I would appreciate some advice on this treasure, auction or consignment? Set price or buy now? As you can tell this is all new to me. I have been procrastinating for some time now due to my ignorance in this procedure. What price do you feel I might be looking at?
Serial number is #420, metal case is in good shape! Any suggestions would be helpful....thanks! Annie

Well...As you might already know good pictures are a must! And then post them here! Sorry I am no help but I do think you will need to post pictures here to get good advise. If you decide to auction it have the starting bid be where you are willing to sell it and see what happens. No bids in a month and you will know you are too high.
Ed

Value of this model depends entirely on condition of the gun, tools & box. Good pictures of all is a must in order to give you any idea of where the value range might be. For top dollar, everything must be 100% like new original condition, and value would then fall into the $2,500+ range. If there's any wear to the gun's finish or to the box, or missing tools, value can drop to $1,000 range quickly. An auction get you a quick payoff, less the seller's commission. A consignment can take an indefinite time, depending on how fast a the seller can move the gun at a fair price, less commission. Probably a direct sale, through this Forum's "Want to Sell" category is the quickest, if priced fairly for it's condition. Ed.

I paid $135 for my first one (#128) 58 years ago---with case/tools (wrong screwdriver)---very spiffy gun---not counting the grip straps (the victim of "acid hands"). Hey!!---It was my second S&W, and I was young and dumb. That said, I still have it----old and dumb now??

I paid somewhere between $1,200-$1,300 (as best I recall) for my second one (#1577) maybe 18-20 years ago at the Las Vegas winter show. It's brand new with case and tools. The best part of this one is the story: Here it sits on someone's 6 to 8 table spread of FINE S&W's and COLTS. It is far and away the best SL I've ever seen---also the highest priced---at $2,650. There was no question it was going home with me----only for how much. "What's the best you can do on the price?" The nice lady told me I'd have to talk to her husband, and "He's out on the floor---can you come back?" "Yes ma'am." Then, "Oh, wait---maybe it's in the book!" She retrieves the book. "Yes---here it is----$1,250." I couldn't believe my ears!! I very quickly gave her the money, grabbed the gun, and left----very, very quickly---before Hubby returns. I figure "the book" shows his cost. I figure the Mrs is going to get an ear full from Hubby. I figure it's Hubby's own damn fault for leaving her alone without a tutorial on "the book"----and I hope she told him as much!!

Your help is only as good as their training.

Ralph Tremaine

"Straightline22" is our resident expert on these guns. I would email or PM him through the forum and he should be able to educate you on the value of your package. He might also be your best chance for a buyer as he collects these.

Should he pass, you could take his estimate of value and place the gun for sale here in the For Sale section as this is the best place to find S&W collectors on the interweb.

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James Redfield
LM #497