I've lived with it, but I know this isn't "correct" in terms of standard 727 functionality. Suggestions, appreciated! Thx

Time to adjust the NSS?

Linkage/cable slightly out of adjustment is where I'd start.

Check for worn/missing plastic bushings in the shift linkage.

Bad neutral safety switch?

This is probably the case. As a side note, I remember my uncle always had Fords as I was growing up in the 60's. It was standard procedure to sit behind the wheel, reach over and pull up on the shifter with your left hand, and turn the key with the right.

Bad neutral safety switch.

Shift linkage adjustment. Park is touchier than neutral.

The linkage can easily be verified by disconnecting it and putting the trans lever in Park. If it magically cranks look at the bushings / linkage adjustment. If it doesn't you may have a mismatched NSS or broken rooster comb

That failure tree has several branches. Could be a bad neutral start switch, missing switch, wiring failure, internal failure inside the transmission, etc.

A visual check is the first thing. See if the wiring is hooked up, is the switch installed, etc. You can check the switch for operation with a voltmeter. If the switch isn't working it could be a bad switch or it could be a busted rooster comb. Might need to pull the pan off the transmission if the string of clues leads you there.

If it starts in Neutral, the wiring and switch would have to be OK

That’s usually the case.

Linkage has new bushings and has been adjusted for clean engagement from P to 1... thinking it's the NSS now. Thx

all the NSS does is complete the ground circuit to the starter relay, allowing the relay to energize the starter circuit.
if it starts in neutral but not in park, the switch is good.
that leaves only the linkage adjustment or the rooster comb as problem areas to address.
the NSS may need to be tightened a little more, or the wiring inspected to be sure the shift linkage is not inadvertently "moving" the plug a little. that tidbit cost me more than a few hairs to be lost before discovering that.

Yes, the pic below shows the contact points that ground the switch, Park is the top arrow and Neutral is the bottom arrow. If it starts in Neutral but not Park, the linkage is preventing the roostercomb from traveling far enough to make contact.

With what he and others are saying

The switch doesn't know or care what position the shifter is in only that the contact point is depressed or touching the rooster comb to ground the signal wire. There are different rooster combs as well.
tightening the switch as MOPARX suggested and if possible may do the trick. The attached pic is a generic 727 valve Body but shows the two points that ground / depress the contact.
Second pic is of a 3 pin NSS with the center pin being the contact point.

Disconnect the linkage at the trans and manually put the trans lever in park and see if it starts. Real easy check.

You treed me with the post & pic John 🍻

Suggested that earlier but🙄?????

The NSS doesn't have different positions for P and N. It is simply an on/off switch that the rooster comb inside the trans actuates.