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Posted By: 8updeerhunter S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
Ok all you wheel gun guys. It seems i have a revolver in my collection that is quite desireable. I have a 27-1 with a 3.5" barrel. In casual conversation today i mentioned this gun. I had several guys making offers that blew my mind. Are these thing really rare or are these guys jerkin my chain. I had a couple folks claiming it was worth $1,000+. They were asking several questions about the grips and they seem to be the "right" ones to have. Any comments are appreciated
Posted By: RufusG Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
27s were Smith's Cadillac revolver for a long time, and a lot of folks are partial to the 3.5" barrel. Also, that length was not really available on many on Smiths (if any, I'm not sure). Depending on the condition, timeframe, box and accessories, etc., over $1K does not seem out of the question but I don't follow 27s that closely.
Posted By: tex_n_cal Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
It was a popular length, but not so much as the 5" guns. I wanted a 5" M27 (or 5-screw pre-27) and finally did get one last year. It has some finish wear, but is tight and shoots very well. A mint model would have been $1100-$1200 on most auction sites.
Posted By: ken458 Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
The 27 in a dash 1 version is rare, and everyone seems nuts about the 3.5" barrels, so yes, you have a rare bird on your hands that is easily worth over $1k if its in good condition. Don't bother looking at the Blue Book on this one, as these 3.5" 27s have a cult following, and the fact that its a dash 1 makes it all the more desirable to a certified S&W nut (of which I'm one!) wink
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
Ask Generalstuart, he is sort of the resident guru on all things S&W. I agree with what others have said about the 3.5" and 5" 27s being very collectable. A 4" 27 will typically be worth a couple $100 less than either a 3.5" or 5" in like condition.

Jeff
Posted By: ken458 Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
Originally Posted by 260Remguy
Ask Generalstuart, he is sort of the resident guru on all things S&W. I agree with what others have said about the 3.5" and 5" 27s being very collectable. A 4" 27 will typically be worth a couple $100 less than either a 3.5" or 5" in like condition.

Jeff

While I tend to agree with that statement, the 4" 27 is really rare; that is, the pinned & recessed 27 4". Only made from 1979-1981 in a -2 configuration. The 3.5" and 5" were discontinued in 1979, but had been made for over 30 years in those barrel lengths. In those 3 short years, S&W made alot of -2 4", but still no where near as many as the 3.5" and 5". (Note: I am only talking about pre-82 P&R'd guns, which are much prefered to an S&W collector than the later non-P&R'd guns).
Posted By: rifle Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
The 3.5 was rather popular with General Patton as well!
total cool guns...
Posted By: 8updeerhunter Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
Thanks guys for all the help so far.
Posted By: RJM Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/01/12
...here is a nice -2 3.5" that is already over a grand...

http://nextorch.com/us/product_detail.php?id=55

The uniqueness of the -1 configuration is the guns were only made for ONE year...1960. 1961 started the -2.

The -1 meant that the ejector rod thread was reversed. -2 eliminated the 4th frame screw in front of the triggerguard and the cylinder stop was also changed as a result.... A very rare 3.5 indeed...

Bob
Posted By: 8updeerhunter Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/02/12
Ok guys i have another one to throw in. I was wrong. Upon closer inspection its a 27-2. I have fallen back in love with this thing and i wont be selling it either way. But, i wanted to get some hogues to put on it and preserve the wood. I accidentally bought K/L frame hogue monos. I decided to try them on my WWII victory model. The fit ok but didnt line up perfectly. Upon a closer look i thought my victory and 27-2 looked real close in the grip. Sure enough the supposedly K/L frame hoge monos fit the 27-2 PERFECTLY. How is it that the darn things fit an N frame? Are the N frame 357's different than the N frame 44's. Im lost here..my victory model and 27-2 actually swap grips. Im very positive i have a victory and a 27-2..what the heck. Im about to try the grips off my x frame 500...help please
Posted By: Oregon45 Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/02/12
I paid $599 locally for my S&W M27-2 3.5" in pretty nice condition; they go for more online as they have a real following, as well they should, as they're very nice revolvers.
Posted By: RufusG Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/02/12
Originally Posted by 8updeerhunter
Are the N frame 357's different than the N frame 44's.


Shouldn't be. Maybe you actually bought N frame Hogues, since they don't fit the K but seem to fit the N?
Posted By: RJM Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/02/12
If they don't like up correctly on your .38 special Victory Model and they are perfect on the 27-2 then you either may have mis-marked grips... I have Hogues for Ns but no Ks I can not try it.

The 500 grips should fit your 27-2 but they are a Round Butt and may wiggle a little as there will be some dead space not filled in by the frame...

Too bad it was not a -1...you would have had an extra grand in your pocket....

Bob
Posted By: 8updeerhunter Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/04/12
I determined that the Hogue mono grips i bought were packaged wrong from hogue. They were n frame grips in a k/l frame box. I appreciate all the help. I still dont think i can sell it. I have re kindled the fire for it after i started handling it. They just never made another gun as neat as these are. Wish it were a -1 but hey, its easier to hang onto it knowing its not worth as much. Thanks again guys.
Posted By: tex_n_cal Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/04/12
I'm eventually going to have Herrett's custom make a set for the 5 screw .357; preferably in figured walnut smile
Posted By: Bushwacker Re: S&W 27-1 3.5' - 02/04/12
I got lucky and ran across a -1 3 1/2 and later a -2 3 1/2 to make a good looking pair. They are a nice feeling and shooting gun. I picked both up for $650 a piece, though the -1 was several years ago and from a private seller. At the time he was tickled pink and so was I. This year I qualified on the State Police Test against a bunch of my students with it and shot a perfect score. Except for the speed reload section I was done firing before they were with their Glocks. It opened their eyes a little to the abilities of a revolver in the hands of someone that knows how to use it. Most of these guys had never fired a revolver until that day. Once they shot it, they loved it.
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