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Description
Introduced in 1935 by Smith & Wesson, the Model 27 Revolver was first known as the Registered Magnum and was essentially a custom-order revolver. Barrel lengths could be had in 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) increments from 3+1⁄2 to 8+3⁄4 inches (8.9 to 22.2 cm) inches in length. In addition to the different lengths of barrels available, there were different grips, front sights, triggers, hammers, and finishes available. Each Registered Magnum came with a certificate of authenticity. Even though it was introduced right in the middle of the Great Depression (1929 - 1941) and was extremely expensive, Smith & Wesson found itself backlogged with orders for the four years that it produced the Registered Magnum.

The Kansas City Police Department issued the Registered Magnum to its officers, and many other law enforcement officers across the United States carried the Registered Magnum. In 1939, Smith & Wesson stopped producing the Registered Magnum. It was replaced with the Model 27, which was available with barrel lengths of 3+1⁄2, 5, 6+1⁄2, and 8+3⁄4 inches (8.9, 12.7, 16.5, and 22.2 cm). It has been reported that these were the most popular barrel lengths for the Registered Magnum. Essentially, the Model 27 was still the Registered Magnum but standardized for ease of production and economy.

Noted for its durability and reliability, the 31⁄2-inch barrel length was extremely popular with FBI agents from the 1940s through the 1970s. Skeeter Skelton considered the Model 27 with a 5-inch barrel as the best all-around handgun. During WW2, General George S. Patton carried an ivory-handled Registered Magnum with a 31⁄2-inch barrel alongside his Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Patton considered this gun, his "killing gun".

In 1954, the Model 28 was introduced. It was basically a Model 27, but lower cost and stripped of some of the features of the Model 27, such as polishing. This gun was known as the "Highway Patrolman" and it saw use with the Florida Highway Patrol, the Georgia State Patrol, the Idaho State Police, the Maine State Police, the New York State Police, the San Francisco Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Washington State Patrol, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The Model 28 was in production until 1986. The Model 27, continued production until 1994 and later re-entered production in 2008.

Description
Introduced in 1935 by Smith & Wesson, the Model 27 Revolver was first known as the Registered Magnum and was essentially a custom-order revolver. Barrel lengths could be had in 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) increments from 3+1⁄2 to 8+3⁄4 inches (8.9 to 22.2 cm) inches in length. In addition to the different lengths of barrels available, there were different grips, front sights, triggers, hammers, and finishes available. Each Registered Magnum came with a certificate of authenticity. Even though it was introduced right in the middle of the Great Depression (1929 - 1941) and was extremely expensive, Smith & Wesson found itself backlogged with orders for the four years that it produced the Registered Magnum.

The Kansas City Police Department issued the Registered Magnum to its officers, and many other law enforcement officers across the United States carried the Registered Magnum. In 1939, Smith & Wesson stopped producing the Registered Magnum. It was replaced with the Model 27, which was available with barrel lengths of 3+1⁄2, 5, 6+1⁄2, and 8+3⁄4 inches (8.9, 12.7, 16.5, and 22.2 cm). It has been reported that these were the most popular barrel lengths for the Registered Magnum. Essentially, the Model 27 was still the Registered Magnum but standardized for ease of production and economy.

Noted for its durability and reliability, the 31⁄2-inch barrel length was extremely popular with FBI agents from the 1940s through the 1970s. Skeeter Skelton considered the Model 27 with a 5-inch barrel as the best all-around handgun. During WW2, General George S. Patton carried an ivory-handled Registered Magnum with a 31⁄2-inch barrel alongside his Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Patton considered this gun, his "killing gun".

In 1954, the Model 28 was introduced. It was basically a Model 27, but lower cost and stripped of some of the features of the Model 27, such as polishing. This gun was known as the "Highway Patrolman" and it saw use with the Florida Highway Patrol, the Georgia State Patrol, the Idaho State Police, the Maine State Police, the New York State Police, the San Francisco Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Washington State Patrol, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The Model 28 was in production until 1986. The Model 27, continued production until 1994 and later re-entered production in 2008.