the -1 designation. These were only made for a year or so.
The 4" barrel was a special order option on the 27 family until 1979 when it replaced the 3.5" as a standard length. I have only seen one pre-1979 M27 with an original 4" barrel (made in 1963).
The 3.5" 357 or M27 isn't rare. This barrel length has always been popular. What makes Gizamo's gun uncommon is the -1 designation. These were only made for a year or so.
krs
Member
That's right. The one I showed above is a 27-8 - 2007 year Lew Horton 8 shot with the performance center emblem on the left side. I just wanted an 8 shot BLUED S&W, and was able to buy this at a little more than 1/3 of the original Horton price. I don't consider it unique or collectible and I do carry it in a 6" belt holster that also fits my 5" 629 while I'm working my tractor in the vain hope it'll help me if I piss off a cougar or momma bear. I'm quicker with the snubbie than with the .44 and my old M24 3" won't shoot magnum loads. I like it anyway, don't you all?
It's a nice piece but it's a shooter and that's exactly what I wanted it for. Seems to me that's what GUNS are for
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