pre model 27 smith & wesson .357 magnum

rosminc · April 23, 2014, 04:33 AM

hey guys i just picked up a real beauty and was wondering if anyone could help me find out the value of it

smith & wesson .357 magnum pre model 27 w/3.5 inch barrel
serial #124xxx according to s&w customer service it is from late 1954
appears to be in almost new condition the blueing is perfect and has not been refinished. the bore is also in great shape it looks like it has never been fired.
it has the original numbered grips on it with no wear.
i do not have the box or the papers on it.
any help finding a value would be greatly appreviated.
thank you.

Will try to post some pictures later today

SaxonPig · April 23, 2014, 12:31 PM

You just "picked it up" and you want to know the value? What did you pay for it? It's worth what you paid.

Not good enough? Well, the 3.5" is the sexy one everybody wants. Demand is very high. In the nearly new condition you describe I would ask $1,200 for it if I were selling it. Understand you ask 10 guys the value and you will get at least eight different answers. Value can vary wildly based on numerous factors.

I assume the serial has a letter S prefix? Then 1954 sounds about right. I have a couple in the S140xxx-S143xxx range that are lettered to mid 1955. But bear in mind S&Ws were not necessarily shipped in numerical order. Some set in inventory for a long time before being sent out.

This one is S138621 which sounds like early 1955 but actually shipped March of 1957.

MrBorland · April 23, 2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaxonPig

Well, the 3.5" is the sexy one everybody wants.

Indeed. I'm not much of a collector, and a 3.5" M27 is my grail gun. I was thinking in the $1,200 to $1,500 range for a nice one.

Bart Noir · April 23, 2014, 01:51 PM

I recently was happy to pay $600 for one of those, which had been rather poorly reblued. The metal and screw-heads etc are in great shape but that cold blue is not so good.

Especially once I took the grips off. Oh, my eyes!

In a few days I will be handing it to some wizards of Cerakote, if we agree on a price I can afford.

What a shooter! And the chambers are so polished the fired .357 cases just fall out when I raise the muzzle. This was one of my dream guns and since it has much less collector value, I can customize with no guilt.

Bart Noir
Who thinks it ought to be a felony to apply cold blue over S&W's case hardened trigger and hammer finish.

Jim Watson · April 23, 2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

In a few days I will be handing it to some wizards of Cerakote

Bart Noir
Who thinks it ought to be a felony to apply cold blue over S&W's case hardened trigger and hammer finish.

By that standard, painting a good revolver should be a capital offense.

DPris · April 23, 2014, 02:08 PM

Think I paid $1200-$1300 for a factory-refinished '51/'52 6-inch pre-27 about three years ago.

Magnificently re-done by S&W.
Value depends just as much on what you don't mind paying for something you want as on what anybody else says the gun's worth.

I've never bought as an investment.
I buy as a "want" or a "need".

Denis

Deaf Smith · April 23, 2014, 02:47 PM

Well mine is a 27-2, 3 1/2 inch. Excellent condition with great bluing, target trigger and hammer. $800, flat.

and it goes well with my Lew Horten 24 in .44 spl.

Deaf

SaxonPig · April 23, 2014, 05:30 PM

With Smiths, all things being equal older will bring more. A 1954 pre-model will sell for more than will a 27-2 of equal condition. I paid $275 for the one pictured above, but it is more like an 80% gun rather than nearly new. Also, it was 15 years ago.

40-82 · April 23, 2014, 05:44 PM

"By that standard, painting a revolver should be a capital offense."--You mean its not?

I've been shooting a 27-2 since the early 70's when it was new. The older ones are even better.

rosminc · April 23, 2014, 05:49 PM

Thanks everyone for all of the info. I found this at a pawn shop and they wanted 750.00 for it and I came back the next day and offered 500.00 out the door and they agreed I do believe that I got a very sweet deal.

Deaf Smith · April 23, 2014, 06:00 PM

Yes.. you got an OUTSTANDING DEAL.

Congratulations and let us know how it shoots!

Deaf

rosminc · April 23, 2014, 06:26 PM

i will post an update after i go to the range which i hope to do very soon.

rosminc · April 23, 2014, 06:34 PM

WIN_20140224_201854.JPG

rosminc · April 23, 2014, 06:36 PM

sorry for the poor pic its the only one i have and it not good looks much better than pic. the bluing is not worn that is light shadows

FoghornLeghorn · April 23, 2014, 08:55 PM

My 27s. The one on the right is a five screw, in really great shape for its age. The others are 27-2s. One is a 3 1/2 inch barrel with stag grips. The other is a 5 inch barrel with football grips. I'm looking for one with a four inch barrel and one with a 8 or 8 3/8 barrel.

I accept gifts.

SaxonPig · April 23, 2014, 10:00 PM

At $500 you pretty much stole it. I'm shocked they came down that much.

Elerius · April 26, 2014, 11:21 AM

I would have bought that in less then a second for $500. I really love the 3.5 ones, but I'm already getting a 3 inch model 24 which has almost the same exact look, so my 27 will be the 5 inch and I'm sure I won't be so lucky to get a beautiful -2 or earlier for any less then $800

Joe_Pike · April 26, 2014, 07:01 PM

It's truly amazing that the shop knocked of more than 1/3 of the price. If that would have been in the pawn shop I'm at for $750 (which it wouldn't have been), then bottom dollar would maybe have been $700 + tax. Either they paid some poor soul $100 dollars for it or they should think about getting into another business that they better understand. Anyway, you got a great deal. Everybody needs one of those deals in their life.

Jdomin · April 27, 2014, 04:15 PM

you stole that s&w @ 500! good for you.

rosminc · April 28, 2014, 07:18 AM

I agree with you that I stole it for 500. The funny thing is it is a pawn shop that reminds you of the tv show pawn stars there is a old man (grandfather) a Rick (the son) and a Cory (the grandson). I was dealing with the son and the old man came over and told the son that that was too much for the gun and that he would accept my 500 offer I did not hesitate to buy it at that point.

The Shadow · April 28, 2014, 03:05 PM

rosminc .... from past experience, it seems that the "rule of thumb" for most pawn shops and gun stores is to accept offers that double their initial investment. So in this case, I'm thinking they "stole it" for around $200. bucks.

You did great. That's a very desirable piece. We need better pics !

pittspilot · April 28, 2014, 11:30 PM

Steal. I would not have countered the $750.00 price. The day I find a mint pre27 in a 3.5 inch barrel fir under $1k is the day that gun goes home with me.

mog · August 31, 2014, 12:41 AM

Not only are they beautiful, but as Colt Pythons 'disappear' from the market, S&W's become a VERY attractive option. And unlike Pythons, should you want to shoot it, you can actually get most parts for them!

I recently sold my 4" and 6" Pythons for about 350% more than I paid for them and have recently purchased a 3.5" 27-2 in 99% with tools! papers & presentation box for around $1550 and am thrilled to find one in such excellent condition. Also bought a NIB 6" model 15, a 95% Mod 17 with full under lug, and an early 686 matte stainless snub by. no more Colts for me...

April 23, 2014, 01:51 PM	#4
Bart Noir Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2000 Location: Puget Sound, USA Posts: 2,215	I recently was happy to pay $600 for one of those, which had been rather poorly reblued. The metal and screw-heads etc are in great shape but that cold blue is not so good. Especially once I took the grips off. Oh, my eyes! In a few days I will be handing it to some wizards of Cerakote, if we agree on a price I can afford. What a shooter! And the chambers are so polished the fired .357 cases just fall out when I raise the muzzle. This was one of my dream guns and since it has much less collector value, I can customize with no guilt. Bart Noir Who thinks it ought to be a felony to apply cold blue over S&W's case hardened trigger and hammer finish. __________________ Be of good cheer and mindful of your gun muzzle!

April 23, 2014, 06:00 PM	#11
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Yes.. you got an OUTSTANDING DEAL. Congratulations and let us know how it shoots! Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

April 26, 2014, 07:01 PM	#18
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	It's truly amazing that the shop knocked of more than 1/3 of the price. If that would have been in the pawn shop I'm at for $750 (which it wouldn't have been), then bottom dollar would maybe have been $700 + tax. Either they paid some poor soul $100 dollars for it or they should think about getting into another business that they better understand. Anyway, you got a great deal. Everybody needs one of those deals in their life. __________________ Stay Groovy

April 27, 2014, 04:15 PM	#19
Jdomin Member Join Date: July 29, 2005 Location: Lancaster, Pa Posts: 93	pre 27 3.5 you stole that s&w @ 500! good for you.

April 28, 2014, 11:30 PM	#22
pittspilot Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2000 Location: The Freedom of AZ Posts: 289	Steal. I would not have countered the $750.00 price. The day I find a mint pre27 in a 3.5 inch barrel fir under $1k is the day that gun goes home with me. __________________ "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities...Because it is the quality that guarantees all others" Winston S. Churchill "The American Republic is finished when the Congress realizes that it can bribe the people with the peoples money" De Touqueville

April 23, 2014, 04:33 AM	#1
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	pre model 27 smith & wesson .357 magnum hey guys i just picked up a real beauty and was wondering if anyone could help me find out the value of it smith & wesson .357 magnum pre model 27 w/3.5 inch barrel serial #124xxx according to s&w customer service it is from late 1954 appears to be in almost new condition the blueing is perfect and has not been refinished. the bore is also in great shape it looks like it has never been fired. it has the original numbered grips on it with no wear. i do not have the box or the papers on it. any help finding a value would be greatly appreviated. thank you. Will try to post some pictures later today

April 23, 2014, 12:31 PM	#2
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	You just "picked it up" and you want to know the value? What did you pay for it? It's worth what you paid. Not good enough? Well, the 3.5" is the sexy one everybody wants. Demand is very high. In the nearly new condition you describe I would ask $1,200 for it if I were selling it. Understand you ask 10 guys the value and you will get at least eight different answers. Value can vary wildly based on numerous factors. I assume the serial has a letter S prefix? Then 1954 sounds about right. I have a couple in the S140xxx-S143xxx range that are lettered to mid 1955. But bear in mind S&Ws were not necessarily shipped in numerical order. Some set in inventory for a long time before being sent out. This one is S138621 which sounds like early 1955 but actually shipped March of 1957.

April 23, 2014, 02:08 PM	#6
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Think I paid $1200-$1300 for a factory-refinished '51/'52 6-inch pre-27 about three years ago. Magnificently re-done by S&W. Value depends just as much on what you don't mind paying for something you want as on what anybody else says the gun's worth. I've never bought as an investment. I buy as a "want" or a "need". Denis

April 23, 2014, 05:30 PM	#8
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	With Smiths, all things being equal older will bring more. A 1954 pre-model will sell for more than will a 27-2 of equal condition. I paid $275 for the one pictured above, but it is more like an 80% gun rather than nearly new. Also, it was 15 years ago.

April 23, 2014, 05:44 PM	#9
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	"By that standard, painting a revolver should be a capital offense."--You mean its not? I've been shooting a 27-2 since the early 70's when it was new. The older ones are even better.

April 23, 2014, 05:49 PM	#10
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	Thanks everyone for all of the info. I found this at a pawn shop and they wanted 750.00 for it and I came back the next day and offered 500.00 out the door and they agreed I do believe that I got a very sweet deal.

April 23, 2014, 06:26 PM	#12
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	i will post an update after i go to the range which i hope to do very soon.

April 23, 2014, 06:34 PM	#13
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	WIN_20140224_201854.JPG

April 23, 2014, 06:36 PM	#14
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	sorry for the poor pic its the only one i have and it not good looks much better than pic. the bluing is not worn that is light shadows

April 23, 2014, 08:55 PM	#15
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	My 27s. The one on the right is a five screw, in really great shape for its age. The others are 27-2s. One is a 3 1/2 inch barrel with stag grips. The other is a 5 inch barrel with football grips. I'm looking for one with a four inch barrel and one with a 8 or 8 3/8 barrel. I accept gifts.

April 23, 2014, 10:00 PM	#16
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	At $500 you pretty much stole it. I'm shocked they came down that much.

April 26, 2014, 11:21 AM	#17
Elerius Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 365	I would have bought that in less then a second for $500. I really love the 3.5 ones, but I'm already getting a 3 inch model 24 which has almost the same exact look, so my 27 will be the 5 inch and I'm sure I won't be so lucky to get a beautiful -2 or earlier for any less then $800

April 28, 2014, 07:18 AM	#20
rosminc Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Posts: 8	I agree with you that I stole it for 500. The funny thing is it is a pawn shop that reminds you of the tv show pawn stars there is a old man (grandfather) a Rick (the son) and a Cory (the grandson). I was dealing with the son and the old man came over and told the son that that was too much for the gun and that he would accept my 500 offer I did not hesitate to buy it at that point.

April 28, 2014, 03:05 PM	#21
The Shadow Member Join Date: January 5, 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 83	rosminc .... from past experience, it seems that the "rule of thumb" for most pawn shops and gun stores is to accept offers that double their initial investment. So in this case, I'm thinking they "stole it" for around $200. bucks. You did great. That's a very desirable piece. We need better pics !

August 31, 2014, 12:41 AM	#23
mog Junior Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Posts: 5	check 27-2 prices lately? Not only are they beautiful, but as Colt Pythons 'disappear' from the market, S&W's become a VERY attractive option. And unlike Pythons, should you want to shoot it, you can actually get most parts for them! I recently sold my 4" and 6" Pythons for about 350% more than I paid for them and have recently purchased a 3.5" 27-2 in 99% with tools! papers & presentation box for around $1550 and am thrilled to find one in such excellent condition. Also bought a NIB 6" model 15, a 95% Mod 17 with full under lug, and an early 686 matte stainless snub by. no more Colts for me...