What is this 38Sp worth?

Bwaite7913 · #1 06-08-2018, 08:35 AM

My neighbor's husband passed away and she has 38 special that she would like to sell. She will not do a private sale because she is afraid that some bad guy will get the gun. So I told her I would get an estimate of its worth and advise her as to how to get

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IMG_1007.JPG rid of it. It has a 2" barrel; 5 shot, blue steel; Obviously, S&W; Serial # 5.9.632. Pix attached. Can anyone help on value and best way to dispose of it?

MSG Glenn · #2 06-08-2018, 08:52 AM

Welcome from Wisconsin!

I'm sorry I can't help you with your question. Guns I've sold in the past were always sold to friends or relatives.

k22fan · #3 06-08-2018, 09:04 AM

Under federal law she can sell it to a private party without doing any paper work or even the buyer and seller exchanging names. Some states like Washington require most transfers pass through a retail dealer so that the transaction is entered into the state's computer. Some places like New York require pistols to be registered and require government approval before a transfer. Either inquire about your local laws or do not publicize the sale on the internet.

The easy way to be sure it is sold legally is to sell it to a gun store. However, they will probably want to double their money when they resell it so they do not pay much.

It is a very early Chief's Special that many collectors here would love to have. She would do better advertising it in the classifieds here. Assuming it sold across state lines, under federal law she would have to either ship it by private carrier to the buyer's federally licensed dealer (store) or pay a local store to mail it to a store in the buyer's area. Your local store can advise you on local requirements. Since they can mail it for half of what a private carrier will charge you, having a store mail it does not necessarily cost more.

In a state with favorable laws I'd just advertise it locally then sell it with a hand shake. Before the internet that's how most guns were sold.

Andy Lowry · #4 06-08-2018, 09:08 AM

If the serial is 59632, that's a Chiefs Special from the early 50's. She could advertise it here in the "guns for sale" section and have it sent to the buyer through a licensed firearms dealer on both ends, which means the buyer would have to go through the standard background check.

It looks to be in pretty nice shape, and the grips look original. Probably worth $500, maybe more with more detailed photos to check the condition.

Jim NNN · #5 06-08-2018, 12:52 PM

Consignment with an FFL dealer (who will follow legal procedures and create a paper trail) seems to be the way to go. I have a local store that will consign for me at only a 10% fee, but he isn't a big store, and will often not be willing to consign something if it will compete with his existing stock, which is understandable.

She should be prepared to pay something more like a 20 to 25% fee for consigning at most places. That gun should be perceived as very marketable by most FFL dealers. Keep in mind that many dealers won't consign, though.

MCorps0311 · #6 06-08-2018, 04:20 PM

Welcome......

mrsig · #7 06-08-2018, 05:25 PM

Welcome from Tampa.

Bwaite7913 · #8 06-08-2018, 09:31 PM

Thank you for your input. I will discuss with her.

Muss Muggins · #9 06-09-2018, 12:30 PM

Welcome from the bootheel of Missouri, the Show Me State and the heart of flyover country . . .

(Nice pistol, by the way)

S&W Oldtimer · #10 06-09-2018, 02:38 PM

Welcome from Va.

OLDSTER · #11 06-09-2018, 06:14 PM

Welcome from North Dakota

rwt1405 · #12 06-10-2018, 07:26 PM

Welcome from Delaware!

snubbyfan · #13 06-10-2018, 08:07 PM

Peak53 · #14 06-10-2018, 08:48 PM

More than $500. Looks like a gem of a Baby Chief. That is probably not the correct serial number which should appear on the butt of the frame. Advertise here for $600 with more pics and it will be gone in a day.