I have wanted a Model 27 for as long as I have wanted a revolver. Every example I have found I person up to this point was either extremely rough or pristine and belonged in the hands of a collector. I shoot a lot and wanted one I could lovingly shoot and carry.

I went into a gun store I have never been in and they randomly had taken in a large collection of S&W Revolvers they had just taken in. I checked each one and many were very freckled or just rough. It pained me to see the state some were in. I passed on the ones that had seen better days. The last one I checked was a Model 27-2 that was just amazingly minty compared to the others. All of the others were over priced but this one was at market price. My only concern was if it had been refinished so I checked it over and based on what I could see - it seemed original enough and deep blue enough for me.

This thing really seems to be a shot little(or never) and safe queen 27-2. There was no box to be had but I bought it on the spot. No way in hell am I letting another one slip through my fingers.

The serial makes it built in 1980 based on what I've found on S&W forums.  Seems like based on the build date - the case hardened trigger and hammer are factory. Only thing I wished it has was the red ramp front sight.

Before I go and add a front sight insert and throw this in a holster to give it some honest wear  - just want to triple check I am not ruining a super rare or collectible variant - please correct me if my assessment of " great high end shooter" is incorrect.

27-2 Photo

Nice

Looks good. How can you tell it was refinished?

Tell tale signs of refinish will be most evident on the side of the gun you didn’t show- the side plate side. Dishing out of the screw holes, hazy trade mark logo and a seam gap on the side plate are what you want to look for.

A 4" p&r 27 is fairly rare.
I personally would try to live with some orange fingernail polish front sight first before swapping the front sight

Nice revolver OP. I had a similar experience with finding a 3.5" pre-27. Mine had already been refinished once, been red ramped, and left for dead.

I had her refinished and worked over by somebody competent. Good shooter and presents nicely but, never going to be a collector piece.

Enjoy your new Smith

She sure is purdy. Congrats on the find. Very classy revolver.

Very nice!  Beautiful pistol.

I second this. Degrease the front sight, put a cot or two of white, then a few coats of orange, then a few coats of clear. I did this to my model 65 and it works great.

If you don't like it, it comes off using some acetone.

I’ll grab some pics of the other side tomorrow. The only reason I had to believe it was refinished - there is a slight nick on the front blade - it is perfectly black inside - it also didn’t look like permablue. The roll marks look crisp to me and I didn’t see any other indications.

I’ll kick around the idea of the nail paint before sending it off.

Great find and congratulations.