Lot 388

Factory "Pinto" Finish Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 .357 Magnum

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Factory "Pinto" Finish Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 .357 Magnum

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,500

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent Factory Special Order Two-Tone "Pinto" Finish Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver with Box and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1955, this is a highly desirable example of Smith & Wesson's Pre-Model 27 .357 Magnum revolver with the attractive factory two-tone "pinto" finish built on the 5-screw frame. It is unknown exactly how many of these revolvers were produced with "pinto" finish but they are significantly more rare than full-blue or full-nickel finished variations. The included factory letter lists the revolver with an 8 3/8 inch barrel, target hammer, bright blue and nickel finish, and rosewood target square butt grips when shipped to Rex Firearms Co. in New York City on 5 October 1955 as part of a ten-gun shipment of revolvers in this configuration. Rex Firearms was a high end firearms dealer in New York and was one of the best places in the country to buy a highly embellished, deluxe Smith & Wesson such as this one. Knowledgeable collectors note that Rex Firearms Co. was a large distributor for Smith & Wesson, but that much of their focus was on special ordered, non-standard arms, such as special finishes and engraved guns, including a large number of "pintos". The revolver has the standard Smith & Wesson markings as well as the matching serial number on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, front face of the ejector star, and in the ejector shroud housing. The matching assembly number is on the frame and crane. It is fitted with a ramped blade front sight with orange insert, adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of smooth rosewood grips with "S&W" monogram medallions. Includes a plain blue box that is hand-numbered to the consecutive gun (S151264) and hand-marked with the matching specifications of the gun in white wax pencil.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: 357 Magnum

BBL: 8 3/8 inch solid rib

Gauge: 357 Magnum

Finish: blue/nickel

Grips: rosewood

Serial NumberS151263

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Excellent, retaining 98% plus of the original nickel plating with slight frosting in a couple areas, 99% plus of the original blue finish, and 99% of the original case colors on the hammer and trigger with a few scattered light scratches and a cylinder turn line. The grips are excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some mild edge/corner wear. A rare special ordered Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000