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03-11-2015, 02:26 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Virginia
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Any ballpark values for my .32 Safety Hammerless New Departure
Hi. New to the forum here and looking for some guidance.
I have a .32 safety hammerless First Model New Departure SN 8408x. Shipped from the factory on May 13, 1898 to Folsom Arms Co, NYNY. 3.5" barrel in superb condition. It is completely engraved by Jim Lowe of Tiffany's in Richmond VA. He also engraved Ivory Grips and 24k inletted S&W medallions. The case Hardening is still visible on the trigger. No original box, but we do have the Official S&W letter/certificate from Roy Jinks, S&W Historian confirming the history of this great little gun. Any idea of the value? I will try to attach photos again, I believe they are too high res for this site. I can send them via email if someone can help. I was only able to attach 1 of several photos - when I try to add another it just over-rights the old one but still only allows one. I can email all if requested.
Thanks!
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03-11-2015, 01:02 PM
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Absent Comrade US Veteran SWCA Founding Member
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
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Welcome to the Forum. Your 1st Model Safety is an attractive gun, however it's value is going to be in the eyes of the purchaser only, as apparently the nice engraving is not factory, but after market, which many collectors will not consider as a collectable, being non factory. Medallion grips were not available when your gun was made so their "WOW" factor may not interest period collectors, and being modern ivory may cause a problem with the current enforcement of laws banning sale of ivory that can subject the gun to seizure by authorities. True market value can only be estimated by placing the gun in a large auction, at no reserve. Good Luck, Ed.
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03-11-2015, 10:03 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2015
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32 safety hammerless
Hi, and thank you for the reply. I figured it would be best to take to a large auction. This gun meets the US Fish & Wildlife and CITES exemptions for lawfully imported ivory. It was imported prior to Feb 26, 1976 and has not been sold prior to Feb 25, 2014. So the import is fine. Also - for interstate commerce we are good because the exemption states it is good to sell across state lines as long as it was legally imported (established above) prior to the African Elephant being added to the CITES appendix I , Jan 18, 1990. So the legalities are good on it, because it was legally imported in 1972, and has not been sold since that time. It is a complex set of laws, but ones I deal with frequently.
I think to maximize the value, this needs to go to a large venue with wide exposure. It is a beautiful gun, but mostly to a small group of collectors. Is there a 'for sale' topic on this forum? I will look around to see if there is - not trying to be lazy - I am just new to the community.
Thanks again for the comments - it has certainly helped us decide which direction to take.
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03-12-2015, 11:26 AM
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US Veteran
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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You may well know this, but you will lose 20% of your sales price to the auction house as the seller's premiums are high. Interesting Safety and as Ed stated, it almost impossible to determine what it will sell for, it could go very high or very low. Good luck and let us know what it eventually sells for.
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Gary
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05-23-2017, 08:30 PM
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This gun was engraved by JJ Roberts. The grips were made by Jim Lowe.
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05-24-2017, 08:07 AM
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S&W Historian
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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Welcome to the forum.
I think, based on the information provided, your piece would bring $2000 to $3000.00. I would think twice before I sold anything with an auction house.
You'd do much better having a dealer put it on an online site. Good luck.
Don Mundell Assistant Historian S&WHF
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Don Mundell
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