I've been considering adding a Hi-Power to my collection for quite a while. I usually buy NIB and all of my guns are shot... but I do baby them and keep them in great shape.

Once I get a gun, I plan to keep it (I've never let one go.)

My question is this... Does having a "special edition" marking on a gun have a positive or negative long term effect on the value of a gun. The assumption is that it is tasteful and not extravagant.

Specifically, I can get a NIB 75th (1935-2010) anniversary Hi-Power for the same costs as a vanilla model.

What are the thoughts on the choice given that I will shoot it, but want something that will maintain its value in the long term?

Seems to me that a "Special Edition" is, pretty much, the same as a commemorative. To sell a commemorative, first you got to find someone that wants THAT gun (while there might be 50 people looking for a Winchester 94, there might only be one that would be interested in a gold-plated one honoring Buffalo Bill, which lowers your prospective customer base considerably.) And then, the gun has to be brand new, in the box, all the paperwork, never even had the action worked, no lines or scratches or wear-marks.

If it is not absolutely NIB, then not only has it no collector value, but since it is marked up, somehow, it a way that was important to you (musta been, since you bought it like that) but isn't important to me (the prospective buyer), then it is worth even less than a comparable un-marked gun.

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I always take precautions

I am no expert. I don't care for "commemorative" guns. On the other hand. I have one of the original Dan Wesson Razorbacks. I was an instigator in that project and thus have a sentimental connection to the guns.

The original 150 have a subtle laser engraved "hawg" emblem on the frame,and the notation #X of 150 on the slide, no other specific markings to indicate what it is.
In my case, the serial # was my badge number.

I like mine, but I doubt there will be much of a clamor to get one original 150 unless a person is a very picky collector of Dan Wesson's.

Without my sentimental connection, I wouldn't pay more for another one if it came along than I would for a "run of the mill" model.
In fact I would have to say that I would not pay more for any "special edition" marked gun and probably would not buy it for that reason unless it was a "screaming bargain."

+1 to Alpo, he nailed it, I do not buy special edition or anything like that unless as Iggy says it is a fantastic bargin. From your own comments you will shoot it. To me if that kind of firearm has been shot it will be worth less than a plain garden variety.
Glen

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NRA Life 1969
OGCA

There are general rules, but some exceptions. Generally shooting folks don't want or like the entire class. Some have gawdy stuff like gold plating where it shouldn't be. Others just have terrible scars, like laser engraving that doesn't seem to be particularly enduring. One of the general rules is commemoratives are worth less than the same gun without all the glitter. Of course there are exceptions.

I'm a little more familiar with Colt SAA commemoratives. They're basically a loser, with Winchesters a close second. They tried to force or push the market by making and trying to sell a blue million of them. The unsuspecting folks they took in were left holding something no one else wanted on the secondary market. I don't feel S&W has done much better.

I now avoid them. I have one, the Border Patrol model along with the Randall knife with the same badge #. I paid too much when I bought it, and I still don't know if I can get my money out of it. But the knife and gun are still nice.

My advice to anyone looking would be to buy one and make it into a shooter if it can be had for less that a similar, unscared gun.

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Dick Burg

+1 with Alpo crowd. To me special editions and commemoratives to remain desireable have to remain untouched, unturned and unfired. The minute you fire one it's collectability is gone. Even the new untouched ones you have to find that one buyer who is willing to buy it. I avoid them.

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Dick

I think that you guys have confirmed my gut feelings about the value of the commemorative guns once they've been shot.

I think that I'll stick to a "garden variety" Hi-Power when I make my move.

Thanks for the comments.

BTW, I think that I'm also going to skip the "Mickey and Minnie Mouse" commemorative Colts and the "engraved with inlaid gold" Glocks that I've seen on a major gun auction site.

I have never really cared for all the "writin" that seems to be plastered all over the commeratives. Now, having said that, I would love to see what that special edition "Smith and Wesson Collectors Assn" gun looks like. I didn't even know it existed until about a week ago as I was perusing the SCSW 3rd edition. It can't remember if it was called a commerative. But apparently it was created in honor of the association. Anybody here got one?

Roger

Only my opinion but all commemoratives, special editions, and contrived collectibles, manufactured and marketed as such, are contemptible.

I got this 99% 29-5 back in January for $500 even. The guy was glad to get it. Isn't worth any more to me with the "personalization." Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Now that you mention it... I have wondered about a Kimber I bought new several years ago. It is marked Special Edition and Pro Tactical II. Other Kimbers I have seen look exactly like mine but are marked Tactical Pro II rather than Pro Tactical II. Is there any difference other than the reversed name and Special Edition markings? Kimber doesn't note anything about it on their web site that I have found.

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I really wanted a S&W model 544 becuase of the caliber, but I wanted one to shoot. I'd seen a few that were in collector condition that weren't priced all that bad, but I decided to leave those for the collectors. I eventually found one that had never been fired but did have a turn line on the cylinder, and it was about $100 less than a normal N frame in a presentation case.

I recently bought two limited edition Henry rifles for a song because nobody wanted them. I've been using both as farm guns.

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You are what you learn.