I have a couple of questions to help me with my new hobby of S&W accumulation.

How much does an agency, like police department, markings effect value? I recently spotted a 1905 with Police Dept. Newport on the back strap. It is in good mechanical shape but only about 50% of a factory refinish. Newer grips from the late 60's. Grip frame stamped 2-15-67. Anyway it was kinda neat with the Dept markings, which looked factory, but at 275 seems high for an otherwise 150 dollar gun.

My budget generally runs pretty tight so my interest has been on pre-war K frames. Of the two I own the rear sight notches are different as are side plate and frame markings. One only has a small trade mark on the left side the other has no frame markings. It looks like if I wanted to attempt to aquire one of each standard barrel length and grip shape for blue and nickle finish for each of the 'in model' variations I could be busy for quite a while. What is the best reference book to help me in this endeavor?

Last Q and sorry for the long post. Thursday I found two I frames with the extended pat.1917 stocks. Both had been re-nickled and not by Smith and Wesson. In general terms what should these go for? Say 90% refinish condition with excellent grips?

TIA

Brian

Brian,

There are some that collect police marked guns and accessories. They will bring a slight premium to one of these people. To others, the stampings will actually reduce its worth to them, unless it was factory stamped. Personally, if I like the gun, I don't care one way or the other if it's stamped.

Yes, the later pre-war rear sights were flattened to make them easier to see, and the front sights were made wider. The early ones (pre-ww1) didn't have the 'Made in USA' stamp. The size and location of the S&W stamp changed several times, and sometimes it's missing altogether.

As to the I frames, .32s will probably bring a little more than .38s due to greater ammo availability. Unless done correctly, I wouldn't want one that had been refinished. I wouldn't expect them to bring more than $150 or so, although I've seen them listed (but not sold) for much, much more.

Just my opinion,
Chris

I'll take a stab at your questions. Police marked K Frames can actually increase the collect ability. There are collectors that specialize in police marked firearms. It also gives you a "very large" area for your collecting. Keep in mind that many police dept's didn't mark their guns. The research for who owned the gun is half the fun of collecting and you may find one which belonged to a famous person.

Unless it is actually junk, a reasonably tight functional shooter K Frame will bring over $200 with no finish left. Attend several gun shows and look at the prices and scroll through Gunbroker and Auction Arms. Also prices at gun shows are artificially high expecting you to haggle it down. I see a lot of 50% Mod 10's over $300 with rubber grips.

The best S&W reference book is the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson 3rd edition. It is the "bible". Also there are several other books written by Roy Jinks.

The I Frames are most probably "Regulation Police. These go for from $200 to $400. They are in 38 S&W, not 38 Special. There is also a .32 Regulation Police. I really like the I frames, and often can be found in fairly good condition for reasonable prices.

Usually a "refinish" will reduce the collectors value by nearly 50%. Collectors want the original finish, and would prefer honest wear of a "cared for" old gun over a bright shiny refinished gun.