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01-10-2013, 08:26 PM
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.38 Pearl Handle Antique
Carried by US Marine Officer possibly while stationed in Panama during Panama Canal Constuction. Is there any way to confirm age and worth?
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01-10-2013, 09:18 PM
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Location: Marysville Wa.
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Beautiful find WQ* I love it!
Cant wait to learn the history.
.. I think I might have his little brother
----> ~ Please help me identify ~
~ Joe
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01-10-2013, 09:42 PM
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If that serial number is 1994XX, and if the gun is a .38 Special, then it was shipped
in 1912. The grips are not original to the gun, and the pictures are not of a high enough
quality for me to be able to tell whether its been refinished, although my guess is that
it has been refinished.
If the gun was originally shipped to a dealer, or store, or wholesaler, then its value is
less than $300. If it was shipped to a Military officer, who was known to have
served in Panama, then that kind of provenance is worth something.
Mike Priwer
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01-11-2013, 01:09 PM
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I know it was carried by usmc officer. His late daughter was a family friend. I know he was in panama during canal construction. I can only infer that carried it while there.
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01-11-2013, 06:48 PM
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US Veteran
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikepriwer
If it was shipped to a Military officer, who was known to have
served in Panama, then that kind of provenance is worth something.
Mike Priwer
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I assume you own the revolver, and if so, make sure to gather and document as much information as you can about the prior military owner. If the family has photographs in uniform and in Panama, try to get copies and add to the documentation. Have a family member authenticate the documents with a signature and tuck the info away for a future re-sale. As Mike says provenance if worth something, but only if you can prove it.
As for the link to the Panama Canal, it was completed August 15, 1914, the timeframe of the gun is correct. It could have been purchased from any S&W dealer or shipped direct to the first owner. Only a factory letter will document where the gun was shipped.
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01-14-2013, 09:45 PM
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Thanks for all the advice. My inclination is to trade for a more modern mode of personal protection. Would I stand my best chance at a gun show? There is one soon in my area. I need to know what I can reasonably ask for it, in trade.
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01-14-2013, 11:29 PM
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A dealer at a gunshow might offer you a hundred bucks, and a private sale at the same show might get you twice that amount. If the gun has the sort of provenance you suspect, it could be well worth your time to get all the documentation you can get your hands on.
The pics are a little too dark for us to be able to give an accurate judgement on the condition of the gun, and to be able to tell whether or not it's been refinished.
That's my two cents worth anyway....
Mark
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