Howdy folks,
Need some opinions. Today I found a nickel finish .38Spl Model of 1905 4th Change. The last patent date is 1914. Condition I would estimate at 90-95% original finish. Grips are original and show no wear whatsoever. The thing is gorgeous. I probably shouldn't spend the money right now, but I have a hunch this thing is worth a lot more than it's tagged at. Pricetag is $350. What do you think? Is it worth it? No pics yet, sorry. Thanks for the help.

IF truly gorgeous, that would be a great buy.

"Gorgeous", however, does not fit with "90-95%". A gun missing 10% of it's finish can be a REAL ugly gun.........

Another question is - where is the missing finish located ? Is it all in
one place, or just general wear on the high spots, etc ?

I assume the gun is an M&P, and not a target. And its probably a square-butt ?

These guns are not rare - not by a long shot. They are close to being as
common as sand.

I would say the gun is probably priced about right. You might be able to
sell it for another $100, but I would think that is about all.

Later, Mike Priwer

There's no possible way anyone would ever think the word ugly about this one. I didn't say there was any finish missing and I never implied it was rare. The only reason I say 90% or better is that the finish, while completely intact, is no longer smooth as a mirror (but close). There is no flaking at all, only a minor darkened spot on the back of the grip. There is not what I would call "pitting" but the finish does not sparkle to the point that one would suspect a refinish. In fact, I am positive it is not a refinish. So, I would almost be comfortable placing the condition at 98% but I didn't want to overstate it. I realize the 1905 is not rare at all, but to find one with no trace of ever being fired must command some premium. The butt is square and yes, it is an M&P with 4" pencil barrel. Lockup is better than a brand new modern revolver.

I think Mike is being generous. The gun sounds like about a $250 gun, compared to AZ prices at gun shows there. $350 in CA, yes, but it's not in CA.

Ok guys, quick question. Do you not agree with the pricing in the Blue Book of Gun Values at all? Because we are WAY off on what the 2008 book prices this gun at.

May I ask what the Blue book say it should be worth. I've never looked at the Blue book other than for a laugh, it's the most consistently off source I think you can find and is favored by many sellers at gun shows. I would not think your hurting yourself at 350.00, and if the gun is really calling you then bring it home. That dull look to nickle is sometimes the result of to much shirt sleeve polishing.Please post a picture if you get it.

Keith

Keith, I'll try to get some numbers from the book. I'll have to borrow it again. To give some idea though, it hit 1000 in the upper conditions. Even 80% as I recall was over 500. I did not want to use the word pitting, but "technically" you could say that the surface has extremely minor pitting (like, scratches under a magnifying glass). So really dull is not the way I would describe it either. It has a brilliant luster, it's just that the finish has some barely detectable pits (but again, I don't like to use that word to describe it). You'd have to see it to understand the level I am talking about. Unfortunately I don't own it and I'm not the kind to take a camera into the shop with me. I doubt that would be appreciated.

Lets see...A 4" 4th change in nickel...

If its 90%, its a $250 gun...

If its 98%+, its $700-$800 maybe a little more or less depending on where in the range, (is it a 1916 gun or a 1942 gun) ... as long as all S/N match.

If its in the box add $100+/-...

Oh and "Blue Book pricing" and "S&W" typically don't belong in the same sentence.

Disclaimer...this opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you think its gorgeous...buy it. Who cares what the neighbors say. Besides, sounds like you're not gonna go wrong for $350.

+1.

Hey, you like it, and at $350 what the heck. Sounds good to me!

If you like it, buy it. But don't ever let anything in the Blue Book about S&W sway you when it comes to values. The only thing the Blue Book is good for is to show a sucker that the book says $1000 and you are asking $700 for a $500 S&W, and let him beat you down to $650!

I paid $425 for this one about two years ago. Unfired in the original maroon display box with papers. At the time I thought I paid too much.

What say you now?

I would say two things Ving:
1) The one I found is identical in condition to yours minus the box.
2)Times change. All gun values have spiked the last few years. You got a very good deal on that gun. Some dealers haven't caught up yet on pricing Smith revolvers. There was a mentality several years ago that obviously still persists which says that all K frames are worth $250 plus a modest premium for excellent condition. Dealers don't have daily access to collectors, so they don't make any effort to fetch full value on great specimens. You got a very good deal. I guarantee you won't sell that gun for what you paid for it. Bit of a double standard going on here. I haven't seen an excellent K-Frame retail for less than 300 for the last two years guys. If the rest of you are still making private sales for 250, then bully for you. But in most shops times have changed. All gun values are a good bit higher than they were even a couple years ago. 250 is ridiculously outdated.

If you really think this gun is dramatically underpriced, buy it and then try to resell it.
See what you can get for it.

This has been a confusing thread. The nickel gun was first described as 90 to 95%. Subsequently
it was described as possibly 98%. Now its being compared as identical to this blue one, that
appears to be almost mint.

I don't know what the real condition of the gun is. And there is a suggestion about a double
standard, in the pricing of K-frames. Buy it and try to resell it - that ought to answer the
question.

Even mint mint .38 M&P's , without a box, will not command a really hight price. As I indicated
earlier, there is a lot of M&P's . Not all are mint mint, only a few. Because of the sheer
number of K-frames, its only the important ones that get the big prices. Otherwise, its just a
very nice example.

Its a bit unfair to say what I am going to say, but it captures the idea. The only thing
rarer than a mint mint .38 M&P is a mint mint .38 M&P collector. There are just too many 95% to
98% guns around.

Later, Mike Priwer

quote:

Originally posted by Vinglator:
I paid $425 for this one about two years ago. Unfired in the original maroon display box with papers. At the time I thought I paid too much.

What say you now?

1) About 2 years ago you paid top dollar.
2) Its a 6" blue, not a 4" nickel

________________________________________________
"The only thing rarer than a mint mint .38 M&P is a mint mint .38 M&P collector."

Later, Mike Priwer
________________________________________________

Thats the nicest thing I've been called today

Not a disagreement, but a different view...in my eyes, 95% to 98% is not a mint gun. Truly mint examples will and do hold higher regard and command higher prices. The condition itself becomes the rarity. These were the working mans gun. The were bought and used. Yes there were millions made but how many 60 to 90 year old guns are in that 99% range. That said, even mint, we're still talking about only $600-$800 guns. A far cry from the $3K-$5K a beat up RM is getting.

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